Floating Financial Analyst

12-Oct-2021

Financial Administration

55745BR

Job Summary

The Floating Financial Analyst (FA) rotates across Research Finance (RF) teams in the Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) based on need. This 6-month term position is responsible for the oversight of financial deliverables and related compliance for assigned sponsored awards, including monitoring, reporting, invoicing, accounts receivables collections, reconciliation, and closeout. The FA works in collaboration with clients (departments, centers, schools) and RF teammates to meet these deliverables and manage sponsored accounts. The floating FA will also be assigned project-based duties, such as assisting with business process documentation, training initiatives, organizing documentation, ad hoc data analysis, billing or cash management support, and other special projects. Approximately 15% effort is anticipated for project-based duties and 85% for financial analyst portfolio work.

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. Flexibility, time management, and relationship-building with the various RF teams are also required.

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 Associate Director of Research Finance, but will also be supervised by RF Portfolio Managers, depending on the assignment.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Floating Financial Analyst

Harvard's Financial Administration Department (FAD) is responsible for the stewardship of the University’s finances, including related business processes and technology. FAD is dedicated to supporting the teaching and research mission of the University by providing outstanding financial services to the Harvard community; by providing support, guidance and consultation; by working to ensure compliance with University and federal guidelines; by mitigating risk; and by promoting the financial health of the University.

The Office for Sponsored Programs 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.

Typical duties include:

• 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 or additional support during busy periods. Applies good business practices consistently to new assignments, while being flexible and adaptable to work with different groups and sponsors.
• Assists with developing and delivering metrics/reports, business process documentation, training initiatives, and special projects as needed.

Basic Qualifications

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of direct accounting, financial management, data analysis, and/or grants management experience. 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.

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.

• 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

Interview and onboarding activity for this position may be conducted via telephone & Zoom video conferencing, based on the department’s current presence on campus.

Harvard is an on-campus community and all positions are based in Massachusetts. We currently expect that employees in Department will work remotely until Fall, 2021. Effective October 1st, as a condition of continued employment, all work must be performed in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT). 

FAD is currently developing hybrid workplace models which actively support remote work (within a Harvard registered state) where business and team needs allow. Any remote scheduling of your work, agreed to by your supervisor, will need to be in a state in which Harvard is registered as an employer as a condition of continued employment.  Individual flexible and remote work options for this role will may discussed during the interview process.

Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement and exceptions may be found at the University’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Harvard continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff and students, as well as the wider community. Information and details can be found via Harvard’s Coronavirus Workplace Policies website: https://hr.harvard.edu/corona-virus-workplace-policies.

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application and upload as one document.

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:
FAD is committed to an engaging and diverse culture, strong values, and client partnership. The department is led by the Vice President for Finance (VPF), is comprised of eight reporting units: 

• Office of the Controller
• Office of Finance and Administration 
• Office of Financial Strategy and Planning
• Office for Sponsored Programs
• Office of Treasury Management
• Risk Management and Audit Services
• Strategic Procurement
• Capital Planning and Project Services 

For more about the Financial Administration Department and its 8 reporting units, see: http://finance.harvard.edu

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging:
Harvard's commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is rooted in our belief in drawing on the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity. Our community strives to uphold these beliefs by honoring the rights, differences, and dignity of others and¿embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. Harvard aims to foster a campus culture where everyone can thrive, a key to which is ensuring that we each experience a profound sense of inclusion and belonging.

Total Rewards:
Harvard’s Total Rewards Program is designed to attract, retain, and reward the performance of talented employees. As a Harvard staff member, you enjoy many perks that come with working for one of the top employers in Massachusetts, including:

Flexible work environment: FAD supports flexible work arrangements where business needs allow.

Time off: 3 - 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.

Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans.

Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.

Harvard University Employees Credit Union: Our employees credit union provides a complete line of services for all your financial needs. https://huecu.org

Transportation: 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.

Wellness options: A variety of programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services.

Access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.

Learn more: https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards

Accessibility:
Harvard University IT plays an important role in supporting Harvard's commitment by seeking to create, procure and deploy technologies that are accessible to all, including and especially those who live with disability. Harvard welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

403127 Financial Associate II

Department

Office for Sponsored Programs

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Appointment End Date

29-Apr-2022

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

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.