Post Award Financial Analyst for Sponsored Projects

Provides oversight of all financial activities for the university's sponsored grants and contracts portfolio to ensure compliance with federal, state, university, and award agencies' rules and regulations. Analyzes, adjusts, and reports financial activity in accordance with rules and sponsor requirements. Serves as a key resource for principal investigators, project managers, and administrative staff, offering expert guidance on post-award financial management and regulatory compliance.

This is a fast-paced, deadline-driven role ideal for candidates seeking better work-life balance, particularly those currently working at major accounting firms. Mandatory onsite training is provided, followed by a hybrid work-from-home schedule.

Responsibilities

• Performs central financial activities to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant expenditure of funds for each award in the assigned grants and contracts portfolio, including monitoring budgets and expenditures, processing adjustments, aligning with the university's general ledger, and ensuring proper reporting.
• Proactively identifies and resolves complex financial discrepancies and potential compliance issues, implementing corrective actions to safeguard the organization from financial risks.
• Collaborates with and provides expert guidance to principal investigators, project managers, and administrative staff regarding all grant and contract financial activities. Communicates issues and resolutions professionally, which may include removing grant expenses from an award.
• Leads the preparation, analysis, and timely submission of accurate and compliant financial reports to funding agencies.
• Manages or oversees all aspects of grant billing, including reviewing reimbursement requests, vouchers, and drawdowns from funding sources.
• Serves as the primary financial liaison to funding agencies to address and resolve all issues and questions.
• Establishes, verifies, and updates award information in the university's financial system.
• Interprets and applies awarding agency terms and conditions to all transactions, ensuring allowability, allocability, and reasonableness under federal, state, university, and granting agency guidelines. Makes final determinations on behalf of the university regarding allowable expenses on an award.
• Analyzes and prepares responses and supporting documentation as requested by internal and external auditors. May assist with various audit engagements.
• May assist with the drawdown of funds from federal payment management systems.
• May assist with the preparation of the annual Schedule of Federal Awards and State Pass-Through Reporting (SPTR).
• May assist with business systems design, upgrades, and implementations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in finance, accounting, or a related field required. Master's Degree in finance, accounting, or a related field preferred.
• At least 2 years of related experience in finance, accounting, or research administration required.
• May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement, and vice versa.
• Must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
• This is a hybrid role with some time required in the office.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
• Generous time off, including holidays, preventative leave, vacation, and sick time (approximately 37-38 days per year).
• Vacation accrual increases with longevity.
• Longevity Pay: Monthly payments after two years of service.
• Retirement/pension plan.
• Free financial and legal counseling.
• Free mental health counseling services.
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
• Employee discounts on entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, and more.
• Resources for child and elder care.

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount frequently to move objects.

This position is security-sensitive pursuant to Texas Education Code 51.215 and Texas Government Code 411.094. Routine reviews will be conducted to determine eligibility based on criminal history or connections to foreign adversaries.