Senior Financial Analyst - Research, Innovation & Grants

The Senior Financial Analyst provides advanced financial, analytical, and compliance support for the Research Institute, Innovation Institute, and all associated sponsored programs, donor accounts, cost centers, and clinical trials. This role manages complex budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, grant accounting, award compliance, and revenue management. The Senior Analyst serves as a key financial advisor to Directors, Principal Investigators (PIs), and institute leadership by delivering high-level analysis, financial insight, and decision support. The role requires deep expertise in research finance, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to work independently in a complex, fast-paced, regulated environment.

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Prepare annual budgets for grants, donor accounts, cost centers, and operating units.

• Develop monthly and quarterly forecasts for research and innovation financial portfolios.

• Conduct monthly financial reviews with Directors/VP, including variance analysis and spending trend commentary.

• Prepare and deliver financial variance reports for senior management.  Identifies and researches variances above thresholds.  Provides monthly reporting on significant variances.

Grant & Award Financial Management

Pre-Award Support:

• Review and approve grant budgets, ensuring compliance with sponsor and federal guidelines.

• Assists Grants Manager in advising Directors and PIs on personnel costing, staffing feasibility, and budget development.

Post-Award Oversight:

• With the Grants Manager, set up awards and maintain financial profiles in Workday.

• Audit spending to ensure allocability, allowability, and adherence to Uniform Guidance.

• Review financial transactions affecting grants, donor accounts, and cost centers.

• Perform monthly reconciliations of all research and innovation related expenses.

Financial Reporting, Revenue Management & Invoicing

• Assist Grants Manager in preparing sponsor-required financial reports, including interim, annual, and final reports.

• Assist Grants Managers in creating invoices for cost-reimbursable grants, fixed-fee agreements, and clinical trials.

• Support deferred revenue calculations and maintain accurate revenue recognition schedules.

Compliance, Audit Support & Policy Adherence

• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal cost principles, and institutional policy.

• Perform routine audits of award accounts to verify accuracy, proper allocation, and compliance.

• Assist Grants manager in preparation of audit documentation and support audit processes.

• Maintain and update financial processes, policies, and operating procedures for research finance.

Payroll Allocation, Costing & Effort Management

• Review payroll reports to ensure charges are aligned with approved budgets and effort allocations.

Training, Financial Guidance & Stakeholder Support

• Train new Directors, PIs, and staff on budgets, financial processes, and compliance requirements.

• Provide financial insights and modeling to support decision-making for staffing, equipment, and project feasibility.

• Assist research leadership with special analyses, scenario modeling, and data-driven recommendations.

Performs additional duties and support as assigned.    

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

• 5–7+ years of progressive financial analysis or grant accounting experience.

• Advanced understanding of GAAP, Uniform Guidance, and sponsor financial regulations.

• Proficiency with Workday and advanced Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas, modeling).

• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a research, academic, hospital, or clinical trials setting.

• Experience with subaward monitoring and federal drawdown systems.

• Master’s degree (MBA, MAcc) or related credential (CPA, CGFM, CRA) preferred.