Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax

Telework Friendly: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Global Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Literacy (GAIL) Research team supports the Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Vision and Mission by performing research, development, rapid prototyping, and testing of AI/ML technologies, as well as accelerate AI/ML literacy throughout the DoD and other government agencies to include Partner Nations.

About the Position:

The Financial Specialist will support the research efforts of the GAIL Research team in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC). The Financial Specialist will provide financial analysis, budgeting, fiscal operations, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare monthly financial reports for Principal Investigator (PI) that includes both sponsored research activity as well as center operation costs funded through indirect funding sources;
• Provide analysis of financial performance to PI and CEC leadership teams on a quarterly basis;
• Assist Portfolio Managers (PMs) and PI with monthly portfolio financial summaries consisting of all government contract and subcontract modifications, funding increments, expenditures, and financial burn rates for all projects;
• Provide PI and PMs with status of funds for awards, as well as provide project funding projections to include earned value analysis for subcontractors;
• Assist PI and Leadership team ensuring adequate funding availability by maintaining accurate records of expenditures, directing preparation of expenditure projections, and supports submitting timely requests for additional funding to the government; and
• Work with PI and CEC Research Administrators to create budgets and budget justifications that accurately reflect the effort and resource commitments of each proposal.

Fiscal Operations:

• In partnership with CEC Research Administrator, PI and Program Managers, ensure proper labor allocations for faculty and staff between projects and indirect funding sources;
• Assist with reviewing and approving financial transactions such as purchase card transactions, reimbursement requests, and purchase order requisitions;
• Review financial transactions to ensure compliance with University policies and procedures to include reconciliation of non-sponsored research orgs. Initiate request for any journal vouchers required to correct incorrect charges;
• Assist CEC Research Administrators with reconciliation of sponsored research funds and preparation of necessary correcting entries;
• Ensure fixed assets are properly inventoried, asset tagged and safeguarded in accordance with University policies and procedures. Assist PM and PI with government furnished property requirements as necessary; and
• Other duties as assigned by the PI to support fiscal management of the research portfolio.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Considerable experience in a position performing financial analysis;
• Experience with budget development and reporting of financial results;
• Experience briefing senior leaders on financial results;
• Experience working with diverse populations;
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of data into easily understood financial reports;
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal);
• Advanced MS Office skills in word processing, Excel, and PowerPoint; and
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial systems or software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field;
• Substantial financial analysis experience;
• Experience working in a university setting;
• Prior experience with supporting sponsored research and conducting cost analysis; and
• Knowledge of Microstrategy and Banner.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Financial Specialist at ; complete and submit the online application; and provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Posting Open Date: November 6, 2023

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 17, 2023

Open Until Filled?: Yes