Finance Coordinator (Staff Accountant) Provost Academic Support

Duke Careers•Durham, NC

1d•$48,022 - $69,569•Hybrid

About The Position

Duke University: Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries. Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke. Be You. At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Finance Coordinator (Staff Accountant), you will serve as the front‑line point of contact for financial activities supporting University Institutes and Centers (UICs) and other Academic Support units within Provost Academic Support (PAS). In this highly visible role, you’ll partner closely with finance and human resource professionals to ensure academic support units operate as a model of excellence—allocating and expending resources in accordance with University policy while delivering exceptional customer service to faculty, staff, and campus partners. This is a full‑time, exempt position with occasional on‑campus presence required. Be Bold. This role is ideal for a finance professional who enjoys solving problems, navigating complex systems, and serving as a trusted advisor. You’ll triage and escalate financial matters, interpret policy, and help others succeed by providing guidance, training, and timely solutions in a fast‑paced academic environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a directly related field
Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
At least two years of experience in an accounting or financial setting
Experience working with financial systems and resolving complex accounting issues
Familiarity with accepted accounting practices and compliance requirements

Nice To Haves

Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to work effectively across all organizational levels and influence outcomes
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
Experience with Duke@Work, SAP, and other enterprise financial systems

Responsibilities

Serve as a procurement expert for assigned units, advising on the most appropriate purchasing mechanisms
Review and approve journal vouchers, corporate card transactions, and high‑dollar procurement items
Prepare balance, projection, and variance reports for financial managers and UIC leadership
Maintain and distribute endowment reports for all UICs
Assist with annual budget preparation and monitoring activities
Perform periodic corporate card audits and report findings to leadership
Train faculty and staff on financial systems and procedures, including travel, reimbursement, and corporate cards
Field questions and provide guidance on best practices related to ETRs, APs, IRI, Buy@Duke, SAP R/3, and related systems
Monitor and resolve stalled workflow items
Run monthly CAS reports and communicate findings to impacted units
Oversee the UIC corporate card program, liaising with Card Services and departments on compliance, limits, and timeliness
Complete month‑end close procedures, including reconciliations for assigned BFRs
Review overdrafts, CAS compliance, and delinquent items; report write‑offs or interest charges to the Finance Director
Review and distribute problem invoice reports
Serve as a reconciliation tool expert and conduct periodic departmental audits
Prepare analytical and narrative reports for assigned endowments
Prepare the annual Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) report
Coordinate and administer SAP R/3 workflows and related administrative systems (AP, Travel, Buy@Duke)
Process and oversee security permissions and workflow setup
Review and process cost center and BFR add/change/block requests
Support compensatory and non‑compensatory payroll for undergraduate and graduate summer programs
Assist with program setup and collaborate with Payroll to determine appropriate payroll types
Manage administrative activities for signature programs such as Data+, partnering with program staff, Payroll, and OIT
Direct staff on payroll‑related elements tied to student programs
Order and maintain office supplies and coordinate maintenance requests
Perform occasional courier services on campus
Complete I‑9 verification for student hires
Assist with dossier preparation and MOU logging, as needed
Perform other duties as assigned