Reporting to the Associate Director for Finance and Research Administration, the Financial Associate (FA) will be a member of the finance team responsible for managing disbursements, receivables, financial accounting, and reporting. The FA will use a full range of Harvard University financial accounting and administration systems.

The Financial Associate will be a key contributor in the execution of task-based activities associated with disbursements, receivables, financial accounting, financial reporting, and document management and record keeping. Specifically, the duties and responsibilities will include:

Disbursements: Manage procurement processes, reimbursements, and card services. Act as first and final approver, reviewing transactions against internal and external policies and guidelines, in procurement system. Process purchase requisitions; initiate payment requests change-orders, handle vendor invoices and statements. Review and approve reimbursement and payment processing through purchasing card and corporate card.

Receivables: Manage departmental invoicing, collections, and receipts. External invoicing (using receivable module) and internal billing to other departments. Obtaining and invoicing against external purchase orders for goods, services, and personnel. Collections and aged receivable management

Financial Accounting - Journal preparer and approver for non-sponsored funds. Journal preparer for sponsored funds. Quarter and Year-end financial close assistance. Monthly reconciliations and reviews of accounting reports.

Financial Reporting - Activity based monitoring, projections and reporting for Graduate Students, Postdoctoral Researchers, Faculty, IT, Department, Service Centers, Colloquia & Other - Actuals v Budgets. Fund based monitoring and reporting for unrestricted designated, gift and endowment. Buy to Pay procurement oversight - Holds quantity, price and receiving, committed funds report and escheatment reports. Corporate card outstanding balances tracking and problem resolution. Aged receivables review, follow up and reconciliation with underlying funds. General ledger review of transactions relating to designated activities and funds. Periodic review of selected transactions for management review. Volume and metric reporting.

Other - Financial records - document management. Oversee storage, retrieval, and maintain compliance with University General Records Schedule. Act as financial policies point person.

Associates degree in accounting or equivalent experience. A minimum of three years of relevant experience in financial bookkeeping, record keeping, reporting, or administration required.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Experience in an academic department is highly preferred.

Successful candidate must demonstrate attention to detail, proficiency with MS Office, ability to navigate enterprise Oracle applications, adaptability with new web-based tools, possess excellent organization and communication skills, and team approach in job responsibilities. The ability to deliver work results of high quality while managing multiple projects under time pressure, and ability to function well in a fast-paced, high-energy and changing work environment with minimum supervision.

Experience with large financial applications is also highly preferred. Familiarity with A-21 is helpful.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.