Operations Accountant

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Financial Analyst, Post-Award Administration - Office of Research Services

Job Profile Title

Accountant/Financial Analyst

Job Description Summary

The Office of Research Services (ORS) Post-Award administration engages with key stakeholders, research administrators, internal and external partners, sponsors, and regulatory agencies throughout the post award lifespan of a sponsored project. The Financial Analyst plays a vital role in the success of research administration at Penn. The Financial Analyst will work closely with the Office of Research Services (ORS) staff and research departments in the Schools and Centers to ensure compliance with sponsor and university invoicing, financial reporting, and other requirements, collaborate with our internal partners to identify ways to improve communication, workflows and efficiencies; ensure post-award controls and processes are operating appropriately; and provide support and guidance on post-award policies and procedures, and developing and delivering University-wide sponsored projects training for research administrators and post-award team members. The Financial Analyst is also responsible for collecting, maintaining and analyzing various post-award financial data, providing ad hoc reports on post-award grant activities to post-award directors and departmental administrators, and assisting with monitoring research compliance. The Financial Analyst works with the Sr. Financial Analyst and the ORS post-award team to develop reports and templates for analysis and operational use, ensure adherence to post-award and University SOP’s, and report best practices across post-award. Conducts financial analysis and reporting and tracks key operational metrics to support strategic decision-making. Analyzes financial data, develops models, and provides recommendations by interpreting data. Monitor compliance with accounting rules and controls, participates in audits.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Accurately initiates the sponsored programs closeout process, prepares financial statements and billings according to sponsor terms and deadlines; performs a review of GL activity to ensure compliance with circular and sponsor terms and conditions including monitoring spending, reviewing, and reconciling expenses, costs, revenue, EB and F&A, allowable costs, special terms and conditions and PMS activity. Tests for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal guidelines and/or other contractual agreements.
• Assist in developing, maintaining, and identifying new reports, templates, and solutions for operational efficiencies.
• Assist in development and maintenance and existing tools and procedures for post award closeout processes and research compliance monitoring.
• Identify areas of need; make recommendations; propose, develop, and implement solutions.
• Develop and deliver University-wide sponsored projects training for research administrators and post award staff.
• Support the quarterly monitoring process by organizing data, developing reports, analyzing, and monitoring grant financial data, processes and trends and making corrective action recommendations to improve controls for Penn’s Schools and Centers.
• Assist in organizing sponsored projects financial data, generating reports, and assisting Sr. Analyst in managing the quarterly monitoring meetings with grant manager; collaborating with other internal University partners to ensure service needs are met by providing needed information, guidance and data for other departments and offices across the University.
• Assist the Sr. Analyst and Cost Studies Group with Uniform Guidance (UG) audit testing for allowable costs, reporting, cost transfers and sub recipient monitoring.
• Work with Sr. Analyst, internal and external auditors, and departmental administrators on departmental and sponsored project audits; assist in coordinating and reviewing document requests and responding to departmental and auditor inquires.
• Perform financial forecasting, reporting, and operational metrics tracking.
• Analyze financial data and create financial models for decision support.
• Analyze past results, perform variance analysis, identify trends, and make recommendations for improvements.
• Recommend actions by analyzing and interpreting data and making comparative analyses.
• Study proposed changes in methods and materials.
• Prepares internal financial reports as required.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, with preferred major in Accounting or Finance, and 3 to 5 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required.
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a deadline driven environment preferred.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and provide leadership within the post award group preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience of sponsored projects administrative, costing and audit requirements preferred.
• University financial and sponsored program policies and systems including BEN Financials, PennEra, Effort Reporting, Data Warehouse, Workday, MS Office required.
• Experience with National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Commons strongly preferred.
• Experience working with federal sponsors and enforcing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and accurate.
• Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills, along with the ability to work within tight and often conflicting deadlines.
• Must be flexible, show effective judgement, discretion and have the ability to handle confidential financial matters.
• Work effectively in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment with the ability to navigate through ambiguity and demonstrate appreciation and support for diversity, inclusion and belonging in a constantly evolving academic/higher education environment.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Finance

Salary

$64,500.00 - $75,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay