Job Description Summary:
Reporting to a Senior Deputy Director or Deputy Director of Program Finance, the Finance Business Partner manages and leads financial and budgeting activities for projects within a division’s portfolio. Coordinates the activities of a variety of financial functions that support the program financial management activities, covering both pre-award and post-award activities for the division. Works with their Finance Service Team to provide the services needed and to support an environment of collaboration, communication, and teamwork.The primary duties are directly related to the financial management of programs or projects. Prepares budget estimates and projections based on actual performance, previous budget figures, estimated revenue, expense reports, and other components for an assigned portfolio of projects at appropriate levels in line with established Service Level Agreements. Reviews and approves expenditures to ensure adherence to budget and other compliance requirements, such as sponsor agreements. Maintains records of expenses and budget balances and reconciles monthly financial reports. Analyzes expenditures and revenues, budget variances, and compiles regular and special statistical reports for internal and external customers.
Under general direction, incumbent applies specific professional-level functional knowledge to solve problems requiring the identification and analysis of moderately complex variables. Takes action to solve problems/issues that routinely arise in areas of assigned responsibility, but may receive guidance or expertise from higher-level staff on more complex problems. Has authority to take action deemed necessary, but is required to inform superiors of non-routine situations. May have full supervisory responsibilities for assigned staff or assist with supervision of staff.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
Operates within a matrix finance organization, supporting a work environment focused on financial compliance, responsive customer service, and teamwork.
Provides financial management and analysis for a portfolio of projects within a division. Reviews, authorizes, and approves expenditures. Oversees timely and accurate preparation of reports – generated for boards and divisions using Workdayt; constructs analyses of budget versus actual analysis monthly, per Service Level Agreements. Reconciles or oversees the reconciliation of monthly financial statements, ensuring costs are recorded timely, within budget, allowable, allocated to the correct award, and incurred within applicable period. Prepares time and cost transfers.
Aware of and compliant with policies, federal regulations, auditing requirements, contractual obligations, time schedules, and budgetary limitations. Regularly reviews work to ensure accuracy and compliance. Responds to requests from internal and external auditors, researching audit compliance requests, compiling, and forwarding required information. Meets with auditors as necessary.
Provides ad hoc reports, projections, and engagement with Program staff, as requested and defined in Service Level Agreements or otherwise. Coordinates with (Senior) Deputy Director of Program Finance to ensure accuracy and quality.
Drafts and liaises with the Office of Contracts and Grants on prospectuses, proposals, and contracts/grants. Prepares budget/cost estimates for proposal submission to Federal agencies and private sponsors for projects and core support. Reviews proposed sponsor agreements to assess potential contractual problems, spending limits, deliverables, and reporting requirements. Ensures that accepted agreements are in compliance with National Academies’ policies and procedures and requirements are met. Participates in discussions with applicable parties concerning scope of work, funding, schedules, modifications, etc
Frequently works collaboratively with the (Senior) Deputy Director and Finance Service Team to solve complex financial management problems. Oversees and works in close coordination on all escalated financial issues from counterparts in program staff. Supports implementation of new or revised OCFO policies and procedures, ensuring they are communicated and are complied with by staff and other applicable parties (e.g., committee members). Also, works collaboratively with other Office of the Chief Financial Officer units, including Travel, Payroll, Budgeting and Cost Analysis, Office of Contracts and Grants, Procurement, and the Controller’s Office and other operating units of the National Academies regarding division financial matters as necessary.
Provides leadership and mentoring for finance employees. May supervise employees, assigning work and initiating a variety of personnel actions. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles.
Oversees the financial management lifecycle of projects, as assigned by the (Senior) Deputy Director, in collaboration with the division’s contract staff member and billing staff member, to ensure accurate award set-up, appropriate expenditures and tracking, and accurate and timely invoicing, fulfilling services defined in Service Level Agreements. Understands full contract information and supports in the dissemination of information and process updates to Program staff, by providing context on processes and procedures.
Reviews and approves sponsor invoicing and financial reports for all assigned projects and facilitates the preparation of documentation and support for invoices ahead of submission. Resolve any issues with monthly invoice and provide billing support as needed.
Prepares project / program budgets and supports Deputy Director of Program Finance. Monitors throughout the lifecycle of the project for accuracy and adjusts estimates as needed. Meets with relevant project staff regularly to review budget and ensures funds are being used appropriately. Makes corrections as necessary.
NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Related duties and special projects as assigned.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Comprehensive knowledge of accounting and financial principles, related federal regulations, and OMB Circulars. Ability to perform financial analyses. Comprehensive knowledge of spreadsheet, forecasting, and other computer-based financial tools, with advanced Excel skills. Ability to be highly detailed and accurate in work produced. Ability to solve intellectual problems that reflect appreciable variety and complexity. Serves as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate with appreciable latitude for independent judgement and action. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies’ departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.
Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting, or related field, or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum Experience: Three years of related professional experience.
Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Deputy Director of assigned division. General direction is provided. May have supervisory responsibilities.
Compensation: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $70,880 - $88,600. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.
Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 40%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.
The National Academies’ Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:
We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact.
We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.
Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.
Job Family:
ACCT