Financial Analyst, IS-0501-11

CLOSING DATE: June 2, 2026 (This job will close when the first 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date).

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk

Who May Apply
Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) is the primary point of administrative and financial
interface between the Smithsonian and: (1) public and private organizations that provide funds for research, exhibitions and other sponsored activities and, (2) Federal government officers charged with writing/enforcing regulations related to research funded through grants and contracts.

The incumbent ensures financial compliance requirements of grants and contracts. The position is in the Post-Award section of the Office of Sponsored Projects. As part of the Office of Sponsored
Projects, the Post-Award section has decision making authority, policy analysis and interpretation, providing advice and problem resolution services to Principal Investigators (PIs), unit financial managers, and management staff regarding post-award financial management of grants and contracts, and advises them of sponsor-specific expenditure restrictions. The position is responsible for managing a large portfolio of grants and contracts awarded to the Smithsonian units.

The incumbent enforces financial compliance requirements, resolves most accounting and financial issues, manages cash flows of awards, analyzes financial transactions, reconciles grants financial data and prepares accurate and timely financial reports. The incumbent has independent problem- solving responsibilities that require on going interaction with all levels of Smithsonian units. The incumbent reports to the Post-Award Manager (Supervisor) and provides oral/written status reports that are used by management to evaluate solutions. The incumbent must refer issues that fall beyond his/her scope of responsibility to the Supervisor.

Financial Analysis and Management

Incumbent analyzes monthly grants/contracts financial data proactively to find any potential
inconsistencies or errors, clearly communicate findings and follows through on corrective actions.
Prepares and provides accurate, timely financial reports on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis, as defined by each grant and contract award's terms. Prepares and provides accurate and timely payment requests as defined by each grant and contract award's terms for cost reimbursements and advances. Maintains complete documentation for all reporting and reconciles reports, including billings, to the General Ledger.

The incumbent evaluates grants/contracts terms to determine revenue recognition and classifies net assets with and without sponsor restrictions. Reconciles and reviews deferred revenue accounts and prepare entries to true up revenue as needed, based on the award deliverables. Monitors cash position with various award types and proactively takes necessary actions or proposes solutions to minimize losses and improve cash positions. Prepares journal entries to correct errors and adjustments accounts.

The incumbent provides guidance and answers to grant/contract related questions and resolves
complex financial issues regarding grant/contract expenditures, allowability, allocability and
reporting. The incumbent assists Principal Investigators and unit financial managers in employing
appropriate management and accounting practices to solve specific financial transaction problems.

The incumbent provides analytical assistance and training on multi-faceted issues to assist PIs and unit financial managers to properly manage grant/contract finances. The incumbent interprets, enforces and applies a wide variety of financial compliance requirements. The incumbent initiates and cultivates relationships with senior-level business and finance officials of sponsor organizations.

Budget Management

Incumbent establishes grant/contract project accounts and budgets into the financial system and
monitors expenses by resolving financial administrative problems in accordance with funding
sponsor requirements, Smithsonian policy and procedures, and sound management practices.
Monitors encumbrance balances on a regular basis, ensures the procurement obligations for the
award are accurate and that purchase orders are closed out on a timely basis. Ensures that the
project operates in accordance with its budget and, if required, assists the PI and fund manager to prepare budget amendments. Ensures that all requests for no-cost extensions are processed on time and documented properly. Ensures that all committed cost sharing reports are prepared, certified by the PI and documented properly. Reviews and/or approves requests to expend budget funds within budgetary limits and assesses advance funds requests. Verifies the legitimacy and appropriateness of expenditures, while assisting the Principal Investigator and financial manager in the management of the grant/contract funds. Working in collaboration with Pre-Award colleagues, the incumbent secures sponsor-mandated approvals for foreign travel and equipment purchase and documents actions; keeps accurate working files and updates the databases that generate management reports.

Apply Best Business Practices

The incumbent applies modern approaches to maximize the use of the Smithsonian's financial
resources. The incumbent establishes and implements monitoring systems to ensure appropriate
costs are recorded and summarized; reviews all invoices by analyzing transactions to ensure that
sponsor payments are received.

The incumbent analyzes and interprets award terms and conditions to negotiate the most favorable financial and cash flow terms/conditions, as well as identifies opportunities to reduce financial risk in order to improve the Smithsonian's financial position. The incumbent is responsible to apply the best methods for tracking due dates for invoices, financial reports and other mandated reports, as defined by each grant/contract terms. The incumbent is responsible to apply the best methods for ensuring grant and contract closeouts are performed timely, accurately and completely.

Administrative, Reporting and Professional Development

The incumbent assists in analyzing and researching the impact of externally-driven and internal
changes on research-related policies, procedures and systems, and prepares written reviews,
interpretations and recommendations. Provides formal and informal training about multifaceted
issues related to financial grant administration and policy. Participates in OSP grant management workshops and seminar presentations. The incumbent identifies administrative practices, policies or procedures which should be developed or revised to enhance the quality of financial management services. Works closely with all units in managing and implementation of relevant fiscal aspects of grants and contracts. Ensures all grants and contracts documentation, information, and correspondence are kept and available for review and audit. The incumbent works with OSP colleagues to maximize the quality of services provided to its clients. Participates in OSP meetings and attends professional training opportunities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: Example: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 3-5 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience required for this position is as follows:

· Knowledge of accounting principles, policies, methods, procedures, and techniques
sufficient enough to maintain accounting data in a computerized accounting system.

· Knowledge of Federal grant regulations, agency-specific grant and contract guidelines, and
Federal Acquisition Regulations sufficient to analyze and evaluate continual changes in
program plans and funding and their effect on financial and budget program milestones.

Knowledge of auditing principles, practices and methods for effective audit and problem
resolution.

· Skill to analyze, reconcile, collaborate, problem solve, and recommend solutions for routine
accounting work and complex financial and accounting problems for a diverse portfolio of
sponsors, including calculation and applications of indirect cost rates in a computerized
accounting environment.

· Skill in applying effective written communication skills for review, interpretation and
recommendations on accounting, auditing, research and grant/contract financial policies and
guidelines.

Skill at communicating orally in order to enforce, explain, recommend and implement
complex procedures, policies, guidelines and compliance requirements.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OHRTRUSTBRANCH@SI.EDU Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo