Duke University:
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Be You. At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the
Finance Coordinator (Staff Accountant), you will serve as the front‑line point of contact for financial activities supporting University Institutes and Centers (UICs) and other Academic Support units within Provost Academic Support (PAS). In this highly visible role, you’ll partner closely with finance and human resource professionals to ensure academic support units operate as a model of excellence—allocating and expending resources in accordance with University policy while delivering exceptional customer service to faculty, staff, and campus partners. This is a full‑time, exempt position with occasional on‑campus presence required.
Be Bold. This role is ideal for a finance professional who enjoys solving problems, navigating complex systems, and serving as a trusted advisor. You’ll triage and escalate financial matters, interpret policy, and help others succeed by providing guidance, training, and timely solutions in a fast‑paced academic environment.
What You’ll Do General Financial Support (30%) - Serve as a procurement expert for assigned units, advising on the most appropriate purchasing mechanisms
- Review and approve journal vouchers, corporate card transactions, and high‑dollar procurement items
- Prepare balance, projection, and variance reports for financial managers and UIC leadership
- Maintain and distribute endowment reports for all UICs
- Assist with annual budget preparation and monitoring activities
- Perform periodic corporate card audits and report findings to leadership
- Train faculty and staff on financial systems and procedures, including travel, reimbursement, and corporate cards
- Field questions and provide guidance on best practices related to ETRs, APs, IRI, Buy@Duke, SAP R/3, and related systems
- Monitor and resolve stalled workflow items
- Run monthly CAS reports and communicate findings to impacted units
- Oversee the UIC corporate card program, liaising with Card Services and departments on compliance, limits, and timeliness
Month‑End Close & Reporting (25%) - Complete month‑end close procedures, including reconciliations for assigned BFRs
- Review overdrafts, CAS compliance, and delinquent items; report write‑offs or interest charges to the Finance Director
- Review and distribute problem invoice reports
- Serve as a reconciliation tool expert and conduct periodic departmental audits
- Prepare analytical and narrative reports for assigned endowments
- Prepare the annual Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) report
Security Administration & Workflow Management (15%) - Coordinate and administer SAP R/3 workflows and related administrative systems (AP, Travel, Buy@Duke)
- Process and oversee security permissions and workflow setup
- Review and process cost center and BFR add/change/block requests
Student Programs Oversight (25%) - Support compensatory and non‑compensatory payroll for undergraduate and graduate summer programs
- Assist with program setup and collaborate with Payroll to determine appropriate payroll types
- Manage administrative activities for signature programs such as Data+, partnering with program staff, Payroll, and OIT
- Direct staff on payroll‑related elements tied to student programs
General Administrative Support (5%) - Order and maintain office supplies and coordinate maintenance requests
- Perform occasional courier services on campus
- Complete I‑9 verification for student hires
- Assist with dossier preparation and MOU logging, as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
What You Bring Education - Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a directly related field
- Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
Experience - At least two years of experience in an accounting or financial setting
- Experience working with financial systems and resolving complex accounting issues
- Familiarity with accepted accounting practices and compliance requirements
Preferred Skills & Qualifications - Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
- Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively across all organizational levels and influence outcomes
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
- Experience with Duke@Work, SAP, and other enterprise financial systems
Choose Duke. At Duke University, you’ll find more than a job—you’ll find a community committed to excellence, collaboration, and belonging. This role offers the opportunity to build deep expertise in university finance while supporting programs that advance Duke’s academic mission. Duke offers:
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
- Robust medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement plans with generous employer contributions
- Generous paid time off and university holidays
- Professional development and tuition assistance programs
- A collaborative, mission‑driven campus culture
At Duke, your work matters—and your growth does too.
Ready to Make a Difference? Apply today through the Duke University Careers portal and help support the financial excellence that powers Duke’s academic community.
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $48,022.00 to USD $69,569.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information andreasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).
