Financial Specialist Sr. (Post-Award)

Financial Specialist Sr. - Post Award Job Profile: Financial Analyst 2 Job Family: Budget, Planning and Financial Analysis Time Type: Full time Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary: Performs routine and operational financial analysis, reporting, and systems development in support of other financial activities within the institution. Performs commitment analysis, variance analysis (actual vs budget); revenue and expense projections/forecasts. May have interactions outside department, as functionally required.

Job Description:

The School of Life Science is seeking a collaborative and service-oriented Financial Specialist Sr. - Post Award to join its Research Advancement team. Under the supervision of the Research Advancement Administrator Sr, Post-award, this position will provide support with Post Award Workday processing, account and payroll monitoring, account reconciliations, and account management of sponsored projects. This position will also participate in financial meetings and expense planning on sponsored accounts working side by side with the investigators of the project. This position will work closely with business operations team in SOLS. This is an in-person role with a hybrid arrangement that allows two remote days per week.

Position

Salary

Range: $55,000 - $65,000 annually

Essential Duties:

Manage all areas of award management, which may include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the primary post-award contact for an assigned portfolio of faculty investigators and sponsored projects.
• Provide financial guidance to investigators on sponsored project expenditures, projections, allowability, sponsor requirements, and compliance.
• Review and interpret award documents, sponsor terms and conditions, funding restrictions, and reporting requirements.
• Manage sponsored project accounts and approve expenditures in accordance with ASU policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance.
• Monitor, reconcile, and forecast project accounts, including salary commitments, projected expenses, subaward activity, burn-rate analysis, expense transfers, and effort reporting.
• Provide administrative support for post-award actions, including at-risk requests, pre-award costs, re-budgets, no-cost extensions, renewals, and periodic reports.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with university, sponsor, regulatory, and financial requirements; identify compliance concerns and assist with resolution.
• Collaborate with ORSPA, Knowledge Enterprise Award Management, the Business Office, investigators, and departmental staff on award modifications, invoicing, closeouts, negotiations, reporting, and fund approvals.
• Prepare standard and non-standard financial and accounting reports for research investigators.
• Resolve fund management issues, correct errors, and support accurate invoicing to ensure timely revenue collection.
• Maintain project records and files, determine appropriate handling of financial transactions, and approve transactions within designated authority limits.
• Serve as a resource and provide process guidance or training to investigators, business staff, and post-award Research Advancement staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in research administration, particularly post-award financial management.
• Demonstrated experience managing cost share commitments, tracking, documentation, and reporting.
• Experience interpreting and applying Uniform Guidance, federal agency terms, and audit requirements.
• Advanced skill in budget development, multi-year financial planning, and scenario modeling.
• Experience in Financial Management System(s), HR related system(s), Forecasting Tool, and Analytics Reporting.
• Experience in using Advanced Excel functions including pivot table, OneNote, MS Word, MS Teams, Skype, Zoom, and Slack.
• Strong analytical skills, including financial forecasting and variance analysis.
• Experience with effort reporting, payroll certification, and related compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, researchers, and cross-functional administrative units.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly.
• Experience working in environments with competing deadlines, sensitive information, and frequent priority changes.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in an environment subject to regularly changing priorities and strict deadlines requiring regular follow-through.

Working Environment:

• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting, subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work. Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds. Regular use of standard office equipment

Department Statement: The School of Life Sciences (SOLS) has provided a vital hub for creative excellence at Arizona State University, with more than 670 faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff, and research that ranges from studies on biodiesel and biohydrogen to vaccine development and the conservation of whales. As ASU’s first academic unit to fully reflect President Michael Crow’s integrated, interdisciplinary vision for the New American University, the School of Life Sciences offers active and evolving platforms for collaborative, cutting-edge research and faculty whose discovery is freed from traditional institutional boundaries.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU Compensation Estimator

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.