Senior Financial Compliance Analyst

Job Description:

About Brown

Brown University is a leading research university distinct for its student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose. Our students, faculty and staff are driven by the idea that their work will have an impact in the world.

Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance; summer hours, winter break and a comprehensive Benefits package including time off, annual paid holidays; benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts and more. To learn about Brown University’s benefits, visit the University Human Resources web page here for further information.

About the Opportunity

As a member of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), reporting to the Director of Research Financial Compliance Team, the Analyst is responsible for supporting the Director of Research Financial Compliance with sponsored project related audits, specialized financial reporting to external sponsors and financial quality assurance/quality improvement. The Analyst will assist the Director with coordinating and responding to audits, desk reviews, risk assessments, and other sponsor inquiries. Additionally, the incumbent will assist with development of corrective action plans to address findings and management recommendations, and ensures that such plans are documented, implemented, and regularly reviewed.

The incumbent participates in initiatives with partner offices at the University, including Controller, OIT/ Workday Program, Corporate & Foundation Relations, and Internal Audit. The incumbent also acts to ensure compliance with the University’s federal, non-federal, corporate and foundation sponsor requirements as needed and in concert with other units within OSP, and university representatives.

Further responsibilities may extend to leading advanced training on select topics (e.g. effort reporting, audit outcomes/recommendations, etc.) for the campus community in partnership with the Research Training Office.

The incumbent is responsible for staying up to date on legal, regulatory, and policy issues that affect financial research administration and audit (such as 2 CFR 200, federal acquisition regulations, agency requirements, and GAAP), and through active participation in professional societies such as National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). The Analyst serves as a resource to faculty and departmental research administrators for questions on research financial compliance.

Responsibilities

Support Sponsored Project Financial Quality Control/Quality Improvement Program:

Supports routine internal reviews of sponsored project financial transactions to ensure compliance and appropriate risk levels related to sponsored project financial policies and requirements.
Assists with the development of appropriate policies and standard operating procedures to build a strong control environment in collaboration with key stakeholders, including but not limited to activities such as: monitor and investigate accounting issues that arise within Workday, collaborate with Director and OSP Post-Award Team to troubleshoot and resolve system anomalies, research functionality opportunities and test capabilities within the financial system.
Helps 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 to support business requirements. Undertakes additional reviews of specific financial compliance areas such as Deferred Revenue Process, management of interest-bearing awards, property management including title searches and disposal instructions.
Participates on project tasks associated with implementation, upgrade, or development of systems application functionality (i.e., Workday Financials, Huron Grants & Agreements) or solutions, providing system level perspective in campus initiatives. Participates in scheduled testing and documentation of business processes in the of systems related to sponsored project finances and accounting.
Effort Reporting, sponsor surveys/reporting and audit

Effort Reporting The incumbent manages the effort certification system with guidance from the Director; technical, data, and training elements included. The Analyst is highly knowledgeable on effort certification as it relates to labor compliance for sponsored programs and continuously stays apprised of the changing federal regulations and interpretations. The position has significant influence as it relates to university policy and procedures associated with effort certification. Interprets federal regulations and creates procedures to assure compliance while minimizing administrative burden. Determines the allowability of labor charges on sponsored programs, making decisions which affect the salary distribution of faculty and staff. Determines whether charges are allocated to sponsored projects and approval or disapproval of cost transfers related to certification adjustments and revisions.
Sponsor Surveys/Reporting Supports Director with data gathering for complex internal and external reports on sponsored award activity such as the NSF HERD Survey, NIH BRDPI, and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the Single Audit. These reports directly impact Brown’s national ranking as a research institution.
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. The Analyst remains actively engaged in Brown’s Single Audit and internal and federal audits of varied frequency. The incumbent will lead efforts to increase compliance to university, federal, state, and industry research standards through routine monitoring of financial and other post-award data.
Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; Accounting or Finance major, and/or CPA preferred.
Experience in Workday or similar enterprise financial systems.
Experience: 3+ years of research administration experience or closely related experience.
Job Competencies

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.
Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.
All candidates must submit a cover letter and resume with their application.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

Job Posting Title:

Senior Financial Compliance Analyst
Department:

Office of Sponsored Projects
Grade:

Grade 10
Worker Type:

Employee
Worker Sub-Type:

Regular
Time Type:

Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5
Position Work Location:

Hybrid Eligible