Job details

Research Budget and Contract Analyst

Job no: 499480
Department: Center for Space Plasma & Aeronomic Research
Work type: staff full-time exempt
Location: Huntsville, AL
Categories: Administrative - Professional, Research Administration

Purpose of the Position:

Manage the Budgeting/Financial Responsibilities for CSPAR research staff with the accounting of their current contacts and grants for over $36.3 million active awards for over 70 active accounts. The Research Budget and Contract Analyst will be responsible for the management and reporting of financial data for these awards. Duties include preparing financial statements, examining and analyzing all CSPAR C&G accounts, and ensuring compliance with financial reporting and other standard accounting procedures. This person will be responsible for ensuring the financial program data integrity and reporting accuracy. Accuracy is a must when maintaining the status of the budgets.

Duties/Responsibilities

Maintain financial tracking / knowledge of all CSPAR awards and provide monthly financial status updates for PIs of CSPAR awards.
Provide complex in - depth and broadly defined professional administrative level budgetary and contract administration guidance demonstrating advanced knowledge of principles, protocols, procedures, regulations and guidelines to PI and other scientific/research professionals, both within the University and with other associated research/administrative professionals outside of the University.
Perform high level proficiency in data research, perform detailed analysis, and high level complex annual grant and related report preparation, along with specific experience in budgeting and complex financial calculations, and reconciling of CSPAR C&G accounts.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge with the ability to interpret, apply and effectively communicate all applicable federal and state statues, regulations, rules, policies, and University guidelines and procedures. - Maintain ongoing updates and communications related to current grants and contracts, this includes regular auditing and reporting to principal investigators on financial status of grants, contracts and discretionary accounts. Also provide relevant updates and reports to departmental leadership, as needed.
Perform Budget forecasting, monitor funding levels, and proactively identify problems, determine potential impacts, and work with Program Administrator and Principle Investigators to recommend potential solutions.
Manage budget databases on a daily basis to determine financial standing at any time.
Review Expenses for compliance and provide monthly updates to Principal Investigator and Project Manager
Prepare contracts for professional services for approval and process invoices as received.
Prepare Graduate student offer letters and route through approval process and then submit ePAF for payment.
Verify GRA tuition payments each semester before accounting feed is processed.
Facilitate the management of CSPAR Center financial database files at all times, and provide expertise in processing/forecasting of budget concerns as needed for new positions, PAFs, PARFs and raises.
Manage/support maintenance and development of the Center Budget, will include updating all databases associated with financial status of the center, updated monthly.
Develop a schedule of notification for financial status of accounts. Prepare all reports and presentations requested by University Administration
Manage labor distribution for the processing of payroll bi-weekly for research staff. Process and approve payroll each BW for research staff (full time and hourly) making sure submitted correctly and on time. If necessary make changes as requested to labor distribution.
Prepare all reports and presentations requested by University Administration; ensuring financial program data integrity and reporting accuracy; establishing and maintaining appropriate internal controls; and reengineering financial execution and budgetary processes utilizing internal/external financial operational best practices and procedures.
Foster and maintain working relationships with CSPAR associates, staff and other University Center/Academic departments daily; provide broad financial strategic programmatic direction and initiatives through effective resource management and the provision of effective and timely staff support.
Represent the center at meetings as needed when Director, Assistant Director, Associate Director or CSPAR Program administrator are not available.
The chosen candidate will assist in writing essential proposal documents, such as budgets and justifications, by communicating researchers' information and ideas in writing.
The incumbent will focus on how to plan, design and manage complex schedules over the life cycle of CSPAR special projects and maintain a detailed schedule for deliverables for these projects.
This includes the assembly of complex data bases related to research activities and projects. Must be able to take directions, assimilate ideas from scientists and then communicate the assembled ideas with flair and creativity while retaining the essence of the project.
As part of the special projects related to proposals, incumbent will review solicitation, assist in preparation of proposal budgets, budget justification, and current and pending data.
Review/upload data in Kuali, maintain proposal documents on CSPAR data and assist PI as needed in preparing proposal package.
Will assist Researchers in the audit, review and preparation of budgets and related justification for appropriateness and completeness of content, and provide groundwork for subcontract negotiations, with a dotted line and submission to the Office of Sponsored Programs.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
5-7 years of full-time verifiable work experience in a high-level complex comparable finance position involving intensive budget development, management, and maintenance, and Contract and Database Administration.
Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Extensive experience with budgets and finance and advanced knowledge and experience of spreadsheets.

Desired Qualifications:

5 years of experience in university contracts and grants accounting research environment is preferred.
Familiarity with scientific and technical terminology is desired.
Strong background in Accounting and Finance is preferred.
Prior experience as team lead support is desired.
Experience in assembling research archival data for research scientists.

Published Salary (if available):

$46,000 - $55,000

Advertised: Jun 14 2023 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: