All applications must be submitted through Columbia University's Career's website. Please use this link to apply: https://opportunities.columbia.edu/jobs/3dac9594-665f-4872-b56e-5c3fc11a10d3

The Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy (ISERP) is Columbia University’s research institute dedicated to the social sciences. ISERP pioneers research and integrates knowledge and methods across the social sciences. ISERP supports researchers, faculty, students, and social science research through research development, education and training programs, centers, programmatic initiatives and administrative support.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance for the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy (ISERP), the Business Officer will work closely with the administrative unit of the Institute to maintain, implement, and optimize standard business processes in accordance with University policies. The incumbent serves as the primary expense approver for the Institute's centers, projects, seed grants, workshops, research, personnel, operational and gift accounts.

Responsibilities

Personnel Supervision – 25%

• Supervises a full-time Accounts Payable Specialist.

Financial Processing & Approvals – 45%

• Verifies accuracy and approves journals, vouchers, and requisitions recorded in ARC and submitted into workflow for departmental approval for Accounts Payable, Procurement Requisitions, and Internal Transfers (ITFs).
• Reviews and approves Purchasing Card monthly reconciliations for multiple ISERP P-card holders.
• Serves as Initial Reviewer of reimbursement requests in Concur.
• Processes a high volume of salary distributions and cost transfers to ensure personnel are appropriately allocated to projects and prevent salaries from falling into payroll suspense and verifies transactions have made it through the approval process before deadlines.

Financial Management – 25%

• Researches and provides clear insight into the Institute's implementation of University processes to a multitude of peers across administrative departments, faculty, as well as collaborators and administrators at other institutions.
• Maintains and updates the ISERP Business Office web page with all pertinent University policy changes. Communicates to peer constituents all policy and procedural improvements as they occur.
• Interprets established University and Institute accounting and purchasing policies for faculty, staff, and students concerning travel and business expense reimbursements, invoices, requisitions, and service provider contracts.
• Resolves financial issues and prevents overdrafts.
• Researches and reconciles discrepancies and disagreements between external vendors, faculty, staff, and students regarding the status of their payment requests.
• Reviews financial reports and manages the reconciliation of accounts.
• Establishes and maintains good working relationships with the Faculty, University Offices, and colleagues in other departments, schools, institutes, and centers.
• Analyzes existing financial report formats and tracking tools, recommends improvements and updates according to policy changes.
• Provides support on special projects. Serves as the backup approver for grant-related payment and procurement requests.

Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned - 5%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent, plus a minimum of 2 years related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance preferred.
• Knowledge of University financial policies and systems.
• Relevant experience in financial administration.
• Previous experience managing staff and student employees.

-----------

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $58,500.00 - $71,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 2 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• New York, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person