Cost Analyst

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Financial Administration (FAD) is dedicated to advancing Harvard University’s teaching and research mission by stewarding its resources; providing support, guidance, and consultation; ensuring compliance with university and federal guidelines; mitigating risk; pursuing operational excellence; and promoting the financial health of the University.

More about FAD: 
Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change. 

Within our own community, we aspire to: 

• Engage with respect, honesty, and integrity  
• Cultivate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging  
• Welcome innovation, collaboration, and flexibility  
• Enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary

Learn more about Financial Administration (harvard.edu) and our eight reporting units. (https://finance.harvard.edu/)

Job Summary:

The Office for Sponsored Programs is a department within Harvard University’s Financial Administration (FAD) that is focused on providing high-quality administrative and financial assistance to faculty and other University affiliates performing sponsored research. OSP works with researchers and schools across Harvard to help obtain and negotiate awards from sponsoring agencies, assist with grant proposal preparation, ensure compliance with federal regulations and University policies, provide financial support including financial reporting and billing and collection services, assist with audits, and promote knowledge of sponsored research administration throughout the University research community through training and other educational programs. 

The Cost Analyst position supports Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) cost accounting activities by coordinating data collection and performing analysis and reporting on financial and operational data related to the Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost proposal, space utilization, service center operations, and cost sharing. Ensures data accuracy, produces reliable reports, and supports senior staff in cost allocation, compliance monitoring, and rate development processes.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Perform data validation and scrubbing of research base data, including sponsored and non-sponsored activity, to ensure accuracy and completeness for F&A cost proposal development and related analyses.
• Support space survey processes by coordinating data collection with departments, validating submissions, and producing reports for analysis of space utilization and research density.
• Develop and maintain recurring and ad hoc reports related to space utilization, research activity, cost allocation, and financial performance.
• Create, update, and maintain financial and operational reports used to monitor sponsored activity, including budget-to-actual comparisons, spending trends and forecasts, proposal and award trends, and identification of underspent, overspent, or unreconciled accounts.
• Monitor key compliance areas through ongoing reporting and review, including cost sharing, effort commitments, equipment purchases, and invalid code combinations to ensure accurate, complete, and compliant accounting.
• Support service center rate analysis by preparing supporting data, performing variance analysis, generating internal billing reports, and assisting with midyear reviews and external usage analysis to ensure alignment with rate assumptions.
• Serve as a point of contact for sponsored capital equipment, coordinating with FAS equipment managers to support tracking, reporting, and compliance.
• Prepare documentation and supporting schedules for internal and external reporting requirements, including audit and compliance reviews.
• Communicate reporting results, compliance observations, and data insights to departments, centers, and FAS leadership, including faculty and administrative staff.

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

For consideration, please include a cover letter.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience.

• Foundational knowledge of accounting, finance, or data analysis.

• Basic understanding of financial reporting and cost allocation concepts.

• Ability to work with large datasets and ensure data accuracy.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following 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.

• Strong data analysis and reporting skills (advanced Excel or similar tools).

• Ability to organize and validate large datasets.

• Attention to detail and data accuracy.

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.

• Ability to translate data into clear reports and insights.

• Time management and ability to meet deadlines.

• Basic understanding of financial systems and reporting tools.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

• Working Conditions: Primarily remote role with flexibility to work on-site and optional in-person meetings bi-monthly. On-site attendance expectations may evolve based on business needs.
• 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
• Other Information:
  • This position has a 90 day orientation and review period

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. 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 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• 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. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.