The document, presented by Sue Paulson at the June 2012 Council on Government Relations (COGR) meeting, provides a detailed overview of the complexities involved in managing federal financial reporting within research organizations. The presentation outlines the organizational structure of sponsored financial reporting departments, specifying roles and responsibilities for handling federal and non-federal awards, accounts receivable, and data analysis. It highlights the intricate landscape of federal systems used for drawing funds and invoicing, noting both the variety and the unique nuances inherent to each agency’s requirements, which necessitate specialized expertise among staff.
Challenges identified include the variation and evolving nature of reporting systems and expectations across agencies, as well as the administrative burdens imposed by programs like ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). The document details Minnesota’s centralized and systematized approach to ARRA reporting as a case study, illustrating efforts to streamline data collection and validation while minimizing burdens on principal investigators. It further quantifies the administrative workload and financial implications of federal reporting, projecting increased reporting needs and the associated costs. The presentation concludes by acknowledging the negative impact of escalating transparency and reporting requirements on staff morale, emphasizing the risk of burnout and loss of institutional expertise, and underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue and data-driven advocacy to demonstrate and address the administrative burden.
