Finance Operations Specialist

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounts payable, including manual invoice intake, verification, and tracking
• Process researcher travel and expense reports to ensure accurate reimbursements via payroll
• Maintain a Vendor Master File with W-9s and banking instructions to ensure payment accuracy
• Perform variance analysis by comparing planned spend against actual spend in monthly financial spreadsheets
• Calculate and provide monthly cash runway reports to provide leadership with visibility into cash flow
• Research and coordinate the establishment of business banking accounts and credit card administration
• Build and maintain an organized digital repository for all vendor contracts and financial agreements

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 2–4 years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or finance operations
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel or Google Sheets
• Proven experience with basic accounting, invoicing, and expense management
• Extreme attention to detail and high integrity when handling confidential financial data

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a startup or research lab environment
• Familiarity with modern banking platforms such as Brex or Mercury
• Proficiency with communication tools like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams
• A proactive and resourceful mindset with the ability to build manual processes from the ground up

About the Company

The Institute of Foundation Models is a dedicated research lab focused on building, understanding, using, and risk-managing foundation models. We aim to advance AI research, nurture the next generation of builders, and drive transformative contributions to a knowledge-driven economy.