Financial Specialist Senior

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) is the home of the University of Michigan's Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health. MICHR is part of a national, collaborative consortium that is focused on delivering more treatments to all people more quickly by advancing clinical and translational science (CTS). The field of CTS aims to build an evidence base of scientific and operational approaches that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of translational research across a range of diseases and conditions. MICHR has the unique charge of examining the translational research ecosystem at a systems level to determine where common pitfalls exist; developing novel solutions to these challenges; demonstrating their effectiveness; and disseminating improvements widely. MICHR is a dynamic organization that serves as a hub of innovation and experimentation to advance research in the science of translation and accelerate the realization of interventions that improve human health. MICHR is seeking a highly skilled Financial Specialist to support the institute’s mission through accurate, compliant, and service-oriented financial operations. This role is central to ensuring strong fiscal stewardship across MICHR programs by performing timely account reconciliations, analyzing monthly variances, and preparing clear financial reports for program leaders. The Financial Specialist will support month-end and year-end financial processes, including required sponsor reporting and timely project closeouts. As a trusted resource to staff and faculty, this position will guide expense and travel procedures, accounting best practices, and proactive financial planning, while strengthening internal controls through process improvements and clear standard operating procedures. The Financial Specialist will also process and review key financial transactions (e.g., journal entries, expense reimbursements, payroll/personnel and labor distribution changes), monitor effort and salary cap compliance where applicable, and use reporting tools to deliver accurate, timely financial information—ensuring audit-ready documentation, operational efficiency, and excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

• Financial reconciliations: Reconcile accounts across multiple MICHR programs by running Statements of Activity (SOAs), validating supporting documentation, investigating discrepancies, and documenting timely resolutions in accordance with sound accounting principles. Prepare monthly financial reports for NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) training awards (T32 predoctoral/postdoctoral, K12, R25). Ensure xTrain appointments are accurate; stipends and trainee-related costs (e.g., graduate and dental care) are paid correctly; and maintain the tuition overrun tracking spreadsheet monthly.
• Financial reporting & leadership communication: Provide timely, accurate financial reports to Program Directors and managers; explain variances/outliers and recommend actions to support program financial health and prevent overdrafts
• Balance sheet & income statement review: Run monthly balance sheet and income statement reports; analyze variances and follow up to resolve issues.
• Grant and fiscal year-end reporting: Support high-quality year-end close and sponsor reporting, including the annual financial report and Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) for CTSA awards. Transfer funding for cost-sharing expenses; analyze late charges; and ensure timely closeout of MICHR institutional awards.
• Effort analysis & compliance: Monitor effort charged to appropriate chartfields to ensure alignment with award requirements. Maintain Effort Map views for assigned areas and collaborate with effort certification partners to ensure fiscal year-end compliance.
• Accounting transactions: Process journal entries; approve Emburse expense reports; and process Personnel Action Requests (PARs), PeoplePay payments, and effort changes promptly to resolve reconciliation items and inquiries.
• Budget development & management: Assist with annual budget development for MICHR grants by fund source (federal, institutional, recharge) using historical and program data. Serve as a resource to Program Directors and faculty leads during budgeting. Build and maintain budgets for non-CTSA grants.
• Customer service & guidance: Advise staff and administrators on procedures, travel, and financial matters, NIH policy requirements, acceptable accounting practices, and strategic financial planning.
• Tools & professional development: Use Business Objects and other reporting tools to analyze financial data, develop/maintain renewal-related queries, and provide accurate, timely information. Stay current on NIH processes and policy updates.
• Process improvement & internal controls: Partner with management and team members to identify efficiencies, strengthen internal controls, and maintain appropriate separation of duties. Create, update, and maintain Standard Working Instructions and related business practices.
• Recharge (cost recovery) support: Prepare and maintain consolidated recharge rate models/spreadsheets; process monthly billings; reconcile activity; and monitor balances.
• Additional responsibilities: Interpret sponsor/NIH award terms; review budgets; open, manage, reallocate, and close project/grant (P/G) accounts; manage cost-sharing funding; and produce ad hoc reports. Support contract administration, payroll analysis, equipment inventory, travel, and PCard audits, and trainee/awardee budget inquiries. Assist with pre-award activities and reporting updates. Lead or support special projects to improve reporting, analysis, and internal processes; provide backup coverage; train/mentor newer finance staff; and support internal/external audits.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial operations, accounting, grants administration, student financials, or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, compare, and evaluate multiple courses of action and determine appropriate financial/operational recommendations.
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions on matters of significance with minimal day-to-day direction, within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
• Experience managing work that materially impacts business operations (e.g., reconciliations, financial reporting, budgeting, year-end close, compliance, or similar functions) with accuracy, timeliness, and accountability.
• Familiarity with NIH awards, specifically training and mentoring grants

Preferred Qualifications

• Research/sponsored projects financial experience (post-award preferred): reconciliations, allowability, reporting, and closeout for externally funded projects.
• Ability to interpret balance sheets and income statements for a not-for-profit institution.

Day Shift