Financial Analyst - ICTS Coordinator Core

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Analyst serves as the primary resource for clinical trial budget development, negotiation, and financial implementation within the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) Research Coordinator Core. The position reviews complex clinical research protocols, coordinates institutional cost assessments, and supports financial management throughout the study lifecycle. It collaborates with investigators, study teams, ancillary departments, billing compliance personnel, University administration, and external sponsors to support accurate budgets, appropriate cost recovery, compliance with institutional requirements, and timely study activation. The role manages a high-volume portfolio of clinical trials and amendments in various stages of budget development, negotiation, activation, maintenance, and closeout. The position also completes account reconciliations and financial reports, investigates discrepancies, supports research billing compliance, and performs budget analysis and negotiation. It applies University and clinical research financial policies, identifies potential compliance concerns, and coordinates with appropriate offices. Transaction processing is limited and generally arises from budget analysis, reconciliation, or related financial work. The analyst may provide colleagues with task-specific guidance or training on established budgeting, documentation, and reconciliation processes. The ICTS at the University of Iowa supports investigators in clinical and translational science. Its mission is to accelerate translational science through workforce development, community and stakeholder engagement, lifespan research integration, and innovative clinical and translational research. The position is hybrid within Iowa, with remote work required to be performed within the state and in compliance with University policies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 1 year of accounting and/or financial experience.
General knowledge of accounting practices.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency with computer software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and various databases.

Nice To Haves

Experience with financial contracts.
Experience with University insurance and/or billing processes.
Experience with or knowledge of clinical trials or human subject research.
Experience preparing and negotiating budgets.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Experience with University of Iowa accounting and financial systems.
Knowledge of University of Iowa business policies, procedures, and regulations.

Responsibilities

Review complex clinical trial protocols and schedules of events to identify required procedures, research activities, billing considerations, sponsor obligations, and institutional resource requirements.
Manage a high-volume portfolio of clinical trial budgets and amendments, including start-up budgets, protocol revisions, maintenance updates, and sponsor negotiations.
Coordinate and submit internal cost assessments to institutional departments and service centers to obtain protocol-specific pricing and feasibility information.
Compile protocol-specific pricing, document assumptions, and identify items requiring additional review or approval.
Monitor and reconcile account expenditures and balances, investigate irregularities and discrepancies, respond to account inquiries, and recommend or implement corrective action.
Analyze and audit account statements and reports for compliance with source-of-funding guidelines.
Participate in workgroups and committees reviewing ICTS clinical research administrative finances and practices; analyze information, make recommendations, and implement changes as appropriate.
Complete recurring account reconciliations for patients on clinical trials and prepare basic and complex recurring financial reports.
Collaborate with Research Billing Compliance, study teams, and departmental personnel to resolve and document account discrepancies and reimbursement issues.
Assist the Research Billing Compliance Office with assigning patient expenses to insurance or industry sponsors using EPIC, Tableau, and OnCore, and liaise with the Joint Office of Compliance on billing compliance issues.
Consult stakeholders and administrators on clinical trial budget analysis and submissions involving external financial support.
Analyze and negotiate clinical trial budgets with industry sponsors, consortiums, and cooperative groups.
Perform routine and limited complex financial analyses using established templates and systems, and assist with non-routine analyses and financial proformas as assigned.
Serve as lead liaison to University Counsel, accounting offices, faculty, staff, and industry representatives.
Prepare documentation, submit routing forms, obtain contract approvals, and monitor follow-up.
Maintain knowledge of current clinical trial financial policies and regulations; apply University and clinical research financial policies and coordinate potential compliance concerns with appropriate offices.
Provide task-specific guidance or training to colleagues on established clinical trial budgeting, documentation, and reconciliation processes, as needed.