Financial Analyst
Content + Source + Freshness • 14 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
Solid mid-level role in a high-education environment with a competitive salary range.
- Salary range: $65,000 - $75,000/year
- Key role in managing financials for academic research.
- Opportunity to develop in the financial management field.
- Requires ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Pros
- Opportunities to work closely with academic professionals and manage diverse financial processes.
- Competitive salary for entry to mid-level financial analysts.
- Exposure to grant management and financial analysis in an academic setting.
Cons
- High-pressure environment with deadlines.
- Potentially limited upward mobility depending on departmental structure.
- Requirement for specific software knowledge could limit candidate pool.
Who it's for
Entry to Mid-level • On-site
Good fit
- Entry to mid-level financial analysts
- Candidates with an interest in academia and humanities
- Individuals focused on career growth in a stable environment
Not recommended for
- Those who prefer fully remote positions
- Candidates without experience in finance or analytics
- Individuals who do not thrive under pressure and tight deadlines
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
- Job Type: Officer of Administration
- Bargaining Unit:
- Regular/Temporary: Regular
- End Date if Temporary:
- Hours Per Week: 35
- Standard Work Schedule: M-F 9am - 5pm
- Building:
- Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000
Position Summary
Reporting to the Sr. Manager Director of Finance and Research Administration for the Department of Neurology, the Financial Analyst will support the financial management and research administration services provided to faculty in the department. The position will work with both faculty and administrative staff to ensure the department operates in a fiscally sustainable manner.
Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assists PIs in the development, review, submission and renewal of various types of sponsored project proposals from a variety of sponsors including NIH, private foundations and industry
- Ensures all programmatic reporting requirements (quarterly and/or annual progress and financial reports) are completed according to sponsor and institutional requirements and timeframes
- For awarded proposals, liaises with Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) office to ensure timely setup of award, pre-award compliance requirements are met and all sub-awards are established
- Assigns and reconciles expense allocations (payroll and non-payroll) to funding sources with adherence to pertinent regulations, policies and procedures that govern the nature of funds
- Performs budget vs. actual reconciliation of sponsored and non-sponsored funding sources and salary allocations of faculty and staff on both project year and fiscal year basis
- Maintains funding overviews/forecasts for faculty in assigned divisions and meets with faculty to review on a regular basis
- Stays abreast of regulations, policies, and guidelines related to conduct of research; Analyzes specific issues, budget requests, and policy changes to provide feedback and recommendations to principal investigators
- Supports annual budgeting process and quarterly re-forecasts through data entry into budget tool
- Completes routine internal reporting requirements required for sponsored projects (i.e. effort reporting, PI attestations, etc) and participates in regulatory audits and inspections
- Other projects as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1-2 years of experience in non-profit environment with direct experience in grants and financial management.
Other Requirements
-
This is a high pressure position as there are many internal and external deadlines. Requires a bright, competent and organized individual that is self-motivated, reliable, conscientious, and able to solve analytical problems, as well as plan independently. Must be able to work with all levels of staff. Position requires establishing and maintaining relationships within and across departments, as well as servicing the grant and accounting needs of Principal Investigators.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficient or Advanced Proficiency creating and using MS Excel spreadsheets. Highly skilled in MS Word. Ability to meet deadlines and maintain required confidentiality. Knowledge of government and foundational granting requirements, grants administration and PeopleSoft financials required.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
