Portfolio & Grant Accountant, Genetics

Yale Cancer Center; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 68,000 - 120,500; Full time

Job summary

Yale Cancer Center invites applications for a Portfolio & Grant Accountant to manage financial analysis, budgeting, and reporting across a portfolio of sponsored and non-sponsored accounts. You will partner with PIs and departmental leadership to optimize resources and ensure audit-ready financial records.

Responsibilities include developing forecasts, dashboards, and monthly reporting, while ensuring compliance with sponsor terms and Yale policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field.
• Minimum four years of financial experience.
• Experience with sponsored and non-sponsored accounts is preferred.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial analysis and reporting for large, complex portfolios.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor terms and Yale policies.
• Plan and oversee post-award activity and reporting.
• Collaborate with faculty, offices, and sponsors to optimize funds.
• Support monthly financial review and internal controls.

Skills

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder communication

Data analysis

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Workday

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Salary Range

$68,000.00 - $120,500.00

Overview

Reporting to the Finance Manager in the Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, the Portfolio & Grant Accountant provides comprehensive financial management and stewardship for a portfolio of sponsored and non-sponsored accounts. The role has primary responsibility for financial reporting, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning, serving as a trusted advisor to Principal Investigators (PIs) and departmental leadership to support informed decision-making, optimize resource utilization, and proactively manage financial risk across complex funding portfolios.

This position leads the development of short- and long-term financial models and resource plans for PI portfolios, including scenario planning, burn-rate analysis, and funding projections. The Portfolio & Grant Accountant creates, maintains, and updates financial plans and dashboards, delivering clear, accurate, and timely reporting for faculty, PIs, and operational partners. The role cultivates strong working relationships and effective communications with faculty, the Office of Sponsored Projects, departmental leadership, and other key stakeholders to support efficient financial operations and high-quality customer service.

The Portfolio & Grant Accountant ensures compliance with applicable accounting principles, sponsor terms and conditions, and Yale University policies and procedures. The position supports end-to-end monthly financial reporting and compliance processes, including completion of monthly financial review checklist activities for the research mission, identification of issues and variances, initiation and documentation of corrective actions, and coordination with relevant parties to resolve discrepancies and strengthen internal controls. Through continuous process improvement, the role promotes accuracy, accountability, and audit readiness across the portfolio.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Ability to understand, reconcile, and work with financial and payroll activity from multiple systems and sources. Prepares, interprets, and presents detailed accounting reports and statements for stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Builds and maintains strong partnerships; communicates effectively with faculty, PIs, and staff to support research and operational needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous process improvement. Uses data and metrics to monitor processes, identify issues, and support informed, timely decision‑making.
• Works independently with strong initiative and attention to detail. Exercises sound judgment and maintains confidentiality. Maintains a positive, service‑focused approach and collaborates effectively as part of a team.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook (or similar tools). Uses technology to produce clear reports, analyze data, and improve workflow efficiency.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Prior grant and sponsored research management experience (pre- and post-award), including budget development, forecasting, payroll/effort considerations, cost transfers, and closeout; strong understanding of sponsor terms and conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to apply financial and accounting concepts (e.g., allowability/allocability, reconciliations, variance analysis, accruals, internal controls) to produce accurate reports and support compliant decisions.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills; manages competing deadlines and multiple stakeholders while maintaining accuracy, documentation, and high-quality customer service.
• Experience with Workday, including using financial and payroll data and running reports to support month‑end review, reconciliation, and compliance activities.

Principal Responsibilities

• Financial Analysis and Reporting: Present financial information and recommendations through data analysis and reporting in the development and maintenance of large, complex portfolios. Identify and influence strategic opportunities within the portfolio to stakeholders. Research issues, evaluate the entire situation, identify policies, procedures, and guidance material relevant to resolution, and propose a recommendation or solution. Responsible for all financial analysis and budget activities, which includes multiple budgets with various funding levels, staggered budget periods and end dates, varying overhead rates, differing policies regarding allowable costs, and management of the acquisition and loss of sponsor funding.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Monitor and certify policy adherence for all financial activity within the portfolio by incorporating the policies of Yale and various funding agencies into the financial planning and review of expenditure activities. Advise faculty and clients of the appropriate financial policies. Maintain the fiscal integrity of the portfolio and department. Review and approve all expenditures with both sponsor and Yale policies and regulations in mind and ensure proper documentation and support exists to substantiate charges made to sponsored awards.
• Proposal Management and Oversight: Plan, prioritize actions and provide direction across multiple awards and portfolios. Provide oversight counsel and expertise relative to significant impact at the business unit level. Provide a more strategic direction in the management of accounts and collaboration with account holders. Review and interpret sponsor documents (i.e., applications, award notices, and terms and conditions). Handle all activities for assigned portfolios in managing sponsored awards, ensuring the proper and timely filing of sponsor documents, including submissions, modifications, extensions and all post-award required reports (financial, technical, etc.).
• Collaborative and Strategic Finance Partner: Collaborate with other Business Offices, Central Offices, external institutions and sponsoring agencies to ensure the proper management of sponsor funds. Based on the funding and activities of the faculty member or client, identify and propose alternatives for allocating effort, spending pattern adjustments, and allocation methodologies.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree required. Four years of related financial experience required. Demonstrated application of financial, accounting and economic concepts.

EEO Statement

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).