Financial Data Analyst

Our Grants Accounting Team is responsible for managing financial data for sponsored and non-sponsored programs, ensuring transparency, and compliance. The Grants Financial Data Analyst will primarily specialize in Commitment Accounting (payroll and effort), grant financials reconciliation, and compliance analysis. This position will work under the guidance of the Grants Accounting Manager and will regularly report to and advise senior leadership in the Office of Grants and Contracts Administration and Finance on relevant business process redesigns and assist on business office projects as assigned.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of commitment accounting principles, with a focus on payroll and effort allocation, to accurately track grant expenditures.
• Collaborate with project managers, HR, and other stakeholders to ensure precise recording of payroll expenses and effort allocations for each grant.
• Support processing payroll adjustments regularly by maintaining and updating employee salary and effort allocations.
• Interact with Principal Investigators, Department Administrators, and provide analytical support to CNRI post-award financial management teams and leadership.
• Perform and oversee manual adjustments to financial data, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of grant commitments, expenses, and effort allocations.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of payroll and effort adjustments, ensuring compliance with grant regulations and internal policies.
• Work closely with the HR team to validate payroll distributions aligned with approved budgets and project activities.
• Utilize advanced Excel skills to conduct thorough data analysis related to grants and generate insightful reports to monitor spending, commitments, and project progress.
• Present findings in a clear and organized manner to stakeholders and management.
• Work extensively in PeopleSoft Human Capital Management (HCM) and Finance modules, as well as Huron Effort Certification (eCrt) system and make daily use of the system to generate queries, reports, and carry out business-critical processes.
• Perform periodic quality assurance checks on financial data to maintain data accuracy and integrity.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Grants Management, HR, and Finance, to ensure seamless grant financial processes.
• Gain basic knowledge of the applicable OMB Circulars and other Federal regulations pertinent to grants and contracts accounting and undergo necessary training to stay up-to-date with these regulations.
• Address ad hoc data requests from management and funding agencies, providing valuable insights in a timely manner.
• As a subject matter expert, contribute to system & process development and improvement discussion, planning, and testing.
• May assist with Annual Audit and Desk audits as needed.
• May conduct account review and analysis to ensure compliance with institutional and federal regulations, while identifying discrepancies and implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Bachelor's in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of professional experience in finance, accounting, or data analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills with a proven ability to manipulate and interpret complex financial data.
• Must complete an Excel assessment and demonstrate advanced Excel skills.
• Proficiency in financial analysis tools and data visualization software is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate data management.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within a team.
• Problem-solving mindset and ability to troubleshoot financial discrepancies.
• Analytical skills and knowledge of financial analysis techniques.
• Ability to think critically, multi-task, and prioritize projects.
• Self-motivated and intuitive thinker.
• Ability to communicate effectively with process stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare ad-hoc reports.
• Proficiency in managing and understanding data, including various grant and contract-related data.
• Understanding of office systems. Understanding interfaces between systems is a plus.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft HCM and Finance and query development is a plus.
• Familiarity with regulations governing grants and contracts is a plus.