Senior Finance Associate

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Finance Associate provides advanced financial, transactional, and compliance support for academic departments and centers within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Reporting to the Manager of Financial Operations, this role manages day-to-day financial operations, supports departmental budgeting and financial reporting, ensures compliance with university and sponsor policies, and serves as a resource to faculty and staff on financial procedures. Working independently and in collaboration with colleagues in the departments they support and across the FAS Office of Finance, the Senior Finance Associate oversees complex financial transactions, monitors departmental finances, prepares financial analyses and reports, and helps ensure the responsible stewardship of university resources. Given the breadth and diversity of financial operations across the academic enterprise, the Senior Finance Associate may perform additional financial, operational, and administrative responsibilities that are consistent with the scope and level of the position but are not specifically listed in this description.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in accounting or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years’ related experience.
• Basic familiarity with financial or expense systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, Concur) preferred.
• Proficiency with Excel and standard office tools; computer competency requiring spreadsheet and database software required.
• Desire and aptitude to learn complex data query tools required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn financial policies and procedures and take direction.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Customer service orientation and clear communication.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with guidance.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve requisitions for costing accuracy, funding availability, and compliance with competitive bidding requirements.
• Process and track change order requests.
• Serve as the principal source of information on complex financial policies and procedures, including federal funding rules, and advise faculty, students, or staff on existing options or alternatives.
• Reconcile P-Card and department card transactions in Concur.
• Review expense reports for required receipts and documentation, appropriate approvals, and compliance with institutional policies.
• Ensure travel expenses align with federal and institutional guidelines (e.g., per diem, airfare class, lodging limits).
• Work with faculty and staff to obtain missing documentation and support timely submission in Concur.
• Process late reimbursements (e.g., via Aurora or equivalent systems).
• Process non-employee travel reimbursements.
• Gather information needed for billing.
• Record incoming payments (checks, wires, credit cards).
• Assist in resolving unclaimed or unidentified incoming payments.
• Match payments to invoices and escalate discrepancies as needed.
• Review checks and wire transfers and indicate appropriate chart string/funding allocation.
• Respond to basic donor and external partner inquiries regarding payment methods.
• Confirm receipt of funds with donors and stakeholders as directed.
• Initiate wire transfers and support foreign payment processing (in coordination with invoice workflows).
• Manage and reconcile petty cash in compliance with policy.
• Receive and process invoices against open purchase orders.
• Assist in reviewing invoice holds reports and resolving exceptions.
• Process outstanding procurement card (P-Card) transactions.
• Deposit cash and check receipts in accordance with university policy.
• Assist in reviewing and claiming unclaimed incoming wire transfers.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree