Research Financial Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Research Financial Analyst applies advanced contract and grant concepts to manage high-volume, high-complexity transactions. Responsible for complex analysis and coordination of the financial aspects of contracts, grants, gifts, endowment funds, and other discretionary funds management for Principal Investigators (PIs), their laboratories, and the divisions. Key aspects of the position include interfacing with the Departmental Finance Office, UCSF Office of Research, UCSF Controller’s Office, Supply Chain Management, UCSF Development Office, UCSF Human Resources Office, and extramural and intramural sponsors. Review financial and administrative management requirements for research contracts, grant proposals, budgets, awards, and transactions to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor policies. The incumbent must coordinate between multiple sites, institutions, and investigators, and navigate complex funding agency guidelines. Skillful execution of a wide range of independent responsibilities, including post-award support, general fund management, and prioritizing and managing all aspects of the workflow, is a key element of this position. Responsibilities Provide post-award financial administration and management of contracts, grants, gifts, endowments, and privately funded projects for faculty research programs in accordance with organization policy and agency requirements. Ensure rigorous management of awards and discretionary funds of assigned PIs following planning, budgeting, and spending practices that minimize audit risk. Prepare and provide monthly portfolio reports to PIs and other stakeholders with sufficient detail for financial review and planning. Prepare journal entries, payroll funding entries, and retroactive payroll expense corrections; maintain and reconcile ledger accounts timely. Assist PIs in reviewing and certifying award verification via the UCSF Award Verification portal. Approve financial transactions such as supplies/services purchases via BearBuy and expense reports via Concur. Meet quarterly to review portfolio status, planning, and provide guidance on complex research administration matters, including compliance regulations, to principal investigators and department administrators. Participate in training and educational sessions to increase knowledge of research administration concepts and university processes. Assist PIs and collaborate with the pre-award team to prepare complex proposal budgets and support documents required by proposal guidelines. Support audits as directed by senior staff and through updates to funding distribution and journal processing. Gather information to perform financial analysis and other ad hoc assignments independently. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalent experience/training. Minimum 3+ years of related experience. Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of federal and non-federal sponsors, preferably in a university environment. Ability to manage a significant volume of transactions. Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting. Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software for financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reporting. Strong organization and communication skills; customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas. Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration. Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures, and techniques. Strong writing skills to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsors’ guidelines. Preferred Qualifications Thorough knowledge of compliance requirements related to the use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc. Knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal, and reporting principles. Experience with clinical trials research administration. Familiarity with UCSF Post-award Management, Compliance, and Cost Transfers. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California, San Francisco