Research Cost Analyst 3

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The Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship, Office of Research Administration (ORA) has a job opportunity for an ORA Service Center Research Cost Analyst 3 to work at the University of Miami.

CORE JOB SUMMARY

The ORA Service Center Research Cost Analyst 3 plays a critical role in safeguarding the fiscal integrity of the University’s research enterprise. The ORA Service Center Research Cost Compliance Analyst 3 administers a comprehensive billing audit and quality control program for institutional service centers, ensuring that charges to sponsored and non-sponsored projects are accurate, timely, and fully compliant with federal regulations and University policy.

Through full-cycle audits spanning rate development, usage documentation, system interfaces, and final invoice posting, the ORA Analyst 3 mitigates institutional risk, prevents federal disallowances, and ensures equitable and consistent charging practices for all researchers.

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..

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida.

With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

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