Key Responsibilities

Help on .... research finance

Getting started

The management of research accounts for awards received by the University is the joint responsibility of the project Principal Investigator (PI) and the Research Finance Section. The respective roles of the two parties in this process are as follows.

Key responsibilities of the Principal Investigator

to fulfil the contractual obligations for the project
to complete any interim and/or final reports required by the sponsor
to manage the day-to-day expenditure incurred on the project ensuring that it complies with any specific conditions laid down by the sponsor, does not exceed the agreed budget for the project and takes place within the specified period of the award
to ensure that research finance receive confirmation of amendments to the contractual details of the awards (such as staff start and end dates and changes in grading) in writing from the sponsor as soon as they arise
to ensure that research finance receive the appropriate forms to approve new or extensions to existing staffing posts as soon as it is known that these are required. (Where Departments have delegated responsibility for approving their own appointments, it is the PI's responsibility to ensure adequate funding exists to make an appointment to the required post and send the signed Authority To Recruit form to research finance for their attention)

Key responsibilities of research finance

to set up accounts for new research projects
to notify the Principal Investigator, Head of Department and the Departmental Administrator that the award has been received and that expenditure can be incurred
to check the availability of funding for new staffing appointments and extensions to existing contracts of employment
to complete reviews of expenditure incurred on accounts in line with the required frequency to ensure that it complies with the sponsor´s terms and conditions and highlight any areas of concern regarding budgetary control thereby reducing the likelihood of the project being overspent
to compete and issue invoices, claims and cost statements for research awards in line with the requirements of the relevant sponsor
to ensure that overheads are correctly allocated in line with the contractual details of the award
to close down research accounts after ensuring that all income has been received and expenditure incurred

Need help or more information?

Who to contact
Please contact a member of the research finance team who will assist with your query.