• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $58,500 - $71,500

Position Summary

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. The Business Officer will be responsible for day-to-day approvals, including Accounts Payable vouchers, Procurement requisitions,  journals, and Purchasing Cards in Accounting and Reporting at Columbia (ARC), the University's system of financial records. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for entering payroll transactions into People@Columbia (PAC), the University’s Human Resources system.

Subject to business needs, we may support flexible and hybrid work arrangements. Options will be discussed during the interview process.

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.

Positon-Specific Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to read and interpret financial statements.
• Must be able to interpret accounting and purchasing policies for staff, faculty, and students, as well as internal and external vendors, researchers, and their staff at other institutions.
• Must be computer literate and ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Must have the ability to identify and resolve problems promptly, to work well in group problem-solving situations, and to share expertise.
• Manages difficult situations, responds promptly to the needs of constituents, and solicits feedback to improve service.
• Communicates professionally and persuasively and responds well to questions.
• Has the ability to build morale and group commitments to objectives and supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Tactfully approaches others, reacts well under pressure, and follows through on commitments.
• Must have the ability to respond to time-sensitive requests and work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume to be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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