ORA Service Center Research Cost Analyst 3, Full Time

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CORE JOB SUMMARY

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

 1. Billing Audit and Reconciliation

• Conducts routine and risk-based audits of service center billing activity to verify that charges posted to sponsored projects align precisely with ORA-approved rate sheets.
• Performs detailed reconciliation of billed amounts against documented units of service maintained in laboratory records or electronic usage systems.
• Monitors billing timeliness to ensure charges are posted, identifies and escalates late or stale charges that may contribute to grant overruns or audit exposure.

2. Rate Sheet Quality Assurance

• Audits cost pool inputs used in rate development to confirm accuracy, completeness, and compliance with quality control standards and appropriate salary allocations.
• Reviews tiered pricing structures to ensure correct application of internal versus external rates, with particular attention to ensuring federal sponsors are charged the lowest allowable internal rate.
• Evaluates service centers receiving institutional subsidies to confirm that subsidy funds are properly applied and reflected in reduced costs to internal users.

3. Systems and Data Integrity

• Reviews service center billing and financial data to identify discrepancies, unsupported charges, or systemic issues affecting billing accuracy and compliance.
• Issues formal audit findings to departments and oversees the development and completion of corrective actions, including required journal entries and process improvements.
• Coordinates with departments and ORA stakeholders to resolve identified issues and strengthen internal controls.

 4. Compliance Support and Training

• Maintains official audit documentation for each service center, including approved rate sheets, usage records, and sample invoices, in support of federal Single Audits and other external reviews.
• Provides quality control guidance and training to service center and laboratory managers, emphasizing compliant documentation practices that withstand federal audit scrutiny.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on service center billing compliance, supporting ORA leadership with audit preparation, policy interpretation, and risk mitigation.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALITIFCATIONS

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field required.

Experience:

Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience with a strong emphasis on financial auditing, forensic accounting, or quality control, preferably within research, higher education, or healthcare environments. Any appropriate combination of relevant work experience and/or education may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Analytical and Audit Acumen: Demonstrated ability to identify inconsistencies and compliance risks across multiple data sources, such as reconciling laboratory usage records with financial system transactions.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including tools such as Power Query and data validation, with the ability to analyze and audit high-volume transactional data efficiently.
• Communication and Diplomacy: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to present audit findings to faculty and staff in a professional, constructive, and solutions-oriented manner.
• Regulatory Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) related to service center operations and sponsored project billing..

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