Financial Analyst I

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.

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.

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. ( https://finance.harvard.edu/)

Job Description

The Office for Sponsored Programs is a department within Harvard University’s Financial Administration (FAD) that is focused on providing high-quality administrative and financial assistance to faculty and other University affiliates performing sponsored research. OSP works with researchers and schools 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, assist with audits, and promote knowledge of sponsored research administration throughout the University research community through training and other educational programs.

The Financial Analyst I (FA I) supports the Research Finance Operations (RFO) Team in the Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP). The three core functions of this role are:

- Apply standard practices with the interpretation and recording of financial terms in the Grants Management Application Suite (GMAS)  
- Prepare and submit a high volume of standardized invoices and reports to sponsors  
- Monitor and facilitate the collection of outstanding accounts receivable. This role requires the ability to balance accuracy with working in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.

The FA I is responsible for reviewing sponsored agreements for any terms related to payment and financial reporting and for setting up the schedule of invoices, financial reports (financial deliverables), and other related data in GMAS.

The FA I is also responsible for completing standard invoices and standard financial reports as assigned each month using an automated process in GMAS. In doing so, the FA I may be required to work directly with sponsors, clients, and colleagues to ensure the sponsor requirements are met.

The FA I also performs the accounts receivable collection of any outstanding sponsored payments and coordinates collections efforts with sponsors and clients when necessary.

Approximately 35% effort is anticipated for scheduling, 35% for invoicing and financial reporting, 20% for accounts receivable collection, and 10% for project-based duties, which can include business process documentation, training initiatives, account reconciliation and closeout, ad hoc data analysis, and other special projects.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

- Serves as a principal source of information for interpreting complex financial terms and conditions within sponsored agreements
- Accurately records financial deliverable schedules and related information in the sponsored system of record (GMAS)
- Produces timely and accurate invoices and financial reports based on sponsor deadlines
- Analyzes financial data to identify potential risks and issues (quantitatively and qualitatively) in a way that is meaningful and proposes solutions for complex issues and best practices, which may require the entry of adjustments in the General Ledger
- Works within the team and across Research Finance to update and develop business processes and identify best practices
- Liaise effectively with other groups, such as sponsors, school financial offices, academic department leadership, pre-award offices, and central finance and technology units to clarify sponsor requirements, business processes, and systems
- Provides backfill support for peers or additional support during busy periods, when required, consistently applying processes and practices to new assignments
- Assists with developing and delivering metrics/reports, business process documentation, training initiatives, and special projects as needed

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

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

For consideration, please include a cover letter.

- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
- 3+ years of direct accounting, financial management, data analysis, and/or grants management experience. Progress toward relevant professional certification may count toward experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following 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 prioritize and handle large volumes of work in a deadline driven environment
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion and judgment
- Working knowledge of accounting and direct experience in financial management
- Experience with fund accounting or sponsored accounting
- Experience in sponsored programs or a research environment
- Problem-solving orientation and ability to be thorough and detail-oriented, but also able to summarize and convey the bigger picture
- Proven ability to utilize multiple financial and reporting systems, as well as other applications (i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe)
- Demonstrated strength in written and verbal communication

Additional Information

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Working Conditions: Primarily remote role with flexibility to work on-site and optional in-person meetings bi-monthly. On-site attendance expectations may evolve based on business needs.

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

Other Information: This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.

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 055. 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.