Business Services Specialist, Boston University Libraries (Boston, MA)

Posted September 10, 2025

Job Description

The Boston University Libraries seek a Business Services Specialist to support the library’s financial and administrative operations by managing vendor payments, payroll processing, expense reporting, and student employment systems. This role ensures accuracy and compliance across financial transactions, maintains up-to-date records and reports, and provides training and guidance to staff on university systems and policies. The Business Services Specialist collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues, improve workflows, and support budget management.

The Business Services Specialist will:

• Process orders and vendor payments for BU Libraries, ensuring invoices have proper approvals, are accurate, and include necessary documentation. Remit payments both within and outside of Ariba, the University’s ordering system, maintaining accurate records in BU’s SAP accounting system, SAC. Collaborate with vendors, BU Payment Services, and Library staff to resolve payment issues. Maintain financial data that is accurate, current, and aligned with the library’s accounting practices, reconciling posted and pending transactions. Track, reconcile, and analyze order and contract data. Maintain regular financial reporting in support of budget management activities. 
• Oversee the timesheet process in SAP for hourly staff and student employees, ensuring submissions are accurate, properly coded, and approved on time. Communicate payroll schedules, reviews timesheets for compliance with University policies and collective bargaining agreements, and processes corrections as needed. Collaborate with the Director of Finance and other stakeholders to resolve any issues. Provide support to managers and supervisors for payroll procedures, roles, and responsibilities. 
•  Support library staff in using BU’s JobX student employment systems by providing training, guidance, and resources. Serve as the primary liaison to the Student Employment Office and share updates with Libraries student employee supervisors. Develop local workflows, process guides, and a knowledge base tailored to Libraries’ practices. Track student employment spending, identify discrepancies, and ensure accurate payroll accounting and timely resolution of funding adjustments.
• Review Concur expense reports to ensure accuracy, proper coding, and compliance with University and local policies and practices. Support staff with expense submissions, develop training materials, and onboard new professional staff to the system. Collaborate with the Director of Finance to create reports and track spending trends and encumbrances. Flag anomalies and escalates issues as needed.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Familiarity with systems used by Boston University, including ordering and vendor management system Ariba, SAP, SAP accounting system SAC, employee expense report system Concur, and student employment system JobX.

Full-time/Regular, salary grade 48.

How to Apply

For consideration, please submit a cover letter, CV, and list of professional references here. This position will remain open until filled.