Harvard University

Financial Associate II

Cambridge, MA, United States · Mid · Contract

No sponsorshipDetected 1 day ago

AccountingExcelCustomer SupportResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationAccounts Payable

About the role

Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university.
By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match.
Emphasizes a strategic, risk-based approach to financial operations by proactively monitoring activity, identifying trends, and addressing root causes of issues rather than isolated transactions.

Implements proactive monitoring and analytics to identify patterns of non-compliance, misuse, or inefficiencies.
Develops and refines controls to reduce recurring issues, focusing on root cause resolution rather than exception handling alone.
Partners with departments to address systemic issues (e.g., late reconciliations, inappropriate usage patterns).
Manages temporary credit limit increases and cash advances with appropriate risk considerations.
Performs periodic audits and trend analysis to strengthen compliance and reduce rework.
Performs ongoing monitoring of payment workflows, including systematic review of invoices on hold to identify process bottlenecks or recurring issues.
Collaborates with departments to resolve underlying causes of delays or errors in invoice processing.
Recommends and supports implementation of process improvements to enhance efficiency and control environment.
Assists in developing training and guidance materials to reduce common errors and improve submission quality.
Support for families and caregivers

Associate degree in accounting or equivalent experience and at least 5 years of related experience.

Experience with Concur and Buy2Pay systems preferred.
Familiarity with international payments, tax considerations, or compliance frameworks is a plus

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
High level of discretion in handling sensitive information
Strong Excel skills
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, Criminal, Credit
Other Information: This position is based on campus in Cambridge, MA and required to work in person/on campus a minimum of 3 days/week.
Work Format Details
The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs.
Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.
Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location.

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
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.

We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives.

This listing is sourced directly from Harvard University's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.