Research Compliance and Financial Reporting Manager
University of Colorado Boulder
Accounting & Finance, Compliance / Regulatory
Boulder, CO, USA
USD 97,650-110k / year
Posted on Apr 1, 2026
Job Summary
The Campus Controller's Office at CU Boulder welcomes applications for the Research Compliance and Financial Reporting Manager! The University of Colorado Boulder is a Tier One, nationally competitive research university with a $2.00B annual operating budget. The University is focused on cultivating its instruction and research, increasing its innovative impact at the national and international level through collaboration, transformation, and leadership. The Campus Controller’s Office (CCO) provides critical support to the mission by ensuring fiscal responsibility, accurate financial reporting, and compliance with laws, regulations, policies/procedures, and contract requirements. Research Financial Services (RFS) within the CCO ensures proper management and financial oversight for sponsored projects. RFS prepares financial reports and invoices, manages all revenue cycle activities for the research enterprise, coordinates financial closeouts, and works directly with the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) to coordinate information for post award activities. RFS works closely with campus partners to manage all aspects of the financial post award lifecycle including award setup, invoicing, revenue management, compliance monitoring, and closeout.
The Research Compliance and Financial Reporting Manager reports to the Director of Research Financial Services within CCO. The Manager will be responsible for leading and managing the compliance, revenue management, effort reporting, and cost share functions of the Research Financial Services unit for all sponsored projects in the CU portfolio. As delegated by the Director of Research Financial Services, this position will provide leadership to the University on research compliance and will provide recommendations to establish and improve policies and procedures relating to CCO and the University’s management of the research enterprise.
This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring compliance policies and practices for sponsored projects. They are also responsible for providing compliance training to internal CCO staff as well as campus partners. They are responsible for assisting with the development and implementation of the annual fiscal compliance review plan that will identify areas of fiscal and operational risk. Areas for evaluation include, but are not limited to, adequacy of fiscal policies and procedures, propriety of financial transactions, reasonableness of financial compliance, diagnostics of financial trends, reconciliations, and financial statement variances, as well as adequacy of our fiscal policies and procedures applicable to sponsored research activities.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The Campus Controller's Office maintains and supports the university's fiscal responsibility through accurate financial accounting and reporting and in compliance with laws, regulations, policies/procedures and contract requirements for sponsored projects. We provide oversight, assistance and training in financial stewardship for the campus.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Sponsored Research Fiscal Compliance and Process Excellence (identifying, improving, maintaining processes, including metrics)
- Monitor departmental compliance with Federal, State, and University regulations regarding research.
- Act on behalf of CCO, in coordination with Director of Research Financial Services to develop systems to assist in reporting and compliance.
- Develop and implement metrics for the effort and cost share reporting.
- Lead and manage the cash application, collections, accounts receivable, and reconciliation functions for all revenue activities for sponsored projects in the CU research portfolio.
- Oversee and monitor aging accounts receivables and resolve escalated collections disputes.
- Lead the facilitation of audits and financial compliance for sponsored research.
- Lead the coordination of annual Uniform Guidance audit activities.
- In coordination with the Director of Research Financial Services, develop and implement the annual CU Boulder sponsored research award fiscal compliance review plan.
- Present findings and issue formal recommendations to senior management. Conduct follow-up on formal recommendations and track their implementation in a quarterly progress report.
- Generate the annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and provide analysis and oversight on quarterly variance analysis on research-related activities including AR reconciliation, cash clearing account, and bank reconciliation.
- Develop exception report to detect fiscal compliance issues to identify and mitigate risks based on a continual assessment of the control environment.
- Manage research revenue and receivables for the campus
- Assist with reconciliation of the AR subledger to the general ledger on a monthly basis.
- Monitor the aging report and collections for past due accounts including legal escalations and account write-offs.
- Work to streamline processes to ensure efficient collections.
- Coordinate with the Campus Financial Systems and Reporting team to ensure revenue recognition is accurate and timely.
- Prepare management-level reports including aged accounts receivable, billed/unbilled accounts, checks and wires, lockbox activities, LOC activity, and additional ad hoc as needed.
- Coordinate and assist with the facilitation of audits and financial compliance for research activity and provide resolution recommendations for audits/reviews.
- Assist Director of Campus Financial Systems and Reporting in the coordination of the annual Uniform Guidance audit.
- Oversee sponsored research compliance functions including effort reporting and cost share.
- Assist with the development and implementation of an annual CU Boulder sponsored research award fiscal compliance review plan.
- Demonstrate a firm knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance and the overall regulatory environment, including financial compliance, directed to sponsored programs in order to review and, as needed, update internal controls as well as policies and procedures to make them more efficient and effective.
- Assist with, and/or perform fiscal compliance reviews based on the review plan identified to reduce University risk and help ensure the campus maintains reasonable levels of fiscal compliance with federal, state, and university regulations, rules, law, policies, and guidelines.
- Present findings and issue formal recommendations in written reports to senior management.
- Conduct follow-up assessments of the implementation status of recommendations previously issued internally or by CU System Internal Audit. Track all recommendations and the implementation progress in a quarterly status report.
- Develop and implement exception reports to detect possible fiscal compliance issues to identify and mitigate risks based on a continual assessment of the control environment.
- Assist with identification of compliance trends from Internal Audit findings or fiscal compliance reviews in a generic manner to the Director - Research Financial Services.
- Maintain a current working knowledge of relevant federal, state, and university rules and regulations.
Manage Assigned Staff, Staff Development, and Organizational Leadership (developing, retaining, recognizing our staff)
- Recruit well-qualified enthusiastic, professional staff that will actively embrace and participate in organizational changes.
- Actively promote a culturally diverse and inclusive community within the organization.
- Lead training, supervision, and evaluation of RFS supervisors and staff to drive a positive and thriving work culture.
- Implement and maintain programs to develop and retain professional staff.
- Create and maintain a positive, cooperative work culture, encouraging customer-oriented staff interaction with colleagues, sponsors, and administrators.
- Model and develop leadership and technical skills for the current staff.
- Foster a strong results orientation within the RFS teams by motivating staff and holding them accountable to meeting the needs of constituents, department and organizational goals.
- Provide leadership in staff development and continuing education, ensuring that all CCO post- award staff maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable regulations and procedures necessary for the conduct of their positions.
- Ensure that work products are timely and accurate. Assign tasks, monitor progress and workflow; review work product, schedule work and establish work standards; review and sign leave requests and work hours.
- Perform coaching sessions and evaluations for direct reports, and other necessary personnel tasks. Selection of new personnel, orientation and training of new staff, review and revision of position descriptions when necessary.
- Develop and maintain a productive and cooperative working relationship with campus personnel, Internal Audit, and external colleagues.
University Engagement (engaging with and training campus staff)
- Initiate and maintain meaningful communication and collaboration with campus departmental personnel and colleagues which includes, but not limited to:
- Quarterly meetings
- Department business meeting attendance
- Site visits
- Poster presentations
- Develop and provide training to campus on a variety of post award financial administration topics.
- Represent the Research Financial Services unit in a variety of campus spaces to include:
- Town hall-type meetings as necessary to disseminate information to the campus community.
- Campus events
- Cross-functional committees
- Working groups
- Develop and maintain relationships with sponsoring agency officials and with campus divisions.
- Assist the Director - Research Financial Services in the liaison role between the Boulder campus and CU System Internal Audit. Assist in managing the campus response on newly issued reports and formal follow-up to previously issued audit reports as applicable.
- Coordinate with colleagues in other campus departments, such as the offices of Contracts and Grants, Research Integrity, and Budget to address or resolve systemic reconciliations issues that have been identified and assist with further internal review of the sources causing the reconciling item(s).
- Develop, update, and facilitate the implementation of policies and procedures regarding sponsored research fiscal compliance.
Technology and Infrastructure Enhancement (tech requirements, system upgrades and brand identity)
- Access, review, and analyze financial data records and information in the University’s information systems to detect possible errors and irregularities in the financial management of sponsored research awards.
- Maintain an in-depth working knowledge of the university’s information systems and working environment.
- Provide recommendations to manage technology for the department where applicable.
- Lead, facilitate, or participate in technology applications development and implementation.
Other duties as assigned.
What We Can Offer
The salary range for this position is $97,650 - $110,000 annually.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be challenged. Be visionary. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business, public administration, accounting, or closely related field is required.
- At least three years of progressively responsible experience in financial auditing, financial quality review, compliance, or risk management in the private and or public agency sectors including lead or supervisory work experience.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
What You Will Need
- Knowledge of relevant GASB, GAAP, Uniform Guidance, federal regulations, administrative requirements, cost principles and audit requirements for federal awards.
- Ability to lead and guide decision-makers towards sound and ethical fiscal and business practices.
- Ability to effectively evaluate the sponsored research accounting environment to recommend to the Director - Research Financial Services areas for review to reduce risk to the University.
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
- Well-honed facilitation skills that allow for the constructive approach to sensitive situations.
- Ability to understand the internal control structure of the University and design programs to test fiscal compliance.
- Experience in ethical decision-making and guiding others in ethical decision-making.
- Possess strong interpersonal and human relations’ skills.
- Ability to plan, organize, and meet deadlines, work under pressure, and organize multiple projects or tasks.
- Possess comprehensive personal computing skills and ability to access complex relational databases.
- Possess analytical abilities and skills to address complex problems or issues and to propose logical solutions.
What We Would Like You to Have
- A master’s degree or CPA, CFE, or CRA/CFRA certification is preferred.
- At least three to five years of progressively responsible experience in financial auditing, financial quality review, compliance, or risk management in the private and or public agency sectors.
- Demonstrated experience with policy development, system implementations, and business process improvements.
- Supervisory experience * Prior experience at a Higher Education Institution or State of Colorado Agency.
- Knowledge of higher education funding and accounting.
- Experience with federal grants, indirect costs, and sponsored project accounting.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by April 14, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.