Financial Associate

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences is seeking a Financial Associate to support Harvard College Admissions and Financial Aid Office’s financial operations. Reporting to the Financial Manager, you will handle daily finance tasks and serve as the expert on financial policy across the department.

The role emphasizes accuracy, training on payroll, collaboration with staff, and timely processing of transactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 1 year relevant work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across diverse constituents.

Responsibilities

• Handle daily operations for the Finance team, including processing purchase orders and payroll.
• Serve as the principal source of information on financial policies and procedures.
• Manage student hiring and payroll processes; coordinate with Payroll and staff supervisors.
• Develop and provide training on student payroll and financial policies.
• Monitor General Ledger for accounting consistencies and assist with year-end tasks.
• Assist with hiring and supervising temporary/seasonal staff.
• Facilitate staff financial onboarding and offboarding.
• Participate in financial year-end processes and other duties as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Financial policy knowledge

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Financial Manager, the position is part of a team supporting Harvard College Admissions and Financial Aid Office’s financial operations.

The Financial Associate serves as the general finance contact for a large department, interacting with offices across the university and Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), and enables the timely and accurate processing of financial transactions and reconciliations. In addition, the role acts as an internal subject matter expert on financial policy, procedures, and student employee payroll, providing guidance to staff and ensuring compliance.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Handle daily operations for the Finance team, including processing purchase orders and invoice payments, reimbursements, credit card transactions, and student employee hiring and payroll.
• Serve as the principal source of information on financial policies and procedures and provide guidance to Admissions and Financial Aid staff and student employees; monitor the Finance team email account.
• Manage student hiring and payroll processes; serve as the primary contact for FAS Payroll and local staff supervisors.
• Develop and provide training on student payroll, financial transactions, corporate credit cards, and financial policies and procedures.
• Monitor General Ledger for accounting consistencies and troubleshoot to resolution, assist with quarterly review, and process internal journal transfer payments.
• Assist with hiring and supervising temporary/seasonal staff to support financial operations.
• Facilitate staff financial onboarding and offboarding.
• Participate in financial year-end processes and other duties as required.

Working Conditions

• Work may be performed primarily remotely, but will require in-person attendance for activities, such as bi-annual all-staff meetings, handling mail, petty cash transactions. (Note: The office does not reimburse employees for commuting/lodging expenses related to on-campus activities.)
• Some evening/weekend work during peak periods and holidays may be required.
• Any remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (including, but not limited to, CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, and VT).

Physical Requirements

• Sitting using near vision use for computer use for extended periods of time

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (required)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of 1 year relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills (preferred)

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal); ability to develop relationships and collaborate with diverse constituents across all levels
• Demonstrated customer service orientation
• Strong professional judgment, attention to detail, and ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to effectively communicate complex financial policy to diverse constituents
• Team-oriented with strong time management and organizational skills to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and support team operations
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, multi-task, and be adaptable
• Proficiency with office and collaboration tools, as well as administrative systems, is necessary
• Prior experience with financial operations and applications preferred
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, and Reference checks required.

Other Information

• This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.
• All formal offers will be made by FAS HR.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 054. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.