Senior Research Finance Officer

The Senior Research Finance Officer provides high-quality post-award financial management and reporting support across a portfolio of research projects, with a particular focus on year-end activities, reconciliations, funder claims, invoicing, and financial compliance.

The role is responsible for ensuring that research project finances are accurately maintained throughout the year, with robust controls at month-end and year-end to support statutory reporting, audits, and funder requirements. The post holder plays a key role in cash-flow management through the timely submission of claims and invoices and supports departments and investigators by offering clear financial advice and problem resolution.

Role information:

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• Job title: Senior Research Finance Officer
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• Day Rate: £200-£250 per day
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• Location: Tooting
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Key Responsibilities

Research Portfolio Management

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• Take ownership of a defined portfolio of research grants and contracts, ensuring accurate financial management from account set-up through to close-down.
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• Act as the main finance contact for Principal Investigators and departmental staff for all post-award financial matters.
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• Monitor project spend against budget, identifying risks, variances, and corrective actions early.
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Year-End and Period-End Financial Support

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• Lead and support year-end and month-end processes for research accounts, ensuring deadlines are met and balances are accurate.
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• Prepare and review accruals, prepayments, and deferred income relating to research projects.
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• Support internal and external audits by providing reconciliations, evidence, and explanations as required.
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Reconciliations and Financial Control

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• Prepare, maintain, and review detailed reconciliations for all research accounts within the portfolio.
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• Investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution in line with College policies.
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• Ensure data integrity across finance and research systems.
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Funder Claims, Invoicing, and Income Management

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• Prepare and submit funder financial claims, invoices, and expenditure statements in line with funder terms and conditions.
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• Coordinate partner and subcontractor expenditure, ensuring claims are accurate and supported.
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• Work closely with Credit Control to support timely income collection and cash-flow management.
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Journals and Adjustments

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• Calculate and post journals, including overhead recovery, indirect and estates costs, cost transfers, and corrections.
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• Ensure journals are fully supported, compliant, and approved in line with financial regulations.
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Reporting and Data Analysis

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• Produce regular financial reports for investigators, departments, and management.
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• Download, analyse, and manipulate financial data using finance systems and Excel to support decision-making.
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Compliance and Continuous Improvement

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• Ensure compliance with funder rules, College financial regulations, and audit requirements.
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• Identify opportunities to improve processes, controls, and consistency across research finance activities.
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• Contribute to a collaborative “one-team” approach across research and finance functions.
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