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Harvard University · 1 day ago

Associate Director of Accounting

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

10+ years exp

Harvard University is a vibrant community dedicated to advancing its world-changing mission. The Associate Director of Accounting is responsible for the strategic direction of accounting, budgeting, and control activities within a school or unit, leading a team to enhance internal controls and compliance with relevant regulations.

EducationHigher EducationUniversities

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

Responsibilities

Provides strategic direction, coaching, and performance management ensuring a high level of customer service and quality work

Regularly reviews team structure and workflows to ensure that activities are value-added, strategically aligned with organizational priorities, and focused on the highest-impact work

Provides leadership and oversight on complex financial accounting matters and analyses, partnering with key representatives across the university to evaluate and resolve issues efficiently and within tight timeframes

Leads the development and drafting of Campus Services–wide accounting and internal control communications

Leads a team responsible for the full spectrum of accounting operations, including but not limited to: monthly, quarterly, and annual close for a large and complex portfolio; accurate and timely daily transactional processing (e.g., journal entries, invoicing, and billing); fixed asset administration (capitalization guidance, analysis and impairment, disposals, monthly accounting, and bi-annual physical inventory); and specialized complex accounting and financial analysis

Provides oversite for a variety of tax matters including oversight for a complex real estate portfolio spanning multiple jurisdictions and continuous review and updating of business practices that ensure adherence to federal, state and local tax policies

Develops and manages policies, controls, and processes to address the specialized financial activities within Campus Services, ensure compliance with University-wide control requirements, and effectively govern the financial intersections between Campus Services–owned and managed business applications and enterprise systems, including periodic testing and updating of local accounting policies and procedures in collaboration with central offices

Leads the creation and execution of training initiatives

Provide strategic leadership as the accounting subject matter expert for key financial systems (e.g., Yardi), partnering with IT, business units, and senior stakeholders to define system strategy, maximize utilization, and proactively identify and resolve system-related accounting matters

Champion the use of technology and automation to transform accounting processes and strengthen internal controls by driving automation initiatives, redesigning workflows, defining accounting and process requirements for technical solutions, and leading participation in system integrations

Play a leadership role in User Acceptance Testing and system implementations, collaborating closely with business units, CS HUIT, and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement, resolve technology-related issues, and ensure seamless process optimization and adoption

Qualification

CPAReal estate accountingGAAPFinancial analysisEnterprise resource planningCoachingLeadershipCommunicationCollaboration

Required

Master's degree in relevant field or equivalent work experience required

Minimum of 10 years' relevant work experience

Supervisory experience

Real estate accounting experience required

Demonstrated ability to independently own complex new deliverables from inception to completion, providing effective leadership, engaging cross-functional stakeholders, conducting necessary research and analysis, resolving issues, and ensuring high-quality execution in a timely manner in collaboration with the broader team

Demonstrated ability to quickly analyze and resolve complex accounting matters

Strong working knowledge of GAAP

Strong command of enterprise resource planning and financial and operational systems

Experience in data management, systems implementation, financial analysis, and redesign of business processes required

People-first leader with strong communication and interpersonal skills, who listens actively, builds rapport at all levels, and demonstrates empathy and care for employee well-being and work–life balance

Coaching-oriented manager who provides clear feedback, sets goals, addresses challenges, and supports employee growth through ongoing guidance, development, and a focus on purpose and career progression

Collaborative and adaptable leader who involves employees in decision-making where possible, empowers and delegates effectively, and adjusts style to meet the needs of different individuals and situations