(Hybrid) Financial Specialist - Research Office

Description

The Research Office at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Financial Specialist.

About the Opportunity

As a Financial Specialist for the Office of the Vice President for Research, the candidate will manage the financial aspects related to grants received by the Office and associated units and center. Reporting to the Associate VP for Research Operations, the candidate's primary responsibilities will include overseeing budgetary compliance, financial reporting, cost share and effort reporting for external awards. The candidate will assist the relevant PIs in purchasing, payroll and other transactions, and assist with subawards. This position requires independence, attention to detail and good analytical skills. The candidate must gain familiarity with WVU systems to be successful.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Grant Management: Manage the financial aspects of post award grants from various funding agencies, ensuring compliance with grant terms and conditions. Working closely with relevant WVU offices such as Office of Sponsored Programs, Sponsored Research Accounting, Shared Services etc.
• Budget Oversight: Monitor grant budgets in collaboration with principal investigators (PIs) and relevant staff.
• Financial Reporting: Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for PIs, detailing expenditures and ensuring adherence to financial reporting requirements from award inception to closeout, by monitoring, translating and preparing financial instruments from other WVU offices.
• Compliance Monitoring: Ensure adherence to university policies, as well as federal, state, and sponsor regulations governing grant expenditures. Document cost share and effort reporting to insure completeness for awards.
• Financial Analysis: Conduct financial analysis and forecasting related to grant expenditures, providing insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Expenditures: Assist in purchasing, payroll and other expenditures on external awards and on Research Office budgets to include subcontractor and service agreement invoices.
• Budget and Grant Preparation: Develop budgets for external awards in coordination with PIs and assist in preparation of grant materials for submission.
• Other duties: Assist in the effective operation of the Research Office as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in financial management, preferably in a university or research institution setting.
• Strong understanding of grant accounting principles and regulations
• Proficiency in financial software and systems
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple stakeholders.