Grant Accountant
CFS
New Haven, CT
Title: Portfolio & Grant Accountant
Location: Hybrid, New Haven County
Compensation: Up to $100,000 + strong benefit package
Why This Role Stands Out
Our Client is a highly respected, research-driven institution with a growing and sophisticated sponsored research portfolio. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with faculty and research leadership, manage complex funding structures, and contribute meaningfully to a mission-driven organization that values collaboration, stability, and professional growth.
This is an excellent opportunity for a grant or research finance professional who enjoys complex portfolios, strategic financial analysis, and trusted-advisor responsibility—all within a well-resourced, collegial environment.
Position Overview
Reporting to senior finance leadership, this role provides financial oversight and strategic support for a complex portfolio of sponsored and non-sponsored funds. The position partners closely with faculty and research administration teams and supports both pre- and post-award activities, with potential staff supervision depending on scope.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Lead financial analysis, forecasting, and reporting for large, complex portfolios
- Prepare and present budget-to-actuals, forecasts, and strategic financial recommendations
- Manage multiple budgets with varying funding levels, start/end dates, overhead rates, and cost-allowability rules
- Identify portfolio-level risks and opportunities and proactively advise stakeholders
- Support monthly financial review processes and corrective actions as needed
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure adherence to institutional policies and sponsor regulations across all financial activity
- Review and approve expenditures for allowability, allocability, and documentation
- Maintain fiscal integrity of assigned portfolios and advise faculty on policy interpretation
- Monitor funding changes, renewals, and closeouts
Sponsored Award & Proposal Oversight
- Provide strategic oversight across multiple awards and funding sources
- Review and interpret sponsor applications, award notices, and terms and conditions
- Manage submissions, modifications, extensions, and required post-award reports
- Support pre-award planning in partnership with research administration teams
Collaborative Financial Partner
- Partner with internal business offices, central administration, external institutions, and sponsors
- Advise on effort allocation strategies, spending patterns, and alternative funding approaches
- Cultivate strong working relationships with faculty, principal investigators, and leadership
Preferred Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field
- 4+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong financial analysis, budgeting, and data-mining skills
- Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and sponsor guidelines
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Experience with grants and contracts administration or sponsored research
- Familiarity with enterprise financial systems (e.g., Workday Financials or similar)
- Experience supporting externally sponsored awards (e.g., federal or foundation funding)
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MaxSalary: USD100000
MinSalary: USD85000
About the Company
CFS
Founded by CPA firms in 1994, Creative Financial Staffing has spent over 30 years helping job seekers and employers succeed. In fall 2025, we rebranded as CFS—a name that reflects our full range of expertise while staying true to the trusted company you know.
CFS is the industry’s leading employee-owned staffing firm, connecting top talent in accounting, finance, technology, and human resources. We provide skilled professionals on both a temporary and permanent basis across diverse industries, leveraging our extensive network to match the right people with the right opportunities.
Our dedication to excellence extends to our award-winning culture, recognized repeatedly for growth, recruiting, workplace environment, and employee support. Honors include Forbes’ “America’s Best Recruiting and Temporary Staffing Firms,” Staffing Industry Analysts’ top U.S. staffing rankings, FlexJobs’ Top 100 Companies for Remote and Hybrid Work, Top Workplaces USA, Newsweek’s Best Practices awards, and more.