What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grant Accountant position at CFS?
Title: Portfolio & Grant Accountant
Location: Hybrid, New Haven County
Compensation: Up to $100,000 strong benefit package
Why This Role Stands Out
Our Client is a highly respected, research-driven institution with a growing and sophisticated sponsored research portfolio. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with faculty and research leadership, manage complex funding structures, and contribute meaningfully to a mission-driven organization that values collaboration, stability, and professional growth.
This is an excellent opportunity for a grant or research finance professional who enjoys complex portfolios, strategic financial analysis, and trusted-advisor responsibility—all within a well-resourced, collegial environment.
Position Overview
Reporting to senior finance leadership, this role provides financial oversight and strategic support for a complex portfolio of sponsored and non-sponsored funds. The position partners closely with faculty and research administration teams and supports both pre- and post-award activities, with potential staff supervision depending on scope.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Analysis & Reporting
Location: Hybrid, New Haven County
Compensation: Up to $100,000 strong benefit package
Why This Role Stands Out
Our Client is a highly respected, research-driven institution with a growing and sophisticated sponsored research portfolio. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with faculty and research leadership, manage complex funding structures, and contribute meaningfully to a mission-driven organization that values collaboration, stability, and professional growth.
This is an excellent opportunity for a grant or research finance professional who enjoys complex portfolios, strategic financial analysis, and trusted-advisor responsibility—all within a well-resourced, collegial environment.
Position Overview
Reporting to senior finance leadership, this role provides financial oversight and strategic support for a complex portfolio of sponsored and non-sponsored funds. The position partners closely with faculty and research administration teams and supports both pre- and post-award activities, with potential staff supervision depending on scope.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Lead financial analysis, forecasting, and reporting for large, complex portfolios
- Prepare and present budget-to-actuals, forecasts, and strategic financial recommendations
- Manage multiple budgets with varying funding levels, start/end dates, overhead rates, and cost-allowability rules
- Identify portfolio-level risks and opportunities and proactively advise stakeholders
- Support monthly financial review processes and corrective actions as needed
- Ensure adherence to institutional policies and sponsor regulations across all financial activity
- Review and approve expenditures for allowability, allocability, and documentation
- Maintain fiscal integrity of assigned portfolios and advise faculty on policy interpretation
- Monitor funding changes, renewals, and closeouts
- Provide strategic oversight across multiple awards and funding sources
- Review and interpret sponsor applications, award notices, and terms and conditions
- Manage submissions, modifications, extensions, and required post-award reports
- Support pre-award planning in partnership with research administration teams
- Partner with internal business offices, central administration, external institutions, and sponsors
- Advise on effort allocation strategies, spending patterns, and alternative funding approaches
- Cultivate strong working relationships with faculty, principal investigators, and leadership
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field
- 4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong financial analysis, budgeting, and data-mining skills
- Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and sponsor guidelines
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Experience with grants and contracts administration or sponsored research
- Familiarity with enterprise financial systems (e.g., Workday Financials or similar)
- Experience supporting externally sponsored awards (e.g., federal or foundation funding)
Salary : $85,000 - $100,000