Research Finance Senior Accountant

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Research Finance Senior Accountant based in United States.** This role supports the financial management of research grants and contracts within a complex academic and healthcare environment. You will maintain research accounts and ledgers from initial setup through final close-out, ensuring financial accuracy and compliance throughout the lifecycle. The position partners closely with Finance, Accounts Payable, General Accounting, Cash Control, and Financial Operations teams. You will also work directly with department leaders, principal investigators, and research administration professionals to resolve sponsored-program financial matters. A key part of the role involves preparing accurate financial reports for federal agencies and non-federal sponsors. You will help ensure research expenditures are reasonable, properly documented, and aligned with applicable regulations and sponsor requirements. This is a fully remote, full-time opportunity for an experienced research accounting professional who brings strong analytical and collaborative skills. ### Accountabilities: - **Research Account Management:** Maintain accounts and general ledgers associated with research grants and contracts, overseeing financial activity from account setup through institutional monitoring and final close-out. - **Financial Coordination:** Collaborate with General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Cash Control, Financial Operations, and other Finance teams to maintain accurate research responsibility centers and resolve accounting issues. - **Grant and Contract Reporting:** Prepare accurate status reports, financial summaries, and expenditure reports for federal government agencies and non-federal research sponsors. - **Compliance Oversight:** Review research grant expenditures for reasonableness, allowability, and compliance with applicable federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies. - **Issue Resolution:** Partner with department managers, principal investigators, and research administration teams to investigate and resolve sponsored-program financial questions, discrepancies, and other account-related issues. - **Financial Analysis and Reporting:** Monitor research expenditures and provide accurate, timely financial information that supports effective management and oversight of sponsored programs. - **Training and Guidance:** Provide training and guidance to relevant stakeholders on Research Finance policies, procedures, accounting practices, and compliance expectations. - **Stakeholder Communication:** Maintain consistent communication with departments and research administration partners, ensuring financial information is clearly presented and delivered within required timelines. ### Requirements - **Education and Experience:** Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline, combined with 5–7 years of research accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience. - **Research Accounting Expertise:** Demonstrated experience managing research grants, contracts, sponsored-program accounts, ledgers, expenditures, and financial reporting in an academic, healthcare, research, or similarly regulated environment. - **Federal Regulations:** Strong knowledge of **OMB 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance**, including Appendix IX under Part 200 Hospital Cost Principles, as well as the Federal Acquisition Regulation and NIH Grants Policy Statement. - **Financial Systems and Technology:** Advanced proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and ERP-based general ledger systems, with the ability to analyze and manage complex financial information. - **Analytical Skills:** Strong attention to detail and the ability to review financial activity, identify discrepancies or compliance concerns, and develop practical resolutions. - **Communication:** Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial policies and requirements clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders. - **Collaboration:** Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, department leaders, principal investigators, and research administration professionals. - **Organization and Accountability:** Ability to manage multiple accounts, reporting requirements, deadlines, and stakeholder needs while maintaining accuracy and compliance. - **Work Authorization:** This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Remote employees must reside and perform their work in a U.S. state where the employer is registered to do business, including Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, or Washington, D.C. ### Benefits - **Remote Work:** Fully remote position within the United States, subject to approved remote-work locations. - **Full-Time Schedule:** Regular full-time employment with a scheduled workload of **37.5 hours per week**. - **Competitive Compensation:** Salary is determined according to the applicable compensation structure and factors such as qualifications, experience, and role requirements. - **Professional Environment:** Opportunity to contribute to research finance within a mission-driven academic and healthcare setting. - **Research Impact:** Support the financial integrity of research grants and contracts that enable scientific discovery, clinical research, and broader institutional initiatives. - **Cross-Functional Exposure:** Collaborate with Finance, research administration, principal investigators, department leaders, and other stakeholders across the organization. - **Professional Development:** Opportunity to strengthen expertise in sponsored-program accounting, federal regulations, financial reporting, and research finance operations. - **Training and Growth:** Gain experience supporting complex research-finance processes while contributing to accurate, compliant, and efficient financial management.