Senior Financial Research Administrator

Washington State University • Pullman, WA

1d • Remote

About The Position

As the Senior Financial Research Administrator, you will serve as a senior specialist, first line supervisor over fiscal related professional staff, responsible for post‑award grant and contract accounting and compliance within financial research administration. You ensure every expense is allowable, allocable, reasonable, and consistent under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). You manage a complex portfolio of awards, which may include sponsors with non‑standard terms, intricate budgets with significant cost share, cross‑functional research collaborations, Centers and Institutes, heavily audited programs, or awards grouped by department rather than sponsor. In this position, you apply advanced knowledge and operate with a high level of independence. You’re expected to devise methods, processes, and solutions for complex issues, especially those with broad or cross‑functional impact, while serving as a trusted expert in research financial compliance. You support Sponsored Program Services (SPS) across the entire Washington State University system, including Pullman, Everett, Spokane, Tri‑Cities, and Vancouver.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, which must include 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting and four (4) years of relevant professional experience, at least one year must include lead or supervisory experience; OR equivalent education/experience.
• A Master’s degree in a financial related field, certification as a Public Accountant, Internal Auditor, Certified Governmental Financial Manager or Management Accountant can be substituted for professional experience.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency level with Microsoft software programs such as Outlook, Excel, Access, Word and PowerPoint to create spreadsheets, graphs, charts and reports, prepare presentations, conduct data analysis and manage information efficiently.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the enterprise resource planning system Workday.
• Knowledge of or experience with OFM accounting regulations (i.e. Uniform Guidance).
• Knowledge of or experience with the WSU UPPM.
• Possess advanced computer skills, specifically working in a Microsoft Windows environment with an emphasis on Excel.
• Possess the ability to communicate technical accounting language and terms in a user-friendly format.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
• Experience with research grants and contracts.
• Experience auditing and reconciling complex financial data.
• Experience leading the work of others.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior specialist and first line supervisor over fiscal related professional staff.
• Responsible for post-award grant and contract accounting and compliance within financial research administration.
• Ensure every expense is allowable, allocable, reasonable, and consistent under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Manage a complex portfolio of awards, which may include sponsors with non-standard terms, intricate budgets with significant cost share, cross-functional research collaborations, Centers and Institutes, heavily audited programs, or awards grouped by department rather than sponsor.
• Apply advanced knowledge and operate with a high level of independence.
• Devise methods, processes, and solutions for complex issues, especially those with broad or cross-functional impact.
• Serve as a trusted expert in research financial compliance.
• Support Sponsored Program Services (SPS) across the entire Washington State University system.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• Retirement
• Deferred compensation
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts
• Training and development
• Employee tuition waiver

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior