Lead Research Associate-Finance at Westat
Rockville, MD
About the Job
Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.
Job Summary
Westat has an immediate opening for a Finance Coordinator - Lead Research Associate in the Public Health & Epidemiology Practice to support project leadership in management of a multi-million-dollar portfolio of research contracts. The candidate will manage and support various aspects of invoice processing, budgeting, and financial reporting. The role involves close coordination with subcontractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure the accuracy of invoices and budget forecasts, and to provide overall support for the projects' financial operations.
At Westat, we embrace flexible work arrangements that empower our team to balance their professional and personal lives effectively. Employees are expected to work on-site at least four days each month. Our core business hours are from 10 AM to 3 PM ET, providing a consistent framework for collaboration. Join us and be part of a dynamic team that values flexibility and work-life balance. Please note our corporate headquarters will be moving from Rockville, Maryland to Bethesda, Maryland in late 2025.
Job Responsibilities
• Support financial reporting activities and update program forecasts based on information from project leadership.
• Provide support with monthly financial reporting and other ad hoc financial reports.
• Assist with program budgeting, preparing and revising client-facing budget documents.
• Update program forecasts in the Focus Point tool based on information provided by project leadership.
• Review, verify, and manage subcontractor, vendor, and consultant invoices, ensuring timely submission and alignment with contracts or purchase orders.
• Maintain and update invoice tracking systems, communicate discrepancies, and collaborate with the Finance Manager on any funding issues.
• Monitor and manage the project's central financial inbox, responding to inquiries, and escalating issues as needed.
• Establish and maintain relationships with subcontractors and vendors to address invoicing, cost estimates, and reconciliation inquiries.
Basic Qualifications
• Typically requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of related work experience to include project cost control or financial management in a government contracting environment.
• Basic to Intermediate MS Excel skills such as pivot tables, filters, and sorts to work with large data sets performing analysis and monthly manual spreadsheet report in support of monthly invoice.
Preferred Qualifications
• Knowledge of accounting principles to include cost collection, revenue recognition.
• Estimate at Complete (EAC) lifecycle, invoicing, and unbilled reconciliation.
• Experience with financial reporting systems.
• Ability to work with multiple support functions (contracts, procurement, accounting).
• Ability to communicate financial information into actionable data for non-financial collaborators.
• Knowledge of Cost Reimbursement /Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts
Other Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
#LI-WST1 #HYBRID
Job Summary
Westat has an immediate opening for a Finance Coordinator - Lead Research Associate in the Public Health & Epidemiology Practice to support project leadership in management of a multi-million-dollar portfolio of research contracts. The candidate will manage and support various aspects of invoice processing, budgeting, and financial reporting. The role involves close coordination with subcontractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure the accuracy of invoices and budget forecasts, and to provide overall support for the projects' financial operations.
At Westat, we embrace flexible work arrangements that empower our team to balance their professional and personal lives effectively. Employees are expected to work on-site at least four days each month. Our core business hours are from 10 AM to 3 PM ET, providing a consistent framework for collaboration. Join us and be part of a dynamic team that values flexibility and work-life balance. Please note our corporate headquarters will be moving from Rockville, Maryland to Bethesda, Maryland in late 2025.
Job Responsibilities
• Support financial reporting activities and update program forecasts based on information from project leadership.
• Provide support with monthly financial reporting and other ad hoc financial reports.
• Assist with program budgeting, preparing and revising client-facing budget documents.
• Update program forecasts in the Focus Point tool based on information provided by project leadership.
• Review, verify, and manage subcontractor, vendor, and consultant invoices, ensuring timely submission and alignment with contracts or purchase orders.
• Maintain and update invoice tracking systems, communicate discrepancies, and collaborate with the Finance Manager on any funding issues.
• Monitor and manage the project's central financial inbox, responding to inquiries, and escalating issues as needed.
• Establish and maintain relationships with subcontractors and vendors to address invoicing, cost estimates, and reconciliation inquiries.
Basic Qualifications
• Typically requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of related work experience to include project cost control or financial management in a government contracting environment.
• Basic to Intermediate MS Excel skills such as pivot tables, filters, and sorts to work with large data sets performing analysis and monthly manual spreadsheet report in support of monthly invoice.
Preferred Qualifications
• Knowledge of accounting principles to include cost collection, revenue recognition.
• Estimate at Complete (EAC) lifecycle, invoicing, and unbilled reconciliation.
• Experience with financial reporting systems.
• Ability to work with multiple support functions (contracts, procurement, accounting).
• Ability to communicate financial information into actionable data for non-financial collaborators.
• Knowledge of Cost Reimbursement /Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts
Other Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
- Sick Leave (10 days per year)
- Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
#LI-WST1 #HYBRID
