Research Finance Consultant - OHRI

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Job Description Summary:

The Research Finance Consultant (RFC) serves as the primary financial manager for assigned clinical research studies and projects following study activation through final closeout. The position is responsible for post-award financial management, sponsor invoicing, accounts receivable management, financial forecasting, CTMS financial maintenance, revenue integrity, compliance oversight, and study closeout activities.

The Research Finance Consultant acts as a strategic partner to investigators, study teams, Corporate Finance, Sponsored Programs, Revenue Cycle, and operational stakeholders to ensure accurate revenue capture, timely collections, compliance with regulatory requirements, and financial sustainability across the research enterprise.

This position serves as a steward of research financial operations by promoting financial accountability, data integrity, process standardization, operational excellence, and continuous improvement throughout the research study lifecycle. The role is expected to drive timely invoicing, reduction of aged receivables, CTMS data quality, study profitability monitoring, and process optimization initiatives that support the long-term financial health of OhioHealth Research Institute.

Responsibilities And Duties:

• 50% Post-Award Financial Management
• Serves as the primary financial manager for assigned research portfolios following study activation.
• Responsibilities
• Manage the financial lifecycle of assigned clinical trials, grants, and research projects.
• Monitor study revenue, expenses, cash flow, and financial performance.
• Conduct monthly reconciliations of all assigned study accounts.
• Develop and maintain study-specific financial forecasts and budget projections.
• Review study financial activity to ensure compliance with executed agreements and funding sources.
• Monitor study enrollment, activity, and milestone achievement to ensure accurate revenue recognition.
• Provide monthly financial updates and analysis to investigators and study teams.
• Review incoming payments to OHRI, match each payment to the correct clinical trial, and enter and apply the payment in CTMS.
• Prepare and submit invoices for study start-up and coordinate amendment and closeout invoicing activities.
• Monitor financial risks and identify opportunities for revenue preservation and cost containment.
• Serve as the primary financial resource for assigned study teams.
• Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready financial documentation.
• 20% Accounts Receivable and Sponsor Collections
• Serves as the primary owner of accounts receivable management activities for assigned portfolios.
• Responsibilities
• Monitor accounts receivable aging reports and outstanding sponsor balances.
• Perform collection activities including sponsor outreach, payment follow-up, and resolution of outstanding invoices.
• Investigate unpaid invoices, short payments, disputed charges, and delayed reimbursements.
• Escalate high-risk or delinquent receivables according to departmental procedures.
• Maintain detailed documentation of collection activities and sponsor communications.
• Work with Corporate Finance and Accounting to resolve unapplied cash and payment discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain AR tracking tools and collection work queues.
• Partner with study teams to resolve deficiencies affecting invoicing and payment collection.
• Support organizational AR reduction initiatives and financial sustainability efforts.
• Identify root causes contributing to aged receivables and recommend corrective actions.
• Monitor collection performance metrics and follow established collection standards.
• 15% CTMS Governance and Revenue Integrity
• Serves as a key contributor to CTMS financial data quality, financial controls, and revenue optimization.
• Responsibilities
• Maintain accurate and complete financial information within the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS).
• Ensure study calendars, billing plans, invoicing schedules, sponsor milestones, subject reimbursement schedules, and financial records remain current and accurate.
• Reconcile CTMS data against contracts, budgets, Epic activity, and financial systems.
• Monitor financial workflows to ensure invoice-triggering events are captured appropriately.
• Identify and correct CTMS data integrity issues affecting research financial operations.
• Participate in CTMS optimization projects and process improvements.
• Assist in development of data governance standards and quality assurance processes.
• Support financial dashboard development and operational reporting initiatives.
• Analyze financial workflow deficiencies and recommend system improvements.
• 5% Compliance and Audit Readiness
• Responsibilities
• Review research-related financial transactions for compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal audits, external audits, and sponsor monitoring visits.
• Participate in financial concordance reviews and quality assurance activities.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and financial records.
• Assist in development and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Support development and maintenance of departmental policies and procedures.

• 5% Reporting and Financial Analytics
• Responsibilities
• Develop recurring and ad hoc financial reports.
• Monitor study profitability and revenue performance.
• Track invoicing, collections, AR aging, and financial performance indicators.
• Create dashboards and performance metrics supporting leadership decision-making.
• Analyze trends and identify opportunities to improve financial outcomes.
• Utilize CTMS, Epic, and financial systems to support operational reporting.
• 5% Operational Excellence and Process Improvement
• Responsibilities
• Participate in Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Standard Work, job aids, templates, and checklists.
• Support process mapping, root cause analysis, and workflow redesign projects.
• Monitor regulatory changes affecting research financial operations.
• Promote standardization across research financial operations.
• Identify automation and efficiency opportunities.
• Participate in departmental operational excellence initiatives.
• Support implementation of key performance indicators (KPIs) and process monitoring strategies

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree: Accounting (Required)

Additional Job Description:

Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

Thorough understanding of clinical research finance and financial management principles.

Knowledge of sponsor contracts, payment schedules, milestones, amendments, and invoicing requirements.

Understanding of accounts receivable management and collection practices.

Knowledge of research billing compliance and Medicare regulations applicable to clinical research.

Understanding of standard of care versus research-related costs.

Familiarity with CTMS financial workflows, subject tracking, calendar management, and invoicing functionality.

Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, reconciliation, and financial reporting principles.

Understanding of audit readiness and financial compliance requirements.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

Three (3) or more years of progressive experience in healthcare finance, research finance, grants administration, clinical research administration, accounting, or related field.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial reporting skills.

Experience working