Student Financial Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR

The School of Dentistry (SoD) shares the mission of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to provide educational programs, basic and clinical research, and high-quality care and community programs. We strive to foster an environment of mutual respect where the free exchange of ideas can flourish. The dental school prepares graduates in general dentistry and dental specialties to deliver compassionate and ethical oro-facial health care. 

This position is responsible for managing post-award grant-related activities for SoD PIs, assisting with the department operations finances, and addressing other financial responsibilities. This position performs financial modeling in support of strategic and operational decisions and provides ad hoc reporting to support operational adjustments to changing external or internal conditions. This role includes providing cost center reporting, analysis and guidance; post-award financial reporting; department budget development; and overall financial management of grants within the department.

Fiscal responsibilities can include, but are not limited to, routine financial reporting and projections, analyze NIH and other grant budgets-to-actual variances, independently perform complex financial analysis and evaluation and with resolutions as needed, revenue and expense processing and tracking, expense review & approval, post-award support, and budget development, General Ledger (GL) and Service Center specific accounting/reporting/forecasting; management of labor distribution and certification; provide post-award grants management (basic and clinical) to include financial planning, reporting and forecasting support; ensure compliance on financial processes and procedures.

Position actively works with Director, Research, and other OHSU partners (OPAM, OHSU Finance, etc.) to resolve questions, issues and/or errors, ensuring adherence to internal and external applicable policies. Additional responsibilities include assist external auditors with financial activity questions; participation in post-award team meetings, department and team meetings, development of department policies/procedures, advising and training others on financial matters and special projects as requested by OHSU leadership and faculty.

This position requires expertise in OHSU, federal/NIH and other regulatory/funding agency policies, Oracle, OGA, Cognos, UFO, and other university information systems. Other responsibilities include identifying problems in changing environments, recommending solutions, and communicating important information to Providers, PIs, and Department personnel. Functions as critical central team member in the development and implementation of a cohesive fiscal and administrative program to serve the SoD¿s research mission. This position works with both the SoD Finance team and in the SoD Office of Research. 

• Bachelor's degree AND
• Five years of grants/contracts administration experience or five years of post-award financial analysis experience, OR
• Seven years of grants/contracts administration experience or seven years of post-award financial analysis experience, OR
• Certification from the Society of Research Administrators (CRA) AND five years of grant and contracts administration experience
• All candidates must be highly proficient with the use of computers, including database and spreadsheet applications spreadsheet skills, including complex functions, formulas, and formatting
• Experience with relational databases
• Understanding of financial reporting concepts such as cost accounting and net present value analysis
• Knowledge of the financial requirements and systems relevant to sponsored research; mastery of MS Excel; familiarity with NIH grant administration practices and rules
• Excellent demonstrated attendance record
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Proven analytical skills; ability to manage multiple complex problems and prioritize work load to ensure projects completed in a timely manner
• Must be detail-oriented
• Knowledge or ability to learn electronic grant submission processes
• Ability to exercise diplomacy, establish effective working relationships and maintain a high degree of professionalism with internal and external customers, including students, faculty, research staff, supporting departments, and all levels of leadership

• BS in Accounting, Finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Note: If from a related field, candidate must have 18 hours of accounting courses from an accredited college or university
• Certification or formal training in grants management a plus
• Minimum 5 years of experience in post-award sponsored projects accounting, specifically with NIH-sponsored projects and multi-center grants
• 7 years of experience with post-award sponsored projects accounting at OHSU
• Mastery of Oracle
• Experience extracting data from Cognos
• Familiarity/experience with UFO and CANDID a plus
• Proficient in OHSU financial management tools (including General Ledger, iProcurement, Labor Distribution, TM1 Analytics, and Smartsheet)