Senior Finance Associate

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Harvard University invites applications for a Senior Finance Associate to support academic departments within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. You will provide advanced financial, transactional, and compliance support, reporting to the Manager of Financial Operations.

The role manages day-to-day operations, budgeting, reporting, and policy compliance. Working with colleagues across the FAS Office of Finance, you will oversee complex transactions, monitor finances, prepare analyses, and

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in accounting or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years’ related experience.
• Familiarity with financial/expense systems (Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, Concur) preferred.
• Proficiency with Excel and standard office tools.
• Strong written and oral communication and ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Procurement & Requisition: review/approve requisitions, costings, funding, and bidding.
• Travel & Expense: reconcile P-Card, review expense reports, ensure compliance.
• Accounts Receivable & Revenue: gather billing info, record payments, resolve inquiries.
• Cash & Payment Operations: initiate wire transfers, manage petty cash.
• Year-End Close: process invoices, review holds, deposit receipts.

Skills

Excel

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Discretion

Education

Associate’s degree in accounting or equivalent experience

Tools

Oracle

SAP

PeopleSoft

Concur

Job description

Company Description

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

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart ofHarvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduateprogram (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all ofHarvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GraduateSchool of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athleticsand the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academicdepartments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a communityunparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest rangeof liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeksto foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and sharedcommitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from allmembers of our community and prepares the next generation ofleaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Senior Finance Associate provides advanced financial,transactional, and compliance support for academic departments andcenters within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Reporting to theManager of Financial Operations, this role manages day-to-dayfinancial operations, supports departmental budgeting and financialreporting, ensures compliance with university and sponsor policies,and serves as a resource to faculty and staff on financialprocedures.

Working independently and in collaboration with colleagues in thedepartments they support and across the FAS Office of Finance, theSenior Finance Associate oversees complex financial transactions,monitors departmental finances, prepares financial analyses andreports, and helps ensure the responsible stewardship of universityresources. Given the breadth and diversity of financial operationsacross the academic enterprise, the Senior Finance Associate mayperform additional financial, operational, and administrativeresponsibilities that are consistent with the scope and level ofthe position but are not specifically listed in thisdescription.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Procurement & Requisition Support

• Review and approve requisitions:
• • Costing accuracy
  • Funding availability
  • Compliance with competitive bidding requirements (e.g.,multiple quotes)
• Process and track change order requests
• Serves as principal source of information on complex financialpolicies and procedures including federal funding rules, andadvises faculty, students or staff on existing options oralternatives

Travel & Expense Processing

• Reconcile P-Card and department card transactions inConcur
• Review expense reports for:
• • Required receipts and documentation
  • Appropriate approvals
  • Compliance with institutional policies
• Ensure travel expenses align with federal and institutionalguidelines (e.g., per diem, airfare class, lodging limits)
• Work with faculty and staff to obtain missing documentation andsupport timely submission in Concur
• Process late reimbursements (e.g., via Aurora or equivalentsystems)
• Process non-employee travel reimbursements

Accounts Receivable & Revenue Support

• Gather information needed for billing
• Record incoming payments (checks, wires, credit cards)
• Assist in resolving unclaimed or unidentified incomingpayments
• Match payments to invoices and escalationdiscrepancies asneeded
• Review checks and wire transfers and indicate appropriate chartstring/funding allocation
• Respond to basic donor and external partner inquiries regardingpayment methods
• Confirm receipt of funds with donors and stakeholders asdirected

Cash & Payment Operations

• Initiate wire transfers and support foreign payment processing(in coordination with invoice workflows)
• Manage and reconcile petty cash in compliance with policy

Year-End Close Activities

• Receive and process invoices against open purchase orders
• Assist in reviewing invoice holds reports and resolvingexceptions
• Process outstanding procurement card (P-Card) transactions
• Deposit cash and check receipts in accordance with universitypolicy
• Assist in reviewing and claiming unclaimed incoming wiretransfers

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting;this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days per week on campus

Physical Requirements

Sitting and using near vision forreading and computer work for extended periods of time

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in accounting or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years’ related experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Basic familiarity with financial or expense systems (e.g.,Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, Concur) preferred
• Proficiency with Excel and standard office tools; computercompetency requiring spreadsheet and database softwarerequired.
• Desire and aptitude to learn complex data query toolsrequired
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information withdiscretion
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn financialpolicies and procedures and take direction
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Customer service orientation and clear communication
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with guidance

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: All formal offers will be made by FASHuman Resources.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders thatsome of the duties and responsibilities can be effectivelyperformed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and locationwill be set by the department at its discretion and based uponoperational needs. When not working at a Harvard orHarvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions mustwork in a Harvard registered state in compliance with theUniversity’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 priorto employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view thecorresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

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

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

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

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talentfrom all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensureeveryone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our communityadvance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on thebasis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in theuniversity's non-discrimination policy . Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help allcommunity members participate fully in work and campus life freefrom harassment and discrimination.