Research Finance Analyst

The Research Finance Analyst supports the functions of the central Research Finance office within Northeastern University Research Enterprise Services (NU-RES) by ensuring compliance with applicable federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies. Core expectations for this position include fostering consultative relationships, supporting a professional internal environment, and providing award support and training focusing on financial research administration and fiscal compliance. The Research Finance Analyst will ensure compliance with Federal, State, and University policies through applying specialized knowledge and interpreting rules, regulations, procedures, and guidelines from funding agencies. The individual must exercise independent judgment and discretion and take the initiative in managing grants and contracts through working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

The Research Finance Analyst serves as a key point of contact within the central Research Finance office, providing guidance and training to colleagues within the Research Finance team and broader research community while managing post-award activities for an assigned portfolio of research awards. The Research Finance Analyst role requires the ability to gather, analyze, manipulate, and present data or information to a diverse population with varying levels of familiarity and involvement with research awards and compliance. The incumbent must perform all activities with a moderate degree of independence and autonomy, meeting high expectations for quality and accuracy in all work, in a fast-paced, largely deadline-driven environment. This position collaborates with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, faculty, college administrators, internal and external research administrators, finance personnel, and representatives from funding agencies or professional associations. Exceptional service-mindedness, presentation capabilities, and the ability to perform with tact, diplomacy, and discretion are essential.

Northeastern University, a dynamic, innovative, and entrepreneurial University with a diverse, complex, and growing award portfolio, is committed to inclusion and diversity and hiring and developing personnel who enjoy working in a high-performing culture that rewards excellence. In addition, Northeastern is a global university, and NU-RES supports its team working remotely. Remote locations and work schedules are determined based on operational needs and consultation with NU-RES team members, consistent with University policies and guidelines.

To learn more about Northeastern’s unique academic environment and generous benefits, please see http://www.northeastern.edu/hrm/.

Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting post-award financial management and oversight of awards within the assigned portfolio
• reviewing and approving/rejecting transactions in Workday or Concur, including but not limited to procurement requisitions, journals, accounting adjustments, cost transfers, or other award expenditures; ensuring all expenses posted to an account meet compliance with award terms and conditions or other regulations, guidelines, or policies
• performing account reconciliations with varying ranges of complexities to include independently reviewing, monitoring, analyzing, and synthesizing information
• preparing financial reports using the appropriate internal, federal, or other sponsor-prescribed templates, ensuring accuracy in calculations, routing for supervisory approval and signature, and submitting reports using the proper method; ensuring reporting deadlines are met
• completing, routing, and submitting final reconciliations, reports, or other closeout activities as needed to ensure timely closeout of awards and adherence to federal or sponsor-specific closeout deadlines
• engage in meetings, trainings, or other activities as required to provide customer service and support, assist colleagues, and promote professional development and growth

Qualifications

Essential skills for the Research Finance Analyst position include interpersonal skills, communication, organization, time management, problem-solving, decision-making, collaboration, presentation, and customer service. This position requires flexibility and agility, often pivoting between multiple projects and tasks to meet deadlines. The Research Finance Analyst must be resourceful, analytical, able to quickly learn various systems and applications, and willing to support organizational and operational changes as a part of ongoing process improvement initiatives. Tolerance for and the ability to work with varying levels of ambiguity is essential.

A Culture of Service:

The Research Finance Analyst works with a broad range of constituents, providing direct support to Principal Investigators, Research Finance, colleges, departments, and others. The Research Finance Analyst must keep abreast of federal and sponsor regulations and be willing and able to train or support others on applying these regulations. The ability to create and maintain a culture of service, accountability, and timeliness while producing high-quality results is essential.

Compliance and Stewardship:

This role must treat effective compliance as an equal priority, stay abreast of sponsor rules, regulations, and policy changes, as well as institutional best practices in research administration and finance. The Research Finance Analyst will participate in sponsored research initiatives and projects as assigned and lead the adoption of best practices to promote continuous improvement, ensuring the highest quality standards in performance individually and as part of a team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or 2-5 years of relevant work experience required
• Research administration experience preferred; CFRA highly desired
• Financial analysis and reporting experience, with familiarity with GAAP, Uniform Guidance, or other regulations
• Active DoD Secret clearance (or other necessary level) or ability to obtain clearance at the Secret level preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Advanced Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) skills
• Able to independently learn and utilize a variety of systems, applications, and resources
• Service-mindedness with proven customer service skills
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to interact with tact and diplomacy with constituents at all levels of an organization
• Able to create and deliver presentations and training to a diverse audience via in-person or virtual platforms preferred
• Must be able to work effectively both independently and in a team-oriented environment

This position requires the candidate to have high-speed internet and other utilities to facilitate connectivity as a fully remote position. Additionally, as this position supports personnel and processes for the Boston campus and operates primarily within the eastern time zone (EDT/EST), it may require flexibility in scheduling to meet deadlines, provide service, or attend meetings or training. Able to create and deliver presentations and training for a diverse audience via virtual or in-person platforms, via public speaking and or recorded sessions

Both a cover letter and a resume are required for consideration.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Identify all key responsibilities (maximum of 5) required of the job in 3-4 sentences and indicate the typical amount of time required for each responsibility. Total percent of time must equal 100%.

Award Management (30%)

• Maintaining familiarity with federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance, DFAR) and sponsor guidelines related to financial research administration
• Reviewing award documentation to extract core demographic details, identify financial deliverables, and financial compliance-related requirements
• Performing post-award financial research administration activities, including but not limited to reviewing documentation and system configuration of new accounts in the University’s financial system; monitoring account activities to ensure expenditures align with the proposed scope and any subsequent revisions
• Completing timely award closeout activities; coordinating with others as needed to achieve appropriate closeout status and inactivate the award and related funds; initiating residual balance transfer or refund processes when necessary

Transaction Processing (30%)

• Reviewing and approving/rejecting transactions, including but not limited to procurement requisitions, travel expense and reimbursement requests, cost transfers, or other award expenditures; ensuring all expenses posted to an account meet compliance with award terms and conditions or other regulations, guidelines, or policies
• Monitoring account balances; initiating conversations with department administrators to avoid or resolve deficits or meet cost share obligations
• Preparing and submitting Accounting Adjustments or Journals to support overall award management and closeout activities, as needed

Reporting & Analysis (30%)

• Performing account reconciliations with varying ranges of complexities to include independently reviewing, monitoring, analyzing, and synthesizing information
• Investigating root causes and resolving issues to ensure completeness and accuracy in financial management, records, and reporting
• Extracting and manipulating data to prepare or review financial reports, with strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy; routing reports for approvals and submitting approved reports using prescribed methods or templates
• Maintaining accurate reporting schedules and related details to ensure timely submission of deliverables and meeting internal and external deadlines