Finance Project Analyst

Project Analyst

SRI's Information & Computing Sciences division has an opening for a Project Analyst (PA). This position will partner closely with the Business Manager and Finance Operations team to ensure that contracts/projects are managed to perform within budget, on schedule, and within scope, to support SRI's growth and mission.

The PA will support a variety of programs and project leaders in proposal development, project setup, financial administration, and ongoing project maintenance through timely and accurate financial analysis and reporting. Responsibilities include reviewing proposal requests, supporting internal and external financial audits and reviews, as well as reviewing contract provisions, financial documentation, and project setup requirements.

The PA will collaborate with Accounting, Contracts, Procurement, and other internal stakeholders to support project execution and respond to financial and operational inquiries from both internal teams and external clients. The PA will partner with Project Leaders and the Business Manager to monitor project financial performance and funding status, proactively identifying and escalating potential financial risks or impacts to support informed decision-making and successful project outcomes.

This role will be based in Menlo Park, CA with a hybrid schedule, up to 4 days a week remote and 1 day a week in the Menlo Park office.

Responsibilities

The PA will learn and perform the following functions with guidance and oversight from the Business Manager:

Project Execution & Financial Management

• Support the project setup process by partnering with Accounting and Contracts to ensure projects are set up correctly and in accordance with contractual, billing, and revenue recognition requirements.
• Review and maintain an understanding of contractual requirements, deliverables, terms and conditions, billing and payment schedules, and periods of performance for assigned projects to support accurate project administration and financial management.
• Monitor project financial status and funding levels to ensure projects remain within budget and contractual requirements.
• Prepare and submit client financial reports in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Track project billing and accounts receivable (AR) activities, including invoice review, verifying invoices are prepared and issued accurately and in accordance with contract requirements, providing invoice approvals and supporting documentation, and monitoring receivables and unbilled balances.
• Prepare Estimates at Completion (EACs) as required.
• Prepare accruals to support year-end close processes.
• Monitor projects approaching completion thresholds and coordinate with Contracts regarding required notifications or closeout actions.

Project Planning & Controls

• Support Project Leaders (PL) / Principal Investigators (PI) and Project Managers (PM) in developing appropriate project / task structures and charge numbers aligned with contractual and billing requirements
• Maintain project forecasts by reviewing actual performance against budget and planned hours, escalating issues to the Project Leader (PL) / Principal Investigator (PI), Project Manager (PM), and Business Manager (BM) as appropriate.

Special Projects

• Participate in special projects and continuous improvement initiatives to improve financial processes and overall project controls.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or 2-3 years of related experience in government contracting. New grads welcome to apply!
• Due to government contract requirements, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen
• Strong proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with the ability and desire to learn new systems
• Ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines and shifting demands
• Exemplary customer service and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential and sensitive information

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

• Experience with project budgeting, variance analysis, and financial reporting
• Experience using Deltek Costpoint
• Knowledge of government contracting management, proposal and cost accounting regulations
• Understanding of proposal preparation, cost control, and project maintenance functions within government contracting and commercial environments
• General knowledge of GAAP, CAS, and FAR
• Knowledge of DHHS or NSF grant and contracting processes and procedures

The salary range is: $62,750-$83,150. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For more than 75 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.