Harvard University
Education
FinancialAssistant
“Financial Assistant at Harvard University. Skills: budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial analysis, Excel proficiency. Review and approve purchase orders and payment requests in procurement system (B2P), ensuring accurate budget allocation and compliance with University policies. Review and approve employee reimbursements, Corporate and Purchasing Card transactions in Concur, ensuring accuracy, appropriate allocation, and policy adherence”
What You'll Achieve.
contributes to supporting teaching, research, and institutional strategy; enhances the accuracy, usability, and efficiency of financial information through improved processes and automation; delivers clear, data-informed insights that support effective decision making and responsible stewardship of institutional resources; inform resource allocation and decision making; highlight key risks and opportunities
Industry & Context.
rigorous analysis; using data to inform meaningful decisions; ask “why,” look for patterns, and push for better ways of doing things; analyze variances; identify potential budgetary or compliance issues; prepare journal entries to correct discrepancies and process chargebacks; Conduct ad hoc financial analyses
Additional support outside of regularly scheduled hours, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holiday breaks, may occasionally be required, This role is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA-based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite at least three days per week and for departments to provide onsite coverage Monday - Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice., We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role., 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](https: //harvie. harvard. edu/sites/g/files/omnuum12046/files/humanresources/filesploymentoutsidema_policy. pdf)., Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Minimum of four years’ experience in finance, accounting or related field is required
Nice to Have
attention to detail and accuracy, Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentations, Proven ability to build relationship and collaborate across all organizational levels and with external partners, Exceptional organizational and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively, Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity, Advanced proficiency in Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and lookup functions, Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) and general web-based tools
What You'll Do.
Review and approve purchase orders and payment requests in procurement system (B2P)
ensuring accurate budget allocation and compliance with University policies
Review and approve employee reimbursements
Corporate and Purchasing Card transactions in Concur
appropriate allocation
Prepare fiscal month-end and year-end close processes
including reconciliations
accrual journal entries
and prepaid expense adjustments
Serve as a financial resource to the IT department responding to transactional and budget-related inquiries
Promote consistent use of financial tools
including appropriate application of the University’s chart of accounts
Develop and distribute monthly financial reports
including budget-to-actual analyses across projects and teams to inform resource allocation and decision making
Meet regularly with budget owners to review projections
and highlight key risks and opportunities
Monitor financial trends and identify potential budgetary or compliance issues and prepare journal entries to correct discrepancies and process chargebacks
Support the Associate Director of FP&A in preparing annual operating budgets
multi-year financial plans
and related processes
Conduct ad hoc financial analyses and assist with the development of program
project or activity-specific budgets as needed
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents; Proven ability to build relationship and collaborate across all organizational levels and with external partners
Communication Scope
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentations; Clearly explain financial concepts
Process & Methodology
Exceptional organizational and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
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