Finance Operations Associate

The Finance Operations Associate supports the day-to-day financial operations, with a primary focus on accounts payable. Responsible for ensuring transactions are processed accurately, timely, and with a high attention to detail.  Serving as the key point of contact for internal stakeholders, helping to resolve questions, process payments, and maintain the integrity of financial data in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Specific Duties:

• Processes accounts payable transactions, including check requests and expense reimbursements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Manages vendor setup and maintains accurate records in financial systems.
• Executes weekly payment processes, including domestic and international payments.
• Monitors and resolves payment issues, including returned payments, uncashed checks, and payment status inquiries.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for internal stakeholders, responding to inquiries and resolving Finance-related tickets in a timely manner.
• Maintains organized financial records and supports audit and reconciliation processes.
• Collaborates with the Finance team to improve processes and enhance overall service delivery.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
• 1-2 years of work experience with accounting principles and financial regulations.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain financial policies and procedures to non-financial staff.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office.
• Detail focused and adept at managing multiple tasks simultaneously, thriving in a dynamic and mission driven environment.

Employee Benefits Review

Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Mercatus provides excellent benefits to all individual employees, including full health and dental coverage, unlimited paid time off, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, parking/travel benefits, and twelve free credits per year at George Mason University.

EEO Statement

Mercatus Center at George Mason University is an Equal Opportunity employer of qualified individuals and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  Mercatus Center also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of the protected categories.

E-Verify

Mercatus participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Mercatus is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.