Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE
The principal objective of the Compliance Analyst is to collaborate with the Director of Financial Research Compliance to develop, manage, and oversee procedures and processes for the university wide financial compliance function within the Office of Research & Technology Management. This includes the university's assurance of compliance with 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and relevant program-specific compliance requirements. The compliance analyst will support the effort reporting program and effective audit functions (i.e. sub-recipient monitoring, subcontractor compliance, Uniform Guidance compliance, FFATA reporting, key personnel restrictions.) The compliance analyst will assist in monitoring sponsored projects compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The analyst will identify and investigate problems or issues regarding compliance with federal regulations and university policy and provide guidance to research administrators at the central, school and department level to address them. The analyst will identify, analyze and reconcile discrepancies related to compliance reports, where appropriate; review recommended adjustments with the appropriate management center and the Director, Financial Research Compliance and ensure that such entries are entered accurately and in a timely manner. In addition, the position will identify and assist with the development and education and training programs for faculty, staff and students regarding federal regulations and university policy and procedures as they relate to compliance. This position, in conjunction with the Director, is responsible for helping to ensure that the university's compliance policies and procedures are implemented in an efficient and effective fashion, such that the university is in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1.    Stay current on regulatory and legal issues relating to post-award sponsored projects management. Identify and interpret emerging trends that may affect the risks associated with sponsored projects at the university and advise leadership on needed actions. Advise and guide department administrators, investigators, and others in the campus community regarding new compliance requirements that are critical to the management of the university's portfolio of sponsored projects. Advise and assist in developing, updating and disseminating the university's sponsored projects policies. This includes interpreting federal regulations and university policies and procedures. (25%)
2.    Lead the Effort Reporting and Key Personnel restriction functions for compliance.  Maintain systems for the compliance of tracking and reporting faculty, staff, and student effort on sponsored projects. This will include the analysis of semi-annual or semester reports, follow up of questionable issues, and the reconciling of all effort variances. Develop as system for monitoring Key Personnel restrictions. Semi-annually audit awards with Key Personnel Restrictions to ensure compliance. Ensure the integrity of payroll information used to monitor effort prior to each reporting cycle. This will involve working with staff across many administrative areas (25%)
3.    Manage the FFATA reporting program to ensure compliance with FFATA reporting requirements relating to all subcontracts issued by CWRU relating to sponsored research. Develop and implement processes and procedures to ensure compliance with FFATA reporting requirements.  (20%)
4.    Support the audit activities to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR § 200), external non-federal sponsor regulations, and university policy.  Perform audit functions based upon the requests of the auditors accurately and in alignment with requested deadlines. Perform internal audits and monitor compliance with Single Audit and Uniform Guidance cost principles and other unique sponsor specific requirements for sponsored projects. This includes reviewing the allowability and allocability of salary and non-salary expenditures charged to sponsored projects and investigating questionable items and resolving any non-compliance issues which may present financial risk to the university. Utilize OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR § 200), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, external non-federal sponsor regulations and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and understanding of university policy and procedures to effectively monitor expenditures, project activities. Direct the monitoring of project end dates to ensure project closeouts are completed timely for sponsored projects which do not require financial reporting back to the sponsor. (15%)
5.    Support the university wide subrecipient risk-based monitoring program with input and guidance in compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) requirements. Update and manage the database for all sub-recipients based upon the interpret audit results. Distribute and review subrecipient monitoring forms sent to subrecipients not subject to the single audit.  Monitor receipt due date of Single audit reports and if reports are not received request the audit reports from subrecipients. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 
1.    Serve as a resource to the university community for other sponsored project accounting functions such as financial reporting and invoicing. (2.5%)
2.    Perform other duties as assigned. (2.5%)

CONTACTS
Department: Frequent contacts with Post Award Services and Financial Compliance and other staff within the Office of Research and Technology Management. University: Frequent contacts with Payroll, ITS, faculty, departmental administrators, management center administrators and compliance staff to assist with the development and implementation of policies and procedures and related to compliance. Occasional contact with dean's level administrators.
External: Contact with peers at other universities, associations, and governmental agency staff.
Students: Minimal contact.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
No direct supervisory responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 1 year of experience in finance, compliance, or audit within an organization, with a preference for experience in a research or academic setting.
Education: Bachelor's degree in a business-related field.  

REQUIRED SKILLS
1.    Comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience with procedures and policies related to compliance, accounting, and administration within a research or academic environment, or demonstration of ability to support the administration of compliance policies and procedures in an business setting.
2.    Strong understanding of effort reporting, compliance and research administration processes. 
3.    Experience and expertise with standard software tools such as MS Office and PDF packages, as well as enterprise accounting / compliance software. 
4.    Willingness to learn and work with efficiency-enhancing tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
5.    Professional interpersonal skills are essential due to frequent interactions with faculty, staff, and senior administration. 
6.    Considerable personal integrity and the ability to work with and manage confidential information.
7.    Strong written and oral skills. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face. 
8.    Strong project management skills to meet compliance requirements in a timely fashion.
9.    Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
10.    Ability to meet consistent in-office attendance.

WORKING CONDITIONS
General office working environment. Extended hours may be required.