Financial Assistant

Position Summary

The Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) is a leading center for the study of the culture, history, and politics of the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. Our faculty of distinguished scholars and outstanding teachers represents some of the most innovative and influential figures in their fields. Our approach to learning stresses a knowledge of languages and intellectual traditions, but the subjects we explore cover a range of fields from literature and the history of ideas to contemporary history and politics.

Reporting to the Director of Academic Administration and Finance (DAAF), the Financial Assistant provides administrative and finance support for the department.

Responsibilities

Reviews and processes invoices from internal vendors and external suppliers and prepares service contracts.
Oversees maintenance and repair of office equipment, monitors inventory, and orders office supplies.
Initiates routine work orders to facilities management as needed.
Coordinates payment of hotel bills and travel reimbursements for conference attendees and processes check requests and online travel expense reports.
Reconciles departmental purchasing cards on a monthly basis to ensure accurate distribution of costs.
Serves as the point person for inquiries from faculty and students and conveys routine and complex information regarding University and Arts & Sciences financial programs, procedures, and regulations, working with the Business Manager to ensure compliance.
Reconciles vendor payments, checks for duplicate payments, reviews processed invoices to validate account distribution, and carries out other analyses and reconciliations as directed.
Resolves any processing issues with vendors, managers, and central Procurement.
Assists the Business Manager with monthly account reconciliation, fiscal year closing, monitoring faculty research and other departmental accounts to avoid overspending, and producing financial reports and budgets for the Chair and DAAF as needed.
Hires and processes payroll for student casual and work-study employees.
Updates the Departmental Webpage and coordinates social media publicity.
Assists the Director of Undergraduate Studies with the publication of the Departmental Newsletter.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent.
Three years of related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of Columbia University's accounting systems (ARC) and reports.
Some college preferred.