Financial Analyst Senior
Position Overview
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc. (KUCR) assists faculty in obtaining and administering external research funding. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research serves and oversees the university's research centers and institutes, external research funding and all related financial issues. KUCR administers the sponsored agreements on the Lawrence campus.
The Financial Analyst Senior is a fully remote position that works in the financial services area of the KU Fiscal Affairs group. The Financial Analyst Senior has the responsibility of reviewing and validating all research service rates established and related to Office of Research funding and sponsored projects. This position will also work with the Director of Budgets & Financial Services on financial reporting, trend modeling, financial analysis and planning, and preparation and review of the organizational budgets for the Core Service Labs within the Office of Research, as well as other university research centers and institutes. This position will also provide education, training, and business consulting on various sources of funding for research related services. It may be necessary for this position to occasionally travel to the KU campus (3 – 5 times per year).
In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 8 hours of sick leave earned every month, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. KU is a great place to work! The University actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups.
The Financial Analyst Senior is a fully remote position that works in the financial services area of the KU Fiscal Affairs group. The Financial Analyst Senior has the responsibility of reviewing and validating all research service rates established and related to Office of Research funding and sponsored projects. This position will also work with the Director of Budgets & Financial Services on financial reporting, trend modeling, financial analysis and planning, and preparation and review of the organizational budgets for the Core Service Labs within the Office of Research, as well as other university research centers and institutes. This position will also provide education, training, and business consulting on various sources of funding for research related services. It may be necessary for this position to occasionally travel to the KU campus (3 – 5 times per year).
In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 8 hours of sick leave earned every month, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. KU is a great place to work! The University actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Job Description
45% - Service Center Review Activity
Works with research directors, faculty, principal investigators and financial officers to prepare rate structures for new and existing laboratory facilities, customer analysis, etc. Provides training on processes, and serves as a point of contact for business issues. Ensures compliance with federal, state and institutional policies and procedures.
Ensures that rates for research service labs/units are reviewed on a minimum of a two-year cycle.
Provides monthly status updates to KU Research management.
45% - Budgeting, Financial Reporting & Analysis
Responsible for all financial reporting needs of the Core Service Labs including, but not limited to, preparation of financial trend analyses; operational strategic planning support (including business plans, with revenue and expense forecasts); and development of metrics to highlight operational activity. Present financial and operational recommendations to the DBFS and the Chief Financial Officer for Research related to core service and other lab facility performance.
Develops annual organizational budgets and quarterly and annual financial reports for the Office of Research core service labs and any designated research units.
Monitors fund utilization and provides Core Service Lab Directors with advice and direction for the development of the annual operating budget based upon the outlined goals and objectives of the unit. Coordinates with the Office of Research/KUCR Finance team to address operational needs and the related budgetary impact.
Works with core lab and other research unit directors and managers to provide information and reports required for annual financial reviews and five year center evaluations.
Monitors the current financial position of the core service labs and other research units and notes any deviation from sound financial practices, develops and recommends appropriate corrective action when necessary, and keeps the KU Research leadership informed about the financial condition of the core and other service labs.
10% - Other Special Projects
Other financial and business process activities as assigned.
Works with research directors, faculty, principal investigators and financial officers to prepare rate structures for new and existing laboratory facilities, customer analysis, etc. Provides training on processes, and serves as a point of contact for business issues. Ensures compliance with federal, state and institutional policies and procedures.
Ensures that rates for research service labs/units are reviewed on a minimum of a two-year cycle.
Provides monthly status updates to KU Research management.
45% - Budgeting, Financial Reporting & Analysis
Responsible for all financial reporting needs of the Core Service Labs including, but not limited to, preparation of financial trend analyses; operational strategic planning support (including business plans, with revenue and expense forecasts); and development of metrics to highlight operational activity. Present financial and operational recommendations to the DBFS and the Chief Financial Officer for Research related to core service and other lab facility performance.
Develops annual organizational budgets and quarterly and annual financial reports for the Office of Research core service labs and any designated research units.
Monitors fund utilization and provides Core Service Lab Directors with advice and direction for the development of the annual operating budget based upon the outlined goals and objectives of the unit. Coordinates with the Office of Research/KUCR Finance team to address operational needs and the related budgetary impact.
Works with core lab and other research unit directors and managers to provide information and reports required for annual financial reviews and five year center evaluations.
Monitors the current financial position of the core service labs and other research units and notes any deviation from sound financial practices, develops and recommends appropriate corrective action when necessary, and keeps the KU Research leadership informed about the financial condition of the core and other service labs.
10% - Other Special Projects
Other financial and business process activities as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics or an appropriate related field.
- Five years of experience in finance, budgetary management and/or accounting in a large complex organization.
- Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated by application materials.
- Four years of experience with computer applications for fiscal operations and/or experience and proficiency in computer applications for financial analysis and modeling such as spreadsheets and other data analysis tools.
- Excellent analysis and problem- solving skills as demonstrated in work history.
- Minimum of two years' experience in cost analysis or financial/cost modeling.
- At least two years of supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
- Experience with Oracle financial systems.
- Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate communication among a variety of groups; experience in articulating complex financial concepts, models or results in a clear manner to a broad audience.
- Experience in financial management in a non-profit organization/university research environment that receives sponsored projects from federal, stat and foundations.
- Experience working with diverse groups of people (e.g. researchers, faculty, administrators, students, etc.).
- Working knowledge of Federal and State regulations, such as OMB 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application consists of:
Application review will begin May 26th and will remain open until a qualified pool of candidates has been identified.
- A cover letter addressing how required qualifications are met
- Resume
- 3 Professional References
Application review will begin May 26th and will remain open until a qualified pool of candidates has been identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Daniel Wilmot
Director, Budgets & Financial Services
785-864-1848
daniel.wilmot@ku.edu
Director, Budgets & Financial Services
785-864-1848
daniel.wilmot@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$65,000-$80,000
Application Review Begins
Friday May 26, 2023
Anticipated Start Date
Monday June 12, 2023