Senior Financial Analyst - ICTS Coordinator Core

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Financial Analyst is an integral member of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) Research Coordinator Core. The role performs complex accounting functions, audits clinical trial financial reports, negotiates clinical trial budgets, and assists principal investigators and others with budget writing. It independently addresses complex, non-routine clinical trial financial issues, provides financial recommendations to stakeholders, and supports interpretation and improvement of research financial processes. The position provides financial oversight and budgeting, including analyzing and reconciling accounts, monitoring expenditures, preparing reports and invoices, maintaining financial records, and advising stakeholders on account status and financial processes. It develops or evaluates financial analyses, trends, variances, exceptions, and proformas to support planning and decision-making. The role also supports clinical research budget submissions and contract preparation, coordinates with compliance and accounting groups, and uses applicable financial and clinical trial management systems to evaluate budgets and resolve issues. The analyst advises and educates faculty, staff, and others on relevant policies, procedures, and accounting regulations; may provide staff training, oversight, and functional or administrative supervision; and leads process-improvement projects. The role participates in workgroups and committees related to clinical research finances, billing, and budgeting, and contributes to implementation and improvement of financial policies and workflows. Transaction processing is minimal and may include reviewing transactions initiated by others for financial analysis or oversight. This position is eligible for hybrid work, combining on-campus and remote work. Remote work must be performed within Iowa and comply with the university's remote work program and related 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 and 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 various 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.
Knowledge of University of Iowa business policies, procedures, and regulations.

Responsibilities

Provide clinical trial budget oversight and analyze financial information to assist with trial budget preparation.
Review, analyze, and audit accounts and reports for compliance with funding guidelines.
Monitor and reconcile account expenditures, address irregularities and inquiries, advise on account usage and status, and recommend or implement corrective action.
Assist and advise auditors, principal investigators, and staff during periodic, intermittent, and terminal account reviews; open and close accounts.
Prepare monthly statements, maintain expense and revenue records, and assist in developing financial proformas for planning.
Obtain and analyze statistical data for reports and presentations; evaluate complex financial trends, variances, and exceptions and develop recommendations and proformas where applicable.
Maintain account balances and reconcile differences between account balances and external sources.
Respond to financial inquiries from stakeholders and contribute to implementation of accounting and reporting policies, procedures, standards, and practices.
Complete recurring account reconciliations for patients on clinical trials.
Prepare and submit invoices for faculty and staff services, monitor outstanding accounts, and perform routine account reporting.
Obtain and enter information and ensure it is current and accurate.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and ad hoc financial reports, including complex reports analyzing trends, exceptions, and financial implications.
Coordinate with the Research Billing Compliance Office to filter and assign patient expenses to insurance or industry sponsors in accordance with budgets using EPIC, Tableau, and Oncore; liaise with the Joint Office of Compliance on billing compliance issues.
Apply financial and clinical trial management systems to evaluate complex budgets, model financial scenarios, and resolve non-routine issues.
Consult with principal investigators, grant accountants, and administrators on budgets for externally funded clinical research studies.
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, obtain contract approvals, and follow up as needed.
Participate in training and educational opportunities related to clinical trial billing, budgeting, and best practices.
Advise and educate faculty, staff, and others on policies, procedures, and accounting regulations; recommend and assist with developing and delivering training or guidance.
May provide staff training, oversight, and functional or administrative supervision.
Lead and oversee process-improvement projects.
Participate in workgroups and committees reviewing ICTS clinical research administrative finances and practices, including clinical trial management system committees, and recommend or implement changes as appropriate.
Participate in multidisciplinary workgroups on clinical trial billing and budgeting best practices.
Contribute to financial policies, procedures, guidance documents, account management, reporting practices, and clinical trial financial workflows; advise stakeholders on complex policy questions and support approved improvements.
Review transactions initiated by others when related to financial analysis or oversight.