Portfolio & Grant Accountant

About the role

The Portfolio & Grant Accountant will manage the financial aspects of sponsored and non-sponsored accounts supporting the MD/PhD Program, its students, and faculty. Key responsibilities include financial reporting, budgeting, and planning, with a focus on compliance.

Responsibilities

• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Present financial information and recommendations through data analysis and reporting
• Develop complex analytical reports for principal investigators and program leadership
• Identify funding issues and influence strategic opportunities within the portfolio
• Prepare budgets and expenditure projections for the Program Director, Associate Directors, and YSM financial operations review
• Compliance and Risk Management
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of university and granting agency policies
• Monitor and certify policy adherence for all financial activity within the portfolio
• Review and approve expenditures with both sponsor and Yale policies and regulations in mind
• Proposal Management and Oversight
• Develop proposals and budgets for grant submissions
• Coordinate with partnering institutions as needed and ensure compliance with sponsor regulations and university policies and procedures
• Manage renewals, progress reports, no-cost extensions, and closeouts of grants
• Portfolio Management and Stewardship
• Oversee reconciliation and stewardship of external fellowships and department/program accounts
• Work with the Registrar and program stakeholders to assign student funding to appropriate sources
• Identify and propose alternatives for allocating effort, spending pattern adjustments, and allocation methodologies to optimize available resources
• Collaborative and Strategic Finance Partner
• Collaborate with other Business Offices, Central Offices, the School of Medicine, Office of Sponsored Projects, external institutions, and sponsoring agencies
• Provide analytical and consultative support to maintain strong working relationships with faculty, staff, and students

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability in financial management, including budgeting, reporting, and analysis
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with careful attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with faculty, students, internal partners, and external sponsors
• Proficiency in using financial software and tools, such as Excel, for data analysis and reporting
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, showing initiative, flexibility, and problem-solving skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline
• Four years of related financial experience
• Knowledge of funding mechanisms supporting individual and programmatic training awards (graduate/undergraduate training support, fellowships, and institutional training grants)
• Experience with financial management systems such as Workday and Yale Budgeting Tool (YBT)
• Familiarity with IRES and NIH systems (e.g., NIH Commons/Reporter) and Yale institutional reporting
• In-depth knowledge of university financial policies and federal regulations related to sponsored research and training awards

Skills

• Previous experience with grants and contracts administration, including pre-award and post-award processes
• Expert proficiency in financial management systems such as Workday and Yale Budgeting Tool (YBT)
• Knowledge of federal regulations and policies related to sponsored research and training awards
• Professional certifications or specialized training in research administration (e.g., CPA, MBA, research administration training)