Research Financial Analyst

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for the expenditure review, analysis of financial transactions, sponsor financial reporting, and award closeout for a portfolio of sponsored awards. The Research Financial Analyst works within a sub-team to provide focused support to their assigned departments throughout the lifecycle of their awards.

About the Work Unit:

The Research Finance Team strives for excellence in providing support and oversight in administratively managing sponsored projects, monitoring associated financial compliance requirements in accordance with sponsor regulations and university policies, and providing analytical and cost accounting expertise to the management of Vanderbilt’s research enterprise. Research Finance includes the Research Financial Analysts that provide central oversight for project expenditures, financial reconciliation, financial reporting, and award closeout. The department includes Research Accountants that perform invoicing, cash management, and accounts receivable management and Data and Cost Analysts that perform cost accounting activities and institutional research reporting as well as award setup and effort certification compliance oversight. 
 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Provides focused support to departments and Principal Investigators throughout the award life cycle.
• Reviews expenditures, analyzes financial transactions, prepares sponsor financial reports, and performs award closeouts for a portfolio of awards.
• Analyzes, resolves, and responds to problems involving expenditure management, award closeout, and sponsor financial reporting.
• Performs financial reconciliation of awards.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of university and sponsor policies and procedures regarding expenditures, award closeouts, and sponsor financial reporting.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements and changes to policies and procedures to facilitate automation and fully utilize system capabilities.
• Task management in the Microsoft-based task tracking environment, including being a proficient user, adapting to software changes, and keeping pace with training and expectations.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Director of Research Finance. 

Education and Certifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.

• A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting or finance is preferred.

• Work experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree. 

Experience and Skills:

• Skill in intermediate Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications is necessary.

• Experience with Task Management Software and various Microsoft 365 applications is preferred.

• Time management skills and the ability to work well in a team environment is necessary.

• Experience in higher education with a focus in research compliance and/or financial administration in a research university, academic medical center, or other organization subject to an externally regulated environment is preferred.
• Proven detail-oriented work style in collaboration with effective written and verbal communication skills is necessary.

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, understanding their needs and goals is necessary. 

• Ability to work cooperatively with others as part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively, is necessary.

• Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, with individuals or groups is necessary.
• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders is necessary.