Sponsor Research Analyst

• Builds award budget models and financial dashboards at setup, establishing budget-to-actual tracking by cost category and update them monthly with expenditures, encumbrances and forecasted spending through the end of the award. Performs monthly variance and burn-rate analysis, projecting end-of-period balances, identifying over and under spending trends and modeling scenarios (e.g. personnel changes and no-cost extensions).
• Leads in-person portfolio management meetings with PIs to communicate analysis, forecast and discuss spending strategy.
• Reconcile award activity to the general ledger monthly, identifying and correcting misallocated charges and communicating with Grant Specialists to ensure well-documented, timely cost transfers are prepared and submitted.
• Prepare and process budget revisions and rebudgeting requests, determining when sponsor prior approval is required and preparing those requests.
• Coordinate the effort reporting and certification process, reconciling certified effort to payroll distributions and cost share commitments, and analyzing and resolving discrepancies with appropriate adjustments.
• Prepare and submit sponsor financial reports on schedule and send reminders to PIs for technical and progress reports.
• Analyze subrecipient invoices against approved budgets for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness; and monitor ongoing financial compliance and reporting.
• Manage the financial closeout of awards, including final expenditure analysis and reconciliation, resolution of outstanding charges and residual balances, and preparation of final financial reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, including reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) cost principles, including allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
• Familiarity with post-award requirements, including sponsor prior-approval rules, rebudgeting authority, and closeout procedures.
• Familiarity with effort reporting and certification requirements for federally funded personnel.
• Familiarity with subrecipient monitoring requirements, including pass-through entity obligations.
• Advanced Excel skills, including building and maintaining dashboards, budget trackers, and financial projections and forecasts.
• Strong analytical skills for reviewing expenditures, identifying variances, and projecting burn rates.
• Ability to prepare accurate, timely financial reports and budget revision requests.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial systems.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial data.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of awards independently from setup through closeout.
• Ability to identify financial risks and compliance issues early and recommend corrective action.
• Ability to make sound judgments on cost allowability and when to elevate issues.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with investigators, subrecipients, and sponsors.
• Ability to meet recurring monthly and sponsor-driven deadlines consistently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and personnel information.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting with 3-5 years’ experience, ideally in post-award grants administration or sponsored research.