Senior Research Finance Officer

The Senior Research Finance Officer provides high-quality post-award financial management and reporting support across a portfolio of research projects, with a particular focus on year-end activities, reconciliations, funder claims, invoicing, and financial compliance. The role is responsible for ensuring that research project finances are accurately maintained throughout the year, with robust controls at month-end and year-end to support statutory reporting, audits, and funder requirements.

The post holder plays a key role in cash-flow management through the timely submission of claims and invoices and supports departments and investigators by offering clear financial advice and problem resolution. Role information:

Job title:

Senior Research Finance Officer Day Rate: £200-£250 per day

Location:

Tooting

Key Responsibilities Research Portfolio Management Take ownership of a defined portfolio of research grants and contracts, ensuring accurate financial management from account set-up through to close-down. Act as the main finance contact for Principal Investigators and departmental staff for all post-award financial matters. Monitor project spend against budget, identifying risks, variances, and corrective actions early. Year-End and Period-End Financial Support Lead and support year-end and month-end processes for research accounts, ensuring deadlines are met and balances are accurate.

Prepare and review accruals, prepayments, and deferred income relating to research projects. Support internal and external audits by providing reconciliations, evidence, and explanations as required. Reconciliations and Financial Control Prepare, maintain, and review detailed reconciliations for all research accounts within the portfolio. Investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution in line with College policies. Ensure data integrity across finance and research systems.

Funder Claims, Invoicing, and Income Management Prepare and submit funder financial claims , invoices, and expenditure statements in line with funder terms and conditions. Coordinate partner and subcontractor expenditure, ensuring claims are accurate and supported. Work closely with Credit Control to support timely income collection and cash-flow management. Journals and Adjustments Calculate and post journals, including overhead recovery, indirect and estates costs, cost transfers, and corrections.

Ensure journals are fully supported, compliant, and approved in line with financial regulations. Reporting and Data Analysis Produce regular financial reports for investigators, departments, and management. Download, analyse, and manipulate financial data using finance systems and Excel to support decision-making. Compliance and Continuous Improvement Ensure compliance with funder rules, College financial regulations, and audit requirements. Identify opportunities to improve processes, controls, and consistency across research finance activities.

Contribute to a collaborative “one-team” approach across research and finance functions.