Financial Analyst, Post-Award, Office of Sponsored Projects

The University of Texas at Austin; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Financial Analyst, Post-Award, to join the Office of Sponsored Projects. This role focuses on financial management, analytical reporting, and key processes such as LOC draws, receivables, refunds, and payment reconciliation within post-award grants.

The position requires 5+ years of finance experience, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to interpret grant terms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• At least 5 years of finance experience with forecasting and financial analysis.
• Experience in research administration and governmental or commercial accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills with complex spreadsheets and data models.
• Ability to review and interpret terms and conditions of research grants and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Assists with Funds Management within the Office of Sponsored Projects, reviewing processes for efficiencies.
• Conducts financial and operational analysis, including trend analysis, variance reviews, and reporting.
• Escalates and communicates financial issues, providing timely updates on analytics deliverables and receivables activity.
• Processes weekly LOC (Letter of Credit) draws, including report preparation and balance checks.
• Assists with processing refunds on sponsored funds and maintains status logs.
• Supports day-to-day sponsored receivables activities and aging/status reports.
• Supports program reviews and operational audits, identifying efficiency opportunities.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Skills

Excel advanced

Data analysis

Analytical thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Priority management

Research administration

Grant accounting

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Looker

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Financial Analyst, Post-Award, Office of Sponsored Projects

Hiring Department:

Office of Sponsored Projects

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

Job Details:

General Notes

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. We do that by assisting research faculty and staff with the following: proposal review, authorization, and submission; award negotiations and acceptance; account management; close-out, reports, audits, collection; professional development and education; export control, and research compliance.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• Fully remote

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

This position is responsible for the financial management and analytical support of sponsored programs within OSP Post-Award's Grants Financial Management team. The Financial Analyst conducts data-driven reporting and variance analysis and assists with key financial processes including LOC draws, receivables, refunds, and payment reconciliation. This role serves as an analytical and operational resource for the team, leveraging reporting and automation tools to improve financial accuracy and efficiency across the sponsored programs portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Assists with Funds Management within the Office of Sponsored Projects, reviewing processes for efficiencies and contributing to tools that improve workflow.
• Conducts financial and operational analysis, including trend analysis, variance reviews, and reporting, leveraging manual and automated reporting tools to enhance financial decision-making.
• Escalates and communicates financial issues, providing timely updates on analytics deliverables and receivables activity.
• Processes weekly Letter of Credit (LOC) draws, including preparation of draw reports, creation of supporting vouchers, review of LOC account balances, and income adjustments. Ensures appropriate fund placement for sponsored projects and conducts post-draw reconciliation to verify accurate fund application and maintain correct project balances.
• Assists with processing refunds on sponsored funds by preparing required documentation and coordinating submission through appropriate systems. Maintains status logs to support timely completion.
• Assists with day-to-day sponsored receivables activities, including monitoring outstanding balances, preparing aging and status reports, and tracking incoming payments such as wire transfers, ACH claims, and cash transfers. Research routine discrepancies, including delayed or misapplied funds, compiles supporting documentation for review, and initiates routine collection communications with university departments and external agencies. Maintains related records.
• Supports program reviews and operational audits, identifying efficiency opportunities and recommending workflow improvements.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting with experience in planning, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Experience in research administration and governmental or commercial accounting.
• Experience with costing allocations, reporting and analyzing substantial amounts of data.
• Ability to review and interpret the terms and conditions of research grants and contracts.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including building and maintaining complex spreadsheets, formulas, and data models.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize multiple ongoing responsibilities with accuracy, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to hold masterful communication skills that allow high-level interactions with a varied research administration community.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent teamwork skills; Positive and enthusiastic attitude.
• Eligible to work in the United States for any employer on a full-time basis.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or Business Administration.
• Advanced degree in a related field with 5+ years of experience in one or more areas of preparation, processing, negotiation, and management of grant and contract proposals and awards.
• Experience with Power BI or similar data visualization platforms (Tableau, Look