Senior Financial Research Administrator

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

Business Title:

Employee Type:

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As the Senior Financial Research Administrator, you will serve as a senior specialist, first line supervisor over fiscal related professional staff, responsible for post‑award grant and contract accounting and compliance within financial research administration. You ensure every expense is allowable, allocable, reasonable, and consistent under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

You manage a complex portfolio of awards, which may include sponsors with non‑standard terms, intricate budgets with significant cost share, cross‑functional research collaborations, Centers and Institutes, heavily audited programs, or awards grouped by department rather than sponsor. In this position, you apply advanced knowledge and operate with a high level of independence. You’re expected to devise methods, processes, and solutions for complex issues, especially those with broad or cross‑functional impact, while serving as a trusted expert in research financial compliance.

You support Sponsored Program Services (SPS) across the entire Washington State University system, including Pullman, Everett, Spokane, Tri‑Cities, and Vancouver. This role offers remote‑work eligibility, and you maintain a schedule that primarily overlaps with standard SPS business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement.
Monthly Salary: $5,398 to $7,254 | Range 57 (Steps A-M) | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.
Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.
Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, which must include 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting and four (4) years of relevant professional experience, at least one year must include lead or supervisory experience; OR equivalent education/experience. A Master’s degree in a financial related field, certification as a Public Accountant, Internal Auditor, Certified Governmental Financial Manager or Management Accountant can be substituted for professional experience.

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency level with Microsoft software programs such as Outlook, Excel, Access, Word and PowerPoint to create spreadsheets, graphs, charts and reports, prepare presentations, conduct data analysis and manage information efficiently. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the enterprise resource planning system Workday.

• Knowledge of or experience with OFM accounting regulations (i.e. Uniform Guidance).

• Knowledge of or experience with the WSU UPPM.

• Possess advanced computer skills, specifically working in a Microsoft Windows environment with an emphasis on Excel.

• Possess the ability to communicate technical accounting language and terms in a user-friendly format.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

• Experience with research grants and contracts.

• Experience auditing and reconciling complex financial data.

• Experience leading the work of others.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship.
About Sponsored Program Services - sps.wsu.edu
Area/College: Financial and Business Services
Department Name: Sponsored Program Services
Location: Remote Position
Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter
External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.
Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Position Term:

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/