Post-Award Financial Analyst at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please attach a cover letter and a curriculum vitae in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering

The George R. Brown School of Engineering ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment.

We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is seeking a Post-award Financial Analyst. The primary responsibilities of the post-award financial analyst are to work with ECE faculty by providing full post-award administration support of their grants and contracts. This includes reconciliations, projections, preparing adjustments and necessary corrections to awards, reviewing payroll for research grants and submitting necessary labor distributions, preparing financial reports, clearing p-card expenses, reimbursements, award closeout, and effort certification. The position requires judgment, responsiveness, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while demonstrating excellent interpersonal and communication skills within and outside the department.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate for this position has a basic understanding of research administration and accounting practices in higher education and enjoys working in a team environment.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
  
  
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
  
  
• 2+ years of related experience in financial management of grants
  
  
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and time management
  
  

Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Strong communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences and client groups
• Project management skills and ability to contribute to a multi-functional team

Preferences:

• Experience in higher education
• Experience in research award administration
• Knowledge of government research funding resources (NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE)

Essential Functions:

• Maintains, reconciles, reviews, combines, and validates financial data sets and accounts
• Performs and designs ad hoc analyses of large complex data sets
• Identifies and resolves complex issues
• Constructs and assembles data for budgeting and decision making; develops conclusions, and presents high level summary of recommendations
• Executes internal control programs established by management, researches new regulations, and recommends and implements approved changes
• Develops reports and presentations of complex financial data and metrics for faculty
• Performs preliminary analysis, recognizes exceptions and recommends solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes
• Develops and maintains desktop procedures and process documentation for area of responsibility
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Assists the Lead Post-Award Financial Analyst with processing journal entries and grant payroll
• Prepares detailed expenditure and budgetary reports for a select group of faculty
• Prepares and submits accounting forms that may be needed when reconciling awards (budget transfers, expense and revenue corrections, etc.)
• Oversight of routine monthly internal expenses (chemistry stockroom, shared equipment authority, etc.)

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

About Us

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

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