Assistant Manager/Manager (Research Finance)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the National University of Singapore's Finance Team as a Finance Business Partner. This role involves providing financial advisory, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with financial policies, while leading financial operations within various research institutes. Ideal candidates will have an Accounting Degree, strong analytical skills, and a passion for making an impact in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Mentorship and career development opportunities

Collaborative team culture

Continuous learning programs

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant working experience required.
• Exposure to grant budgets and financial compliance advantageous.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills expected.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial operations and reporting for Research Centres.
• Coordinate annual budget and participate in strategic financial planning.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Stakeholder service-focused

Analytical

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Accounting Degree/ACCA or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

SAP accounting system

Job description

About Us

Join the National University of Singapore (NUS) Finance Team – Where Innovation Meets Excellence

At NUS, the Office of Finance stands as a dynamic and strategic partner, driving financial sustainability and operational excellence. Our team plays a crucial role in overseeing financial planning, optimising resources, and enabling the University’s ambition and innovation.

We are at the forefront of formulating, reviewing, and analysing the University’s operating, strategic, and capital budgets. Through strong governance, robust financial processes, and cutting-edge systems, we ensure every dollar is put to its best use, fueling research, education, and transformation.

Why Join Us?

Make an Impact: Play a key role in shaping financial strategies that influence the University’s growth and global standing.

Growth & Development: We believe in continuous learning, offering mentorship, career development, and upskilling opportunities.

Collaborative Culture: Join a high-performing team that values trust, innovation, and excellence.

Finance Transformation: Be part of initiatives leveraging SAP S4 Hana, AI-driven analytics, and digital finance solutions to drive efficiency and future-ready finance operations.

If you are passionate about finance, thrive in a dynamic environment, and want to be part of a team that drives meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us and be a part of shaping the future of finance at NUS!

Website: https://nus.edu.sg/finance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nus-office-of-finance/

Job purpose

Reporting to Research Finance Cluster Lead, the incumbent will act as a Finance Business Partner to the designated Research Centre / Institutes within the cluster:

• Provide financial and business advisories to the Institutes that are critical to their decision-making purposes and ensure compliance with University’s financial policies and procedures, and funding agencies’ terms & conditions / guidelines.

• Foster and maintain a regular working relationship within the Institutes, central shared services teams, and other functional partners.

Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Management and Oversight

• Ensure smooth day-to-day financial operations of the designated Research Centre (RCE) / Institutes (RICs) within the cluster, including exercising financial control over budget expenditure, revenue collection and financial reporting.

• Drive the annual budget and forecast exercises by coordinating all movements of budget, ensuring timely submission of budgets to central teams.

• Participate in strategic meetings and budget planning sessions with the Institutes’ management, providing valuable financial insights to aid decision-making.

• Analyse Institutes’ financial positions and funding status, offer insights and recommendations for periodic reporting to the Institutes’ management for decision-making processes.

• Prepare and present financial performance reports to the Institutes’ Governing Board/ Strategic Board, etc, ensuring clarity and accuracy of information.

• Oversee grant claim statements preparation and timely submission to funding agencies, including liaison with auditors and fulfilment of audit requirements, and prompt response to queries for a smooth and timely audit fieldwork.

• Work collaboratively with the Institutes’ stakeholders and central shared services teams during financial year-end closing and grants’ closing activities to ensure all legitimate transactions are properly recorded and all financial reports are accurately prepared.

Governance, Controls and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with related tax filing matters including GST, withholding tax and taxable benefits for personal claims.

• Timely perform Risk Control Matrix (RCM) testing and address anomalies to mitigate financial risks, and ensure certification sign-off by Institutes’ HOA before the financial year’s closing deadline.

• Liaise with internal auditors on all internal audit matters, where required.

• Coordinate and oversee the annual fixed assets verification exercise of the designated Institutes. Work collaboratively with Institutes’ stakeholders to ensure compliance with the verification procedures and maintain accurate records of fixed assets.

Leadership

• Execute plans and strategies outlined by Cluster Lead, ensuring that team goals align with the broader NUS / research finance cluster objectives.

• Resolve operational issues and challenges, making decisions with defined parameters and escalating complex issues when necessary.

Grant and Fund Management

• Partner closely with Institutes (as host institution) for effective grant administration, provide financial guidance throughout the grant lifecycle and facilitate budget allocation for various projects and funding sources, to enhance the host institute’s financial stability and research pursuits.

• Collaborate with budget owners to manage grants / funds and proactively identify issues for timely solutions and ensure optimal utilisation of funds.

• Ensure full understanding and compliance with the terms and conditions of the grants as predetermined in the signed letter of awards / agreements.

Process Improvement and Stakeholder Communication

• Proactively engage with Institutes’ stakeholders to understand their needs, challenges and goals.

• Provide guidance and updates to stakeholders on finance policies, guidelines and procedures, as and when required.

• Identify opportunities to develop guidelines and streamline financial processes for operational efficiency and resource optimization.

• Participate in change initiatives such as projects, system implementation and other assignments as may be directed from time to time.

• Undertake ad-hoc tasks as requested by Institutes or assigned by Cluster lead.

Qualifications

• Accounting Degree/ACCA or equivalent with at least 5 years of relevant working experience

• Exposure to grant budgets, funding agencies’ regulations and financial compliance requirements in a research or education environment will be advantageous

• Technically competent with up-to-date knowledge of accounting / audit standards and practices

• Ability to quickly learn and grasp the implications of terms and conditions for each managed grant

• Highly stakeholder service-focused and strong in communication skills with the ability to build positive working relations and work collaboratively with people at all levels

• Highly analytical with exceptional problem-solving and organisational skills

• Self-motivated individual and able to work with minimal supervision in a dynamic environment with competing demands for resources

• A keen sense of ownership and accountability, and act with a sense of urgency to meet tight deadlines

• Proficient in using MS Office and has relevant experience in SAP accounting system and flexibility to adapt new software applications, where applicable

• Only Singaporeans may apply

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: [National University of Singapore]

Department : [Office of Finance]

Employee Referral Eligible: Yes

Job requisition ID : 28089