View Jobs in All Categories:

26-May-2023

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

62541BR

Job Summary

The Davis Center is the home for research on Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University. Our collaborative community of scholars, staff, and students push the boundaries of accessible, interdisciplinary work on Eurasia through world-leading innovative scholarship, creative teaching, and broad learning. With a dedicated mission to advance research from across our field at Harvard and beyond, we educate future leaders of all ages—from K-14 to our wider community—who will make enduring contributions and want to apply deep knowledge to contemporary problems in the region.

The Davis Center values creativity, vigorous scholarly engagement, and a collaborative team environment.

As part of a three-person team, the Financial Associate plays a critical "back-office" role in helping the center to implement it's goals and priorities. This person is responsible for administration and implementation of day-to-day financial operations including compliance, transactions, reporting, and record keeping; and ensures compliance with, and serves as a resource on, Harvard policies and procedures, and Davis Center fund terms. 

We seek candidates who are flexible and adaptable to change, interested in a highly mission-driven organization with a diverse portfolio of priorities and activities, willing and able to provide a high level of customer service to Davis Center staff, students, and faculty. 

Position Description

1. Transactions

• Ensure lifecycle completion of transactions: vendor set-up, reimbursements, purchase orders and invoices, honoraria; P-card review and reconciliation; wire transfers and special handling requests; and monthly reconciliation.
• Process fund and expense transfers to other departments for co-sponsored activities and administrative purposes.
• Ensure transactions are correctly allocated: review purpose, identify appropriate fund/program/activity/ to allocate expense, based on budget.

2. Reconciliation

• Reconcile weekly, biweekly and monthly payroll.
• Reconcile transactions each month, identify and research errors.
• Create journal entries for correcting adjustments to the general ledger.

3. Financial Reporting

• Using OBI reporting system and excel, create quarterly and ad hoc reports for program staff, identifying actual expenses to budget.
• Assist the Director of Administration and Finance with analyzing data and preparing annual budget.

4. Finance operations

• Support the establishment and documentation of new funds, activities, and sub-activities.
• Responsible for fiscal year-end closing activities.
• Maintain and archive financial records to ensure compliance with the University's retention policy.

5. Other

• Stay abreast of FAS and Harvard policies and procedures; communicate updates to staff
• Train staff on the financial policies and procedures.
• Stay current on system upgrades and policies.
• Provide support to DAF for special projects.
• Serve as backup on transactions for Senior Sponsored Grants Administrator.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities in support of Davis Center activities as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

A minimum of three years financial or accounting experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience (one year of work experience combined with college level course work or internship experience in finance)

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The Davis Center is a dynamic, growing and changing organization. In addition to the following items, the candidate should be flexible and adaptable to change, interested in a highly mission-driven organization with a diverse portfolio of priorities and activities, and must be committed to providing the highest level of customer service and responsiveness.

• Ability to coordinate accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting.
• Ability to navigate complex financial and reporting systems within a university.
• Ability to generate reports and present data in usable formats.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Able to handle confidential information with appropriate discretion.
• Able to exercise a high degree of judgment to make sound independent decisions.
• Must be detail oriented, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Familiar with Harvard's financial systems and policies highly desirable.

Additional Information

** Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter with their resume.

This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Like all Davis Center positions, it requires a strong in-office presence. All full-time staff currently work 3-4 days in the office and 1-2 days remotely. This may be adjusted at a later date. Wednesday is a required in-person "anchor" day.

The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies exists to advance scholarship in all fields of Russian and Eurasian studies at Harvard. The Center does this in many ways: administering a master's program in regional studies, sponsoring seminars and conferences, supporting faculty and student research, maintaining the Davis Center Collection at Fung Library, hosting postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and associates in research, publishing a journal on the Cold War, and sponsoring outreach to K-14 educators and students and the broader community.

To learn more about the Davis Center visit our website at https://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/.

All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

400110 Financial Associate I

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.