Sponsored Research Accounting (SRA) Senior Analyst, Cash, Subaward & Comp - Princeton University

The SRA Senior Analyst, Cash, Subaward and Compliance plays a pivotal role in supporting the University’s research mission by providing financial management and compliance oversight to sponsored research expenditures, which totaled over $300 million in FY23.

This position is responsible for performing critical cash management duties that affect the University’s cash flow process that includes submitting letters of credit draw down requests to federal sponsors for reimbursements of expenditures that average approximately $15 million per month.  Equally important for this position is to lead, analyze and audit complex compliance activities as a proactive strategy to strengthen internal controls as mandated by federal regulations, improve oversight of high-risk activities, and safeguard the University’s assets and reputation from harm due to non-compliance. 

The SRA Senior Analyst is one of two positions that will work closely with the Associate Director, Cash, Subaward and Compliance providing the post award financial oversight of the University’s outgoing subcontracting agreements. This work includes:

• Reviewing all subaward agreements and invoices for financial compliance,
• Ensuring payments are remitted on a timely basis, and
• Participating in the subaward risk assessment process and the subrecipient monitoring program for compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements and in partnership with the Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA).

This position will serve as the University’s subject matter expert for cash management activities related to sponsored projects and work closely with the SRA Cash, Subaward and Compliance Specialist.  The SRA Senior Analyst, Cash, Subaward and Compliance will also work closely with the Associate Director, Cash, Subaward and Compliance, and the SRA Senior Associate Director to ensure the post-award strategy including subcontracting activities, that strengthen financial compliance and oversight is continuously evaluated, monitored, and refined for optimal success and effectiveness. This position will play a key role in co-facilitating efforts to respond to internal and external audits and investigations, as well as perform analysis over compliance areas such as cost transfers, cost sharing, effort certification, subaward invoices, and department research holding funds to understand the causes of non-compliance and identify potential solutions to mitigate these risks.  

The Office of Finance & Treasury actively searches for staff members of exceptional ability and promise who share in Princeton University's commitment to excellence, and who present a diversity of viewpoints and cultures. We offer varied professional opportunities spanning all aspects of financial management, analysis, and processing in support of the teaching and research mission. As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to both diversity and community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all our colleagues.

• Subaward Duties
  • Review the subaward agreement for compliance with applicable University policies, state, and federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance and the Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses, and the terms and conditions of prime award. Of particular importance will be confirming the agreement type as either cost reimbursable or fixed price as this will inform us whether advanced payments to the subawardee are allowable.
  • Review invoices submitted by subrecipients to ensure financial compliance with the terms and conditions of the subaward agreement. Verify critical factors including billing periods, applicable F&A rates, certification statement, cost share expenditures, special conditions (e.g., back-up documentation requirements receipts, vouchers, ledger), etc. given the receipt of invoices from increasingly diverse range of organizations.
  • Review invoices for unallowable costs and ensure appropriate backup documentation when required as a special condition of the award is reviewed, particularly for subawardees that are designated as high risk.
  • Coordinate with the department grants managers, PIs, ORPA and the subrecipient contacts when subaward invoices are either financially and/or programmatically non-compliant and therefore should not be paid. Work collectively to resolve the issues to allow the research and/or payment of the invoices to proceed.
• Cash Management Activities
• Compliance Duties
• Other Duties

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 4 - 6 years of related experience
• Strong financial and accounting skills and experience
• Strong planning, organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail and ability to think critically.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated superior customer service orientation.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel, and other electronic databases and financial systems, ideally PeopleSoft Grants
• Experience effectively multi-tasking in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment with a high degree of accuracy and organization.
• Must possess the ability to thrive in a busy, high-volume, and deadline driven work team environment that requires coordination of multiple activities and the judgment and flexibility to reprioritize to accommodate emergency requests.
• Ability to read and understand government grant and contract language and understand federal rules and regulations.
• Understanding of foreign currency exchanges and billing issues
• Interpersonal and customer service skills are needed to work with multiple departments and sponsoring agencies.
• This position must adapt well to change and continuous learning and improvement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or relevant field
• Knowledge of the audit environment with specific respect to subawards will be highly valuable.
• General knowledge of federal cost principles/standards that apply to non-educational institutions (i.e., commercial organizations, foreign organizations) is preferable.
• CPA
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft, Princeton ERA, Cognos
• Experience with the administration and accounting for federal sponsored research grants
• Experience at Princeton University or a university like Princeton University

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS