Temporary Senior Accounting/Financial Assistant
National Academy of Sciences • Full Time
Posted on Sat, Jun 27, 2026
Job Description Summary:
Performs a variety of routine accounting and financial functions in accordance with standard procedures. Reviews receipts and expenditures to ensure adherence to budget and/or other compliance requirements. Contacts departments and/or outside vendors to resolve problems. Inputs data and maintains databases. Reconciles monthly financial reports. Compiles regular and special statistical reports for internal and external customers. Maintains files and records. May work as a member of a program Finance Service Team to provide the financial services needed to a division and be a proactive member of an environment of collaboration, communication, and teamwork.Under general supervision, performs complex tasks requiring the consideration of multiple variables to determine proper course of action. While tasks are complex, most decision-making can be made within pre-determined approaches. Proceeds on own initiative in compliance with policies, procedures, and practices, but receives guidance or expertise from supervisor or higher-level staff when needed. May lead and provide functional guidance to lower level support and temporary employees.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Audits and reviews invoices, travel expense reports, and expenses, verifying cost-centers, signatures, computations, and receipts. Researches discrepancies and resolves problems. Responds to inquiries and assists customers with questions. Contacts customers regarding outstanding paperwork or documentation. Posts information to ledgers and processes payments. Prepares cost transfers. Initiates transfer of funds for executed contracts and amendments.
Receives and processes cash, credit, and check transaction payments, reconciles receipts, and prepares refunds as necessary. Posts information and compiles segments of monthly closings. Researches issues, answers inquiries, and resolves problems.
Runs reports from the PeopleSoft financial system and inputs/imports the data into Excel financial projections. Reconciles expenses from e-files into the projection template and inputs Labor Distribution Report data. Monitors project activity balances. Prepares routine reports to assist in processing paperwork and reviewing information. Produces exception reports by running statistical reports and comparing unit records to PeopleSoft records. Prepares required federal, sponsor, and private sponsor financial reports. Prepares ad hoc reports and checks report data to ensure there aren't problems or errors, checking for anomalies. Compiles financial data for managers. Coordinates the dissemination of information through queries and reports.
Initiates and tracks purchase orders for contracts, and goods and services. Reviews, tracks, and audits contract packages. Assists in the negotiation of purchase terms and discounts. Monitors vendor payments. Verifies and reviews calculations and method of payments, ensuring consistency with the type and funding of contracts. Monitors potential contract problems, spending limits, deliverables and reporting requirements. Prepares and tracks written requests to vendors who are delinquent in their responsibilities. Inform supervisor of contract problems.
Tracks licenses and maintenance agreements. Takes appropriate action pending maintenance, expiration, upgrade, and renewals.
Maintains unit financial system and related databases and records. Enters and files new awards and budgets in the financial system. Enters relevant data into the necessary subsystem(s) so expenses are correctly processed in the financial system.
Assists in the review and development of budgets and projections. Assist in year-end process, compiling reports and providing support to other financial staff. Provides research assistance to supervisor, compiling information on contract history, payments, and expenditures.
Assists with the implementation of new systems and procedures.
Serves as a resource to staff concerning routine financial matters. Assists in training new staff on financial and accounting rules. May provide work direction to accounting/financial assistants.
Maintains an appropriate standard of confidentiality. When handling secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information and matters, maintains strict confidence and exercises care to prevent disclosure to others. Accesses confidential information for work-related reasons only following the policies and procedures of the organization.
NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Related duties and special projects as assigned.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Basic knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping procedures and financial principles. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Ability to solve routine problems through selection and application of commonly used rules, procedures, and precedents. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.
Minimum Education/Training Requirements: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum Experience: Four years of related experience.
Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Supervisor/Manager. Supervisor is available to assist in problem resolution.
Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $30.11 - $37.63 per hour, plus potential overtime. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.
Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.
Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.
Job Family:
ACCT