Job Summary

Financial Administration (FAD) is dedicated to advancing Harvard University's teaching and research mission by stewarding its resources; providing support, guidance, and consultation; ensuring compliance with University and federal guidelines; mitigating risk; pursuing operational excellence; and promoting the financial health of the University.

The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) is a department within Harvard University's Financial Administration that is focused on providing high-quality administrative and financial assistance to faculty and other University affiliates performing sponsored research. OSP works with researchers across Harvard to help obtain and negotiate awards from sponsoring agencies, assist with grant proposal preparation, ensure compliance with federal regulations and University policies, provide financial support including financial reporting and billing and collection services, and promote knowledge of sponsored research administration throughout the University research community.

The Financial Analyst (FA) is responsible for the oversight of financial deliverables and related compliance of a portfolio of sponsored awards, including monitoring, reporting, invoicing, accounts receivable collections, reconciliation, and closeout. The FA works in collaboration with clients (departments, centers, schools) to meet these deliverables and manage sponsored accounts. The portfolio will include a mix of departments and centers with approximately 200 active awards of various size and complexity. The position requires performance of complex analyses and review of award expenditures in conjunction with sponsor terms and regulations. After sufficient training in grants compliance and Harvard policies and systems, the FA will work independently and use judgment in interpreting and implementing sponsor and University policies and procedures.

This is a great opportunity for a professional with some experience in accounting or financial management who is interested in working for a nonprofit, supporting University research, and learning more about sponsored accounting within higher education. The FA reports to the Research Finance Portfolio Team Manager.

Position Description

• Serves as a principal source of information on complex University, federal, and sponsor fiscal policies and procedures related to cash management, reporting, and closeout. Interprets guidelines and policies, and effectively advises departmental staff on options or alternatives and recommends courses of action.
• Works with departmental staff to achieve timely and accurate invoicing, financial reporting, reconciliation, and closeout of all sponsored awards in the portfolio. Monitors active awards to proactively identify potential issues.
• Works collaboratively to research and resolve issues, escalating as needed.
• Analyzes financial data and submits journal entries that will affect Harvard's general ledger. Independently enters final data in Harvard's auditable system of record for grants management (GMAS), including the sub-ledger responsible for receivables.
• Analyzes financial data to identify potential risks and issues. Presents data and issues (quantitatively and qualitatively) in a way that is meaningful to departments, colleagues, managers, and auditors. Proposes resolutions for complex issues and for financial management best practices.
• Documents all work so that it is clear to other staff or auditors. Provides requested documentation for annual Single Audit and ad-hoc internal or external audits.
• Interacts with Harvard's sponsors as needed to clarify terms and submit required reports and invoices.
• Liaises effectively with other groups, such as school financial offices, academic department leadership, pre-award offices, and central financial and technology units.
• Provides backfill support for peers, as needed.
• Assists with developing and delivering metrics/reports, business process documentation, training initiatives, and special projects as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• Associates degree or relevant work experience.
• 3+ years of direct accounting, financial management, data analysis, and/or grants management experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Education beyond high school or progress toward relevant professional certification may count toward experience
• Intermediate to advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel (e.g. formulas, filters, charts, and pivot tables) and other Microsoft tools.
• Demonstrated agility working with systems and reporting.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion and judgment.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Working knowledge of accounting and direct experience in financial management (incurring expenses, invoicing and reporting, accounts payable, and/or accounts receivable).
• Experience with fund accounting or sponsored accounting is a plus.
• Experience in a research environment is a plus.
• Experience auditing or responding to an audit is very helpful.
• Problem-solving orientation and ability to be thorough and detail-oriented, but also summarize and convey the bigger picture.
• Customer service orientation with a collegial and collaborative approach to working with others across the University.
• Independent and professional judgment and prioritization. Ability to focus on the highest-risk items and allocate time accordingly, juggling multiple job duties and clients.

Working Conditions

FAD actively supports hybrid work where business needs allow. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.

More about FAD:

Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change.

Within our own community, we aspire to:

• Engage with respect, honesty, and integrity
• Cultivate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• Welcome innovation, collaboration, and flexibility
• Enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary

Learn more about Financial Administration (harvard.edu) and our eight reporting units.

Salary Grade: 055

Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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