Research Finance Consultant - OHRI

Research Finance Consultant

We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could use an expert guide. We work hard, care deeply and reach further to help people uncover their own power to be healthy. We inspire hope. We learn, grow, and achieve more in our careers and in our communities.

The Research Finance Consultant 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 include:

• 50% Post-Award Financial Management: Serves as the primary financial manager for assigned research portfolios following study activation. Responsibilities include managing the financial lifecycle of assigned clinical trials, grants, and research projects; monitoring study revenue, expenses, cash flow, and financial performance; conducting monthly reconciliations of all assigned study accounts; developing and maintaining study-specific financial forecasts and budget projections; reviewing study financial activity to ensure compliance with executed agreements and funding sources; monitoring study enrollment, activity, and milestone achievement to ensure accurate revenue recognition; providing monthly financial updates and analysis to investigators and study teams; reviewing incoming payments to OHRI, matching each payment to the correct clinical trial, and entering and applying the payment in CTMS; preparing and submitting invoices for study start-up and coordinating amendment and closeout invoicing activities; monitoring financial risks and identifying opportunities for revenue preservation and cost containment; serving as the primary financial resource for assigned study teams; maintaining 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 include monitoring accounts receivable aging reports and outstanding sponsor balances; performing collection activities including sponsor outreach, payment follow-up, and resolution of outstanding invoices; investigating unpaid invoices, short payments, disputed charges, and delayed reimbursements; escalating high-risk or delinquent receivables according to departmental procedures; maintaining detailed documentation of collection activities and sponsor communications; working with Corporate Finance and Accounting to resolve unapplied cash and payment discrepancies; developing and maintaining AR tracking tools and collection work queues; partnering with study teams to resolve deficiencies affecting invoicing and payment collection; supporting organizational AR reduction initiatives and financial sustainability efforts; identifying root causes contributing to aged receivables and recommending corrective actions; monitoring collection performance metrics and following 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 include maintaining accurate and complete financial information within the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS); ensuring study calendars, billing plans, invoicing schedules, sponsor milestones, subject reimbursement schedules, and financial records remain current and accurate; reconciling CTMS data against contracts, budgets, Epic activity, and financial systems; monitoring financial workflows to ensure invoice-triggering events are captured appropriately; identifying and correcting CTMS data integrity issues affecting research financial operations; participating in CTMS optimization projects and process improvements; assisting in development of data governance standards and quality assurance processes; supporting financial dashboard development and operational reporting initiatives; analyzing financial workflow deficiencies and recommending system improvements.
• 5% Compliance and Audit Readiness: Responsibilities include reviewing research-related financial transactions for compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements; supporting internal audits, external audits, and sponsor monitoring visits; participating in financial concordance reviews and quality assurance activities; maintaining audit-ready documentation and financial records; assisting in development and implementation of corrective action plans; supporting development and maintenance of departmental policies and procedures.
• 5% Reporting and Financial Analytics: Responsibilities include developing recurring and ad hoc financial reports; monitoring study profitability and revenue performance; tracking invoicing, collections, AR aging, and financial performance indicators; creating dashboards and performance metrics supporting leadership decision-making; analyzing trends and identifying opportunities to improve financial outcomes; utilizing CTMS, Epic, and financial systems to support operational reporting.
• 5% Operational Excellence and Process Improvement: Responsibilities include participating in Lean and continuous improvement initiatives; developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Standard Work, job aids, templates, and checklists; supporting process mapping, root cause analysis, and workflow redesign projects; monitoring regulatory changes affecting research financial operations; promoting standardization across research financial operations; identifying automation and efficiency opportunities; participating in departmental operational excellence initiatives; supporting 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 in multiple financial and operational systems.
• Clinical research finance experience.
• Experience with Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS).
• Experience with Epic, PeopleSoft, Workday, or similar enterprise platforms.
• Experience managing sponsor invoicing and collections activities.
• Experience with financial forecasting and portfolio management.
• Lean or process improvement experience.

Work shift:

Day

Scheduled weekly hours:

40

Department:

Research Business Services

Join us!... if your passion is to work in a caring environment... if you believe that learning is a life-long process... if you strive for excellence and want to be among the best in the healthcare industry

Equal Employment Opportunity

OhioHealth is an equal opportunity employer and fully supports and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. OhioHealth does not discriminate against associates or applicants because of race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, military status, pregnancy, disability, marital status, familial status, or other characteristics protected by law. Equal employment is extended to all person in all aspects of the associate-employer relationship including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, reduction in staff, termination, assignment of benefits, and any other term or condition of employment