Position Summary:

The Research Financial Analyst Team Lead is responsible for the financial oversight, accounting, and compliance management of a portfolio of externally sponsored research awards. The position performs complex post-award accounting activities, including financial reconciliations, review and approval of cost transfer journal entries, award closeout, preparation of sponsor financial reports, and interpretation of accounting guidance. The position provides technical accounting leadership and oversight for complex sponsored projects by interpreting and applying federal regulations, sponsor requirements, GAAP, Uniform Guidance and university policies. Guidance and mentorship for a sub-team of three to four Research Financial Analysts occurs by facilitating valuable learning opportunities, identifying and implementing process improvements, ensuring workload is adequately balanced and providing accountability for timely reporting, financial accuracy and compliance.

About the Work Unit:

The Research Finance Team strives for excellence in providing support and oversight in administratively managing sponsored projects, monitoring associated financial compliance requirements in accordance with sponsor regulations and university policies, and providing analytical and cost accounting expertise to the management of Vanderbilt’s research enterprise. Research Finance includes the Research Financial Analysts that provide central oversight for project expenditures, financial reconciliation, financial reporting, and award closeout, the Research Accountants that perform invoicing, cash management and accounts receivable management, and the Data and Cost Analysts that perform cost accounting activities and institutional research reporting as well as award setup and effort certification compliance oversight.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Reviews project expenditures for accuracy and allowability and proper accounting treatment, identifies unusual trends and compliance risks, prepares financial reports in alignment with sponsor requirements, performs reconciliations and award closeout for complex portfolio of awards.

• Leads a sub-team of Research Financial Analysts as a subject matter expert on the financial administration of sponsored awards, providing support for day-to-day operations.

• Researches and applies sponsor requirements, Uniform Guidance, GAAP, Vanderbilt policies and industry best practices for escalated complex accounting transactions and compliance issues.

• Maintains the integrity of sponsored project accounting records by ensuring accurate journal entries, reconciliations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with institutional accounting policies.

• Provides focused support to Departments and Principal Investigators throughout the award life cycle, ensuring accurate and compliant financial management of the award as well as timely completion of financial reporting requirements.

• Supports responses to external audit requests including Single Audit and sponsor audits through clear and accurate documentation as well as effective communication.

• Cultivates a team culture of growth and development by seeking personal mentoring, collaborating, establishing performance expectations and coordinating workload distribution.

• Leads training and compliance efforts and collaborates across the department to ensure there is a comprehensive understanding of university and sponsor policies and procedures regarding expenditures, award closeouts, and financial reporting.

• Identifies opportunities for process improvements and changes to policies and procedures to facilitate automation and fully utilize system capabilities within both Oracle and Microsoft.

• Assists in the facilitation of Microsoft based task tracking environment, including being a proficient user, adapting to software changes, and helping train and disseminate information to analysts.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has direct supervisory responsibility over a sub-team of Research Financial Analysts on the Research Finance Team. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Director of Research Finance.

Education and Certifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.

• A Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting is preferred.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Masters in Accounting (MACC)/Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• 3+ years of supervisory experience in accounting is preferred.

• Skill in advanced Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications is necessary, skill in Microsoft Lists is preferred.

• Time management skills and the ability to work well in a team environment is necessary.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment is necessary.

• Experience in higher education with a focus in research compliance and/or financial administration or non-profit accounting in a research university, academic medical center, or other organization subject to an externally regulated environment is preferred.

• Demonstrated performance in establishing and maintaining productive and collaborative relationships with a full range of internal and external constituencies is necessary.

• Proven detail-oriented work style combined with effective written and verbal communication skills is necessary.

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, understanding their needs and goals is necessary.

• Ability to work co-operatively with others as part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively, is necessary.

• Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, with individuals or groups is necessary.

• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is necessary.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders are necessary.