Cost Analyst

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy•Baltimore, DC

13h•$90,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

AURA is hiring a Cost Analyst who will be responsible for supporting AURA’s Indirect cost and rate management including development, performing and reviewing cost allocations, financial analysis and reporting for corporate functions and completing ad hoc financial analysis. The role requires the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines, extreme attention to detail, and consistently accurate, high-quality financial analyses. Serves as a point of contact in conducting audits and reviews as required by AURA and NSF. Supports the development or runs the modeling of indirect cost recovery rates for application to the AURA Corporate Office and AURA NSF funded Center activity and serves as point of contact during negotiation of the rates with NSF.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant professional experience or master’s degree and three years of relevant professional experience
Audit experience either as an auditor or managing an incoming audit.
Experience in US Government Cost Accounting principles and/or indirect rate models.
High proficiency in MS Excel (e.g., formulas, pivot tables, tables and graph production) and in MS PowerPoint.
Strong analytical skills
Ability to write precisely and concisely
Ability to influence and work in a support role
Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
Ability to work independently and under high pressure
Equivalent education and experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience with DELTEK/Costpoint
Working knowledge of COGNOS/BI8.

Responsibilities

Responsible for maintaining monthly NICRA rate and allocation modeling. Use financial module to reconcile and identify any pool or account setup issues, work with stakeholders to make adjustment in Costpoint to fix the issues.
Perform in-depth financial analysis of indirect and fringe costs against OMB and FAR cost regulations
Calculate indirect cost recovery rates for application to AURA NSF funded Center activity. Ensuring appropriate application in the application of provisional and provisional to final reconciliation.
Support the preparation of annual NICRA rates proposal, Incurred Cost Submission (ICS) preparation and incurred cost audits (ICAs).
Track progress of indirect rate negotiations and indirect and fringe rates in the context of total budget submissions
Support AURA’s indirect rate development and modeling during quarterly forecast and annual budgeting process
Serve as a primary point of contact for departments and personnel regarding the development of service center budgets.
Review service center budgets in comparison to actual cost in the evaluation of its appropriateness.
Review service center actual costs for appropriateness and allowable transactions
Manage and communicate with departments regarding the annual internal rate development of service centers and review/approve with leadership.
Coordinates and is the primary point of contact in conducting audits and reviews as required by AURA and NSF.
Interact with the various government agencies concerning compliance and reporting issues.
Interface with programmatic, contracts, and finance teams daily to resolve any outstanding cost issues and assist the programmatic teams with any specific performer financial
Provide compliance, financial, and budget analyses as appropriate both for senior management and for departments.
Assist in the development of internal control policies, procedures and record keeping systems that are in compliance with all relevant laws, rules, regulations and AURA CAS policies and procedures.
Assists in monitoring compliance with Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 and other internal policies and procedures. Recommend changes to policies and procedures where needed, as applicable and appropriate.
Manage and/or perform periodical or ad hoc financial data analysis, queries, reconciliations and reports as needed from AURA’s senior management or to satisfy external client or audit requests.
Additional responsibilities may be assigned as business needs evolve.
Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position.