Research Finance Specialist I - Cash Team

Brigham and Women's Hospital•Somerville, MA

52d•$52,000 - $74,402•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Finance Specialist I (RFS I) plays a vital role within the Mass General Brigham central research management office, serving as a key liaison for Principal Investigators (PIs) and Department Administrators across Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and other institutions within the Mass General Brigham System. The RFS I is dedicated to implementing best practices in grants and contracts administration, consistently maintaining the highest standards of integrity and fiduciary responsibility. In this capacity, the RFS I proactively manages the complexities of research grant administration by delivering exemplary customer service to Mass General Brigham's esteemed research community and collaborators, supporting their groundbreaking work in science and medicine. As the primary point of contact for cash and wire payments related to research projects, the RFS I handles a substantial volume of financial transactions. Key responsibilities include accurately identifying and recording revenue, reviewing and processing journal entries, assisting with the reconciliation of hospital research cash accounts, and promptly investigating unidentified payments. The RFS I operates both autonomously and collaboratively within a dynamic team environment to advance the objectives of the Research Finance team and Mass General Brigham Research Management as a whole. The complexity and volume of work will align with experience, offering opportunities for increased responsibility and deeper engagement with successful performance.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Finance or Accounting required
At least 1-2 years of Financial Analysis experience preferred
Strong understanding of financial principles, accounting practices, and budget management.
Familiarity with research funding mechanisms, grant management, and funding agency regulations.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret financial data, identify trends, and provide strategic recommendations.
Effective communication and presentation skills to convey complex financial information to various stakeholders.
Detail-oriented approach with strong organizational and time management skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with researchers, administrators, and finance teams.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree Related Field of Study preferred

Responsibilities

Accurately record daily research revenue payments received via bank lockboxes, wire transfers, and U.S. mail.
Utilize research and financial management systems to correctly allocate payments to the appropriate research projects and invoices, coordinating with MGB Finance and Research Management teams to ensure precise payment recording.
Collaborate with MGB Corporate Accounting to reconcile hospital operating cash accounts, providing reconciled research payment data to the MGB Cash Accounting team monthly, and addressing inquiries as necessary.
Investigate unidentified research payments by liaising with sponsors, Department Administrators, Principal Investigators, and other Research Management personnel to accurately assign revenue; ensure all payments are identified and posted by month-end.
Respond promptly to inquiries from MGB Corporate Accounting, Research Finance, Department Administrators, and Principal Investigators, delivering exceptional customer service.
Coordinate with Research Management teams to update records in research and financial systems, ensuring timely and accurate revenue crediting to projects.
Prepare and review suspense accounts, monitoring the timely resolution and clearance of outstanding items.
Support management by identifying process improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency across all operational areas.
Collaborate with the Finance Manager and senior staff on complex financial transactions.
Leverage electronic Financial Management and Workday reports to effectively monitor and manage workflow.
Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned to support team and organizational goals.