Research Financial Compliance

Description:

Sponsored Project Financial Quality Assurance /Quality Improvement Program

Performs routine internal reviews of sponsored project financial transactions to ensure compliance and appropriate risk levels related to sponsored project financial policies and requirements. Serves as a subject matter expert liaison between the OSP and the Controller’s office to ensure ongoing review of accounting compliance for sponsored projects. Develops appropriate policies and standard operating procedures to build a strong control environment in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Collaborates with the electronic systems and technology partners to ensure systems meet stakeholder business requirements, including developing, adopting and utilizing the necessary audit / review reports. In working with the systems teams, partners on optimum configurations of the financial aspects of the proposal and award modules, integrations, and reporting in order to support business requirements.

Leads the subject matter expert project tasks associated with implementation, upgrade, or development of new application functionality or solutions; providing system level perspective in campus initiatives. Participates and directs staff subject matter expert testing and documentation in the transition and implementation of systems.

Complex reporting and audit

Related to sponsored project financial information, reconciles, reviews, combines, and validates financial data sets and accounts, utilizing financial reports, financial databases, and key financial information. Prepares complex internal and external reports on sponsored award activity such as the NSF HERD Survey and schedule of expenditures for the single audit.

Oversees and supports the university’s compliance policies, processes, and reporting related to charging salary to sponsored projects. This includes managing the university’s effort reporting.

Cash management

Working with the office of the Controller and Director of Treasury, establish a cadence for regular review of internal reports and treasury management reports to ensure regular and appropriate management of cash flow. Develops, implements, maintains, and improves policies and processes related to accurate sponsored project invoicing, letter-of-credit draws, dunning, and write-offs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Accounting and seven plus years related experience in sponsored projects administration and management in an institution of higher education, hospital, or non-profit organization. M.B.A. or C.P.A. strongly preferred.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Ability to manage and safeguard confidential financial and business data and to ensure confidentiality is maintained by staff.
• Must have in-depth knowledge of Federal regulations for sponsored project funding; superlative working knowledge of sponsored project accounting and reporting functions; working knowledge of the award life cycle, including pre-award activities; experience with external audits.
• Strong knowledge of how financial systems work and function.
• Initiative and judgment to independently problem solve and prioritize. Ability to work independently, but also as a strong team player when needed.
• Must have flexible and adaptive work style to manage multiple priorities to achieve goals for operational efficiency and fiscal stability.
• Strong customer service orientation is required.
• Must be able to take initiative to keep pace with changes in research administration policies and procedures, as well as Brown’s expanding research enterprise.
• Possess a willingness and ability to support and promote a diverse and inclusive campus community.