Financial Analyst, IS-0501-9/11
Application Deadline: 19 October 2026
Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Cambridge, MA
Compensation: $69,905 - $109,959 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: October 14, 2026
CLOSING DATE: October 19, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: 0501/9/11
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Budget and Financial Analysis Services (BFS)
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.
SAO is unable to provide sponsorship for this position.
This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 11. Selection for this position will be made at the grade 9 level. Applicant may be noncompetitively promoted to grade 11 upon the supervisor's recommendation, based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, and the employee's qualifications.
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
SUMMARY
The purpose of the position is to provide comprehensive financial support, including analysis and reporting and provide accounting support. Additionally, the position serves as a resource to Observatory staff, providing guidance regarding the methods, techniques and policies that govern financial processes and reporting at SAO. This position will also support critical areas within the Budget and Financial Analysis Services and Business Operations Services Group and serve as a liaison to SAO Research Administration Services and Property & Procurement Department.
MAJOR DUTIES
Supports financial analysis and reporting function for various Institutional funding sources including federal appropriation, trust funds, direct and indirect activities related to federally sponsored and foundation awards, gift, endowment, discretionary funds, and business activities including Central Engineering Cost Center.
Assists in design and development of new financial reports and the layout improvement to existing reports, incorporating data composition enhancements, and utilizing data visualization techniques. Performs reconciliation and validation of data to ensure accuracy and integrity. As an integral part of the team, we actively participate in the year-end close-out process collaborating closely with members of both the Budget and Financial Analysis Services and the Business Operations group. Provides various support related to internal and external audit requests.
Supports the preparation and dissemination of guidance material to all Observatory staff, aiming to provide support, clarity, and explanation of significant regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and associated changes. Exhibits a comprehensive understanding of guidance outlined in the OMB circular 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), NSF and NASA proposal guidelines, and other financial policies and practices in support of sponsored research. Provides various support related to internal and external audit requests. As an integral part of the team, we actively participate in the year-end close-out process collaborating closely with members of both the Budget and Financial Analysis Services and the Business Operations group.
Financial Analysis & Reporting
Performs routine financial analyses to identify trends, variances, and anomalies. Prepare standardized financial reports, reconciliations, and summaries for supervisor review. Assists in monitoring obligations, expenditures, and available balances.
Budget Execution Support
Tracks commitments, obligations, and expenditures in automated financial systems. Reviews funding documents for accuracy and compliance with fiscal regulations. Assists in preparing spend plans and mid‑year reviews.
Internal Controls & Compliance
Conduct preliminary reviews of financial transactions for completeness and compliance. Assists in documenting internal control processes and participates in testing activities.
Financial Systems & Data Integrity
Enters, validates, and reconciles financial data in agency systems. Identifies routine data discrepancies and resolves them with guidance.
Advisory & Customer Support
Provides basic financial guidance to program staff regarding procedures, documentation, and timelines. Responds to routine inquiries and escalates complex issues.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications:
One year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the Grade 07 level, performing duties similar to those described above.
OR
Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or completion of all requirements for an LL.M degree from an accredited college or university.
OR
Combination of Experience and Education
Qualification standards can be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0500/financial-administration-and-program-series-0501/
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
- Professional and comprehensive knowledge of the policies, precedents, goals, objectives, regulations, and guidelines of a functional area such as financial oversight, budget formulation, and/or budget execution sufficient to analyze and evaluate continual changes in program plans and funding and their effect on financial and budget program milestones; and analyze financial and budgetary relationships to develop recommendations for financial and/or budgetary actions.
- Working knowledge of Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OMB circular 2 CFR 200, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), GAAP, SAO, and SI policies, processes, procedures, and regulations sufficient to issue instruction or guidance on financial matters affecting sponsored projects or division/department spending or reporting.
- Comprehensive knowledge of theories, regulations, current/revised guidance, management policies, and practices, including financial facets of SAO's sponsored projects awards, institutional (administrative and research) allotments, cost centers, federal budgets (one-year and no-year), endowments, and discretionary accounts.
- Knowledge of current requirements of financial interfaces with research sponsors. Knowledge of and skill in the use of enterprise financial information systems and other software tools and the ability to produce meaningful and accurate evaluations and concisely compiled financial analyses.
- Knowledge of standard business communication techniques is sufficient to analyze, articulate, and understand issues or concerns related to financial matters.
- Knowledge of the SAO and SI planning- programming-budgeting information systems to advise and support a variety of budgeting functions required to conduct SAO's wide variety of scientific research programs.
- General knowledge of the operations of scientific research programs of SAO divisions and of their budgetary restrictions and requirements.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact
hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s
Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an
Equal Opportunity Employer. To review the Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following:
https://www.si.edu/oeo 
