Responsible for the strategic direction of accounting, budgeting and control activities within a school or unit. Enhance the control environment by establishing and monitoring effective processes and systems.
The Associate Director of Accounting reports to and backs up the Controller, serving as a key member of the CSFA team. This role leads and coordinates with university partners including but not limited to, Harvard University Housing & Real Estate, the Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Controller, CS Financial Planning & Analysis, Tax office, and Information Technology to address complex accounting issues and align stakeholders.
The Associate Director oversees internal controls, tax matters, and compliance with GAAP, University and CS policies, and all relevant regulations, while driving process efficiency through technology and automation. The role requires strong leadership, independent judgment, advanced technical accounting and accounting system skills, clear communication, and innovative problem solving.
The Associate Director leads and directs the teams responsible for real estate accounting, real estate tax, and Campus-wide accounting deliverables, and provides cross-functional leadership to other accounting areas to ensure continuity, consistency, and excellence across all financial operations.
Job-Specific 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.
Working Conditions:
This position is expected to have an on-campus presence an average of approximately 2 days per week to promote face to face interaction with team members and clients. Any remote work should be performed in Massachusetts or in compliance with Harvard’s Out of State Employment Policy.
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in relevant field or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience
- Supervisory experience
Additional Qualifications:
- CPA or MBA preferred.
- Progressive accounting and finance experience, with a significant focus on real estate.
- A proven people leader with at least 5 years of management experience preferred
- Real estate accounting experience required; experience within a Property Management Company, REIT, or large, diverse institution with substantial real estate portfolio preferred.
- 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.
Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit, CORI, References
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Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
