Senior Accounting & Systems Specialist

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Campus Services provides essential services to the Harvard community. The 14 Campus Services departments have approximately 1,800 active employees (70% of staff are represented by eight unions) and a combined annual budget of more than $700 million. These departments provide stewardship, strategic support, and client/customer services in the areas of buildings and facilities, graduate housing, capital projects, sustainability, parking, engineering and utilities, dining, hospitality and events management, and international support.

The Campus Services Finance & Administration Department (CSFA) provides accounting, financial analysis, budgeting and planning, taxes and financial administrative support services to the Campus Services business units and the customers they serve. The organization is comprised of two main functions:
Controller’s Office (Accounting Operations) and Financial Planning and Analysis.

As a vital member of the CSFA team, the Senior Accounting & Systems Specialist reports to the Operational Accounting & Systems Manager and contributes significantly to the execution of financial and accounting operations within the CS Operating Unit. This role is primarily responsible for supporting accounting functions, implementing efficient processes leveraging technology and automation, and maintaining robust internal control. The Senior Accounting & Systems Specialist collaborates with a team of professionals, handling day-to-day responsibilities such as Campus Services operational accounting, billing and accounts receivable, and reconciliation, while proactively driving process enhancements.

They uphold and continuously improve internal controls and ensuring adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), University and CS-specific accounting and financial policies, and applicable federal and state regulations. This position emphasizes independence, critical analysis, strong communication, technical accounting system skill, and innovative problem-solving to ensure operational excellence and compliance in all aspects of accounting.

• Under the direction of the Operational Accounting & Systems Manager, serves as an accounting subject matter expert on key financial systems (e.g., Yardi, etc..), collaborating with IT, business units, and colleagues to optimize utilization, identify and resolve system accounting issues.
• Leverage technology and automation to drive enhancements in accounting processes and strengthen internal controls by proactively identifying automation opportunities, mapping and improving workflows, providing accounting and process requirements for technical solutions, and participating in system integrations.
• Participates in User Acceptance Testing and system implementations, collaborating closely with business units, HUIT, and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement, resolve technology-related issues, and ensure seamless process optimization and adoption.

• Serves as an expert accounting resource for CSFA colleagues and Campus Services Business Units, providing guidance and training on accounting policies, internal control procedures, and financial systems; develop and write job aids as needed to enhance team expertise.
  • Act as the lead contact for Harvard University Housing and Real Estate in his/her area of accounting responsibilities.
• Propose and implement improvements in accounting operations and financial reporting, collaborating with CSFA colleagues, Campus Services Business Units, and leadership while ensuring compliance with policies, laws, regulations, and best practices. Actively contribute to a process…