Research Finance Compliance Analyst

04-Sep-2024

Research Finance Compliance Analyst

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

66664BR

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Research Finance, Compliance, and Training in the FAS Office of Research Administration (FORA), the Research Finance Compliance Analyst is responsible for data analysis, reporting, and monitoring compliance with policies, procedures, and systems related to post-award sponsored research finance administration.

Position Description

• Assist in the development and reporting of year-over-year sponsored financial planning for FAS.
• Analyze complex research finance data sets to ensure compliance with established policies.
• Analyze complex data, ensure data quality, perform research, understand trends, make recommendations to the team for problem solving and escalate as necessary.
• Prepare timely and complex monitoring reports that require the selection and interpretation of data.
• Provide support by running, analyzing, and communicating to departments on questionable charges to federal awards, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and Harvard policy.
• Assist the Research Finance Team in spot reviews pertaining to high-risk audit areas.
• In collaboration with Faculty Affairs, perform reviews of faculty to assess risks associated with multiple appointments/ affiliations and outside activities, an area highly scrutinized by the federal funding agencies.
• Identify potential risks associated with overcommitments and unmet effort commitments through data analysis from multiple sources such as: eCRT, GMAS, SPECTRA, and AURORA.
• Perform monthly compliance reporting on various high risk sponsored research areas, which include extensive reviews and analysis of current and pending/other support pages through the Grants Management Application Suite (GMAS).
• Work with the Office for Sponsored Programs and other internal clients to meet reporting and other compliance needs·       Support for the annual Uniform Guidance audit (formerly A-133), internal RMAS audits and other agency external audits. Including support for equipment management/inventory.
• Assist the Research Finance team with communication of analysis with appropriate departmental, centers, and FAS staff and faculty.
• Provide guidance and support to departments on various compliance-related items.
• Assist FORA managers with supplemental salary requests in the SPECTRA system through outreach to departments, testing enhancements, running reports, meeting coordination, and collaborating with FAS Finance to update resources.
• Provide support in training documents and job aids for various research finance related activities.
• Help build relationships and sharing of best practices between grants managers within FAS, and to strengthen communications with Harvard Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and FAS Finance.
• Serve as back-up for other post-award personnel in their absence.
• Coordinate meetings for the Research Finance and Compliance team as needed.
• Contribute to other team goals as required.
• Serve as committee member or FAS representative, as needed.
• Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3 years of directly related experience in financial management, accounting or research finance and grants administration.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting or finance principles and practices in a commercial or non-profit setting.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills required with strong proficiency in Excel.
• Proficiency with reporting tools to analyze data and develop visual representations of the data.
• Knowledge of sponsored research finance desirable.
• Knowledge of federal research regulations desirable.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to interact collaboratively with administrators.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with the utmost discretion.
• Working knowledge of Harvard University systems (including GMAS, financial systems, and Oracle Analytics) and research administration policies desirable.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting.

Additional Information

This job is part of the FAS Employee Referral Program.  Guidelines, including information on the $2500 referral bonus, are here.

We regret that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Work Format Details

Hybrid office environment; this position will be based in Cambridge, MA and there is an expectation of some workdays per week on campus.  Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Office of Research Administration (FORA) is beginning an exciting period of transformation and growth.  As we transition to this new brand, we remain committed to providing the same exceptional support and services to our research community.  Formerly FAS Research Administration Services, this change reflects our dedication to enhancing our organizational structure and improving the resources we offer.   We hope you will join us as we continue to foster excellence and support impactful research as FORA. 

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) 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.

Job Function

Finance

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405007 Financial Professional (N)

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Administration and Finance

Salary Grade

056

Department

FAS Office of Research Administration (formerly FAS Research Administration Services)

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

M-F 9-5

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.

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