Sr Research Audit Consultant

Dept Number/Name: 0-7901-000 / VP Research

College Division: Research-VP

Salary Plan: Administrative

Job Code/Title: 9134 / Sr Research Audit Consultant

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Position Number: 00000529

Work Flexibility: Fully Remote -except for attending 4 in-service meetings (held on a quarterly basis)

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:
USF Research & Innovation (USFRI) deeply integrates risk management into its operational framework. Within this context, the Institutional Research Effectiveness & Assessment (IREA) unit assumes a distinct role, focusing on the identification, evaluation, and proactive management of risks inherent to research activities. As the primary compliance team for institutional research effectiveness, IREA undertakes comprehensive risk assessments, developing strategies to align risk management with the university's tolerance level and overseeing risk management processes for sponsored awards. In addition to these responsibilities, IREA negotiates and executes subawards, supervises subrecipient oversight (in collaboration with Principal Investigators and administrative units), and acts as the primary contact for external auditors. IREA also provides critical advisory support to Sponsored Research and USFRI senior leadership.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Institutional Research Effectiveness & Assessment (IREA) is responsible for ensuring the proper establishment of all sponsored project awards in FAST, ensuring data consistency within all associated modules, which include Projects, Contracts, and Grants, monitoring activities throughout the life of the award, preparing and submitting invoices and financial reports to various sponsors, assessing risk, reviewing and approving expenditure transfers, tracking and analyzing effort reporting, monitoring subrecipients, and completing the financial closeout of awards.
Under the direction of the Director, the Senior Research Audit Consultant performs complex operational and financial audits, internal control reviews, risk assessments, and ad hoc projects for USF's Sponsored Research department in accordance with professional standards. The incumbent will ensure that appropriate controls exist, processes are efficient and accurate, and operating procedures are in compliance with laws, regulations, university policies, procedures, and best practices. Additionally, the incumbent identifies value-added internal control and business process improvement opportunities designed to strengthen financial and general controls as well as to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. The Senior Auditor prepares reports of findings and makes recommendations to resolve conditions noted.
The incumbent will serve as a consultant, reviewer, and trainer to USFRI, including one or more of Sponsored Research's Pre- and Post-Award teams, as well as administrative unit research administrators, and will lead and/or direct the work of others as needed. The position also prepares data analyses reports for management.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will be tasked with assisting with or performing audits; assessing the efficacy of internal controls; enhancing existing internal control frameworks; and, reviewing the integrity of data reported to external constituents (e.g., the National Science Foundation's HERD Survey).
Evaluate internal controls using a risk-based approach and respond to emerging financial and compliance issues. Assist the Director of IREA and/or the Assistant Director for Subawards and Subrecipient Monitoring with investigations or lend assistance in support of external and internal audit inquiries as necessary (e.g., cull accounting records or other substantive documentation, assure the integrity of data provided to internal and external entities, etc.).
Prepare reports of findings and make recommendations to resolve conditions noted. Perform periodic follow-up of previously reported audit findings to assess resolution of recommendations and determine if adequate corrective action has been initiated by subrecipients and administrative units within the university.
Identify value-added internal control and business process improvement opportunities designed to strengthen controls and improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Promote positive working relationships; participate in university committees/working groups in the Director's stead as requested; respond to management inquiries on behalf of the Director or Assistant Director; and, assist with the implementation of audit recommendations.
Provide training and oversight to Sponsored Research's Grant Financial and Sponsored Research Administrators as well as administrative Unit Research Administrators on policies and procedures associated with grant management and provide technical training to the research community. Mentor colleagues to enhance their skills as requested by the Associate Director or designee.
Review financial processes performed by internal and external constituents to ensure compliance with contractual requirements and apply accounting techniques to a variety of analyses and suggest appropriate corrective actions to remedy any issues identified.
Develop, implement, and manage business and fiscal processes to ensure compliance and good stewardship of university resources. Interpret and apply administrative policy related to finance, accounting, budgeting, auditing, procurement, legal, and regulatory compliance. Monitor cash, budget, and expenses. Demonstrate an appropriate level of oversight necessary to effectively ensure that transactions are in agreement with the awarded contractual terms and USF's policies and objectives.
Remain abreast of changes in university, state, federal, and sponsoring agency policies and regulations and related authoritative guidance (e.g., Federal, state, or university). Review contract terms and conditions; build appropriate and complete record-keeping controls to maintain the university's official record for all sponsored research projects; provide assistance with modifications; and, advise Principal Investigators and other research support personnel of any financial and/or compliance matters with significant economic impact and potential liability.
Research, analyze, and resolve problems on new, existing, or terminated subawards. Provide Post-Award financial administration for subawards in accordance with university policy and agency requirements; monitor financial and budgetary transactions to ensure compliance with Federal Government guidelines - Office of Management & Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance, university policies, procedures, terms and conditions prescribed by sponsoring agencies, and generally accepted accounting principles; and, serve as a technical resource for compliance in the contracts and grants life cycle by possessing working knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance; knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations and principles of cost accounting standards.
Serve as a liaison between the division of Sponsored Research, principal investigators, departments, and agency administrators as well as other internal and external stakeholders to respond to standard questions. May represent the Assistant Director for Subawards and Subrecipient Monitoring in his/her absence.
Performs other duties as assigned.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM:

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field from an accredited university and four (4) years of relevant work experience.
FLSB 1310 equivalency: 4 years of directly related work experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree.

PREFERRED:

Master's degree in related field from an accredited university. A minimum of four years of internal or external auditing experience and CIA or CPA certification or equivalent preferred. Five years of relevant work experience in research administration auditing sponsored projects and advanced knowledge of accounting principles related to sponsored award financial management may be considered in lieu of internal/external auditing experience. Experience in a public research university or comparable institution preferred. Experience training and mentoring. Ability to utilize University Enterprise Systems (e.g., FAST, GEMS, and Banner).

SPECIAL SKILLS/TRAINING:
Advanced understanding of business processes, internal controls, and risk management in a university setting.  Knowledge, experience, and ability to identify key control points within a process and develop a risk-based audit plan to test and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls in accordance with the audit objectives.  Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks and projects, prioritization and decision-making skills.  Excellent written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Specialized knowledge of compliance administering subawards and wide-ranging experience performing subaward risk assessments, monitoring subawards, facilitating adherence with applicable policies and regulations, performing financial and programmatic audits, and reducing the university's exposure to unnecessary hazards. Candidate must have proven experience auditing sponsored projects and making recommendations to enhance the control environment. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA), certified internal auditor (CIA), certified fraud examiner (CFE) or other professional certifications are a plus.

Information for Applicants 

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

Job Opening Number: 36413

Posting Date: 02/29/2024

Posting End Date: 04/20/2024

How To Apply 

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Apply online by completing the required information and attaching your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above.  YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME, PLUS ANY OTHER REQUESTED MATERIAL, MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Only online applications are accepted for this position.

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About USF 

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

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