Senior Research Finance Accountant

• Provide focused accounting and compliance support to departments and Principal Investigators throughout the award life cycle
• Review project expenditures for accuracy, allowability, and proper accounting treatment
• Identify unusual trends and compliance risks
• Prepare financial reports according to sponsor requirements
• Perform financial reconciliations and award closeout for a complex portfolio of federal and non-federal awards
• Research and apply sponsor requirements, Uniform Guidance, GAAP, Vanderbilt policies, and industry best practices
• Maintain accurate journal entries, accounting records, internal controls, reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Support external audit requests, including Single Audit and sponsor audits, with documentation and communication
• Identify process and policy improvements to facilitate automation and use system capabilities
• Manage tasks in the Microsoft-based task-tracking environment and adapt to software changes
• Mentor and train junior Research Financial Analyst staff

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is preferred
• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting is preferred
• CPA, MACC, or MBA is preferred
• 3+ years of direct post-award grants administration is preferred
• Intermediate Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills are necessary
• Experience with task management software and Microsoft 365 applications is preferred
• Ability to present financial information to a non-financial audience
• Time management skills and ability to work well in a team environment are necessary
• Experience in higher education, research compliance, and/or financial administration in an externally regulated environment is preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituencies is necessary
• Detail-oriented work style with effective written and verbal communication skills is necessary
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders is necessary
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team is necessary
• Openness to change and adaptability are necessary
• Ability to work effectively in varied situations with individuals or groups is necessary
• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives is necessary
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain stakeholder relationships are necessary

Demonstrates expertise in accounting and compliance support throughout the award life cycle, with a strong focus on financial reporting, reconciliations, and adherence to sponsor requirements and industry standards. Proven ability to mentor junior staff and improve processes for efficiency and automation.

• Post-Award Grants Administration
• Financial Reporting
• GAAP Compliance
• Intermediate Excel Skills
• Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Accounting
• Financial Reconciliation
• Journal Entries
• Internal Controls
• Financial Reporting
• Compliance Risk Identification
• Process Improvement
• Task Management Software
• Uniform Guidance
• Vanderbilt Policies

• Time Management
• Team Collaboration
• Effective Communication
• Detail-Oriented
• Interpersonal Skills

• CPA
• MACC
• MBA

• Higher Education
• Research Compliance
• Externally Regulated Environment
• Sponsor Audits
• Single Audit

• Microsoft 365 Applications
• Microsoft-Based Task-Tracking Environment
• Task Management Software