Senior Financial Analyst - ICTS Coordinator Core

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Financial Analyst is an integral member of the research team in the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) Research Coordinator Core. The position performs complex accounting functions, audits clinical trial financial reports, negotiates clinical trial budgets, and assists Principal Investigators and others with budget writing. It independently resolves complex, non-routine clinical trial financial issues, provides financial recommendations to stakeholders, and supports interpretation and improvement of research financial processes. The role provides clinical trial budget oversight; analyzes financial information for trial budget preparation; reviews accounts and reports for compliance with funding guidelines; monitors and reconciles expenditures; investigates irregularities; advises stakeholders on account status and usage; and recommends or implements corrective actions. It assists with account reviews and audits, opens and closes accounts, prepares financial statements and reports, maintains expense and revenue records, supports financial planning, analyzes trends and variances, responds to financial inquiries, and contributes to accounting and reporting policies and procedures. The analyst performs recurring clinical-trial account reconciliations; prepares invoices for faculty and staff services; monitors outstanding accounts; and prepares monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and ad hoc reports. The position coordinates with the Research Billing Compliance Office to assign patient expenses to insurance or industry sponsors using the study budget and systems including EPIC, Tableau, and OnCore, and serves as a liaison with the Joint Office of Compliance on billing issues. It applies financial and clinical-trial management systems to analyze budgets, model scenarios, and resolve non-routine issues. The role consults with Principal Investigators, grant accountants, and administrators on budgets for externally supported clinical research; prepares, analyzes, and negotiates clinical-trial budgets; liaises with University Counsel, accounting offices, faculty, staff, and industry representatives; and handles supporting documentation, routing forms, and approvals. It also advises and educates colleagues on policies and regulations, may develop or deliver training, may provide staff training and supervision, and leads process-improvement projects. The analyst participates in workgroups and committees, contributes to clinical-trial billing and budgeting best practices, and supports implementation of financial policies and workflows. Transaction processing is minimal and may involve reviewing transactions initiated by others as part of financial analysis or oversight. The University of Iowa’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Science supports investigators in clinical and translational science. Its mission is to accelerate translational science through workforce development, community and stakeholder engagement, research integration across the lifespan, and innovative research, with the goal of improving health in Iowa and the nation. This position is hybrid within Iowa, combining on-campus and remote work; remote work must be performed within Iowa and comply with University policies. The position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 3 years of accounting and/or financial experience.
At least 1 year of clinical research financial management experience.
Experience managing complex information with strong attention to detail.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of accounting practices and computer software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases.

Nice To Haves

Experience with University insurance and/or billing processes.
Experience with or knowledge of clinical trials or human-subject research.
Experience preparing and negotiating clinical-trial budgets.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Experience with University of Iowa accounting financial systems and clinical-trial management software.

Responsibilities

Provide clinical-trial budget oversight and analyze financial information for trial budget preparation.
Review, analyze, and audit accounts and reports for compliance with funding guidelines.
Monitor and reconcile expenditures, investigate irregularities, answer account inquiries, advise on account usage and status, and recommend or implement corrective actions.
Assist granting agency auditors, Principal Investigators, and staff with periodic, intermittent, and terminal account reviews.
Open and close accounts; prepare monthly statements and other financial reports; maintain records tracking expenses and revenues.
Support financial planning, analyze statistical data, evaluate trends and variances, develop financial recommendations and proformas, and reconcile account balances.
Respond to financial inquiries and contribute to accounting and reporting policies, procedures, and standards.
Reconcile accounts related to clinical-trial patients; prepare invoices for faculty and staff services; monitor outstanding accounts and routine reporting.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and ad hoc financial reports, including complex analyses of trends, exceptions, and financial implications.
Coordinate with the Research Billing Compliance Office to assign patient expenses to insurance or industry sponsors in accordance with budgets using EPIC, Tableau, and OnCore.
Serve as liaison with the Joint Office of Compliance regarding billing compliance issues.
Consult with Principal Investigators, grant accountants, and administrators on clinical research budgets with external financial support.
Prepare, analyze, and negotiate clinical-trial budgets with industry sponsors, consortiums, and cooperative groups.
Liaise with University Counsel, accounting offices, faculty, staff, and industry representatives; prepare documentation, submit routing forms, and obtain contract approvals.
Participate in training and educational opportunities; advise and educate faculty, staff, and others on policies, procedures, and accounting regulations.
Recommend and assist with training or guidance on complex clinical-trial financial processes and University policies; may train, oversee, and supervise staff.
Lead and oversee process-improvement projects.
Participate in workgroups and committees concerning clinical-research finances, billing, budgeting, and best practices; recommend and implement appropriate changes.
Contribute to financial policies, procedures, and guidance for account management, reporting, and clinical-trial workflows; advise stakeholders and support approved improvements.
Review transactions initiated by others when they relate to financial analysis or oversight.