Financial Administrator – Research Grants & Contracts

About the role

The Financial Administrator supports the research unit’s operations by ensuring accurate financial administration of grants and contracts. Reporting to the Associate Director RFMS, the role coordinates invoicing, budgeting, and compliance with sponsor requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Set up new research contracts and agreements, retrieving approvals from InfoEd and the Office of Sponsored Research.
• Prepare financial statements and invoices to meet sponsor deadlines while adhering to guidelines.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of agency policies and act as the primary contact for contract funds.
• Structure financial administration for large‑scale projects and use reporting templates for tracking.
• Reconcile expenditures against the general ledger, resolve discrepancies, and notify principal investigators of budget variances.
• Monitor receivables, follow up with sponsors, and ensure timely receipt of payments.
• Approve financial transactions, verify fund availability, and ensure proper coding.
• Prepare inter‑institutional transfer agreements, handle audits, and provide documentation to auditors.
• Track in‑kind and cash contributions for compliance with signed agreements.

Required profile

• Excellent organizational and prioritization abilities.
• Strong analytical skills to identify and resolve financial discrepancies.
• Effective communication with internal researchers, external sponsors, and university departments.
• Ability to work independently and foster collaborative relationships.
• Attention to detail in compliance and reporting processes.

Required skills

• Proficiency with InfoEd for contract setup and fund approvals.
• Experience preparing financial statements, invoices, and reconciling general‑ledger entries.