Senior Staff Accountant

Harvard University Kennedy School, United States

Updated: almost 3 years ago
Location: Cambridge, MASSACHUSETTS
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

The Senior Staff Accountant is responsible for assisting financial leadership for Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Executive Education (Exec Ed) by performing a broad range of financial activities which include:


  • Monthly Close
  • Reconciliation
  • Reporting
  • Faculty Compensation
  • Compliance


    This position works very closely with the Office for Financial Services (OFS), the central finance department for HKS, and with the Senior Director of Finance within Exec Ed. Serves as a key resource for staff for various accounting and financial operations-related activities, and participates in the annual budget process.


    Provide a high level of customer service by providing professional, timely, and accurate support to internal and external clients. Research and analyze issues as they arise and recommend solutions. More specific responsibilities include:


    Monthly & Year-end Close

  • Lead the monthly and year-end close, including ownership over all related processes and procedures, coordination with OFS to meet deadlines, issuing a schedule of activities, and maintaining all necessary backup documentation
  • Prepare journal entries


    Reconciling & Reporting

  • Lead the reconciliation process for all administrative units and programs, including programs funded by complex revenue streams; tuition, endowments, gifts, or grants
  • Follow up on items such as re-classing miscoded entries, accruing material expenses, reconciling balance sheet items, and investigating issues that are discovered
  • Coordinate with OFS to ensure all deadlines are met and all required financial submissions are completed
  • Maintain and execute a schedule of recurring period close activities, as well as other financial schedules and reports to be used by Exec Ed leadership for strategic decision making
  • Ensure all data is captured and reported accurately with strong attention to details


    Faculty Compensation

  • Review program schedules, faculty class summaries, and update the faculty compensation database.
  • Prepare faculty compensation contracts, and monitor payment schedules.

  • Work closely with OFS and HR to determine faculty employment statuses and manage the I-9 process by collecting and verifying the required documents.
  • Become a power user in the PeopleSoft payroll system, and a subject matter expert on faculty compensation guidelines. Ensure that faculty payments are made in a timely fashion, at the completion of each program
  • Review faculty compensation exceptions in close coordination with the HKS Academic Dean's Office (ADO), and document appropriately

    Compliance

  • Maintain compliance with existing financial policies to ensure control and compliance as established by GAAP, Harvard University (HU), and HKS
  • Play a key role in periodic departmental audits
  • Make recommendations for changes in processes and communicate effectively with the Senior Director of Finance when significant issues arise
    Budget
  • Participate in the annual budget process for all program and administrative budgets, specifically providing guidance regarding faculty compensation
  • Assist the Finance Manager with the budget submission through the BUDDY system
    Accounts Payable
  • Review and approve accounts payable up to $5K, including but not limited to; employee & non-employee reimbursements, corporate & purchasing card payments, vendor set-up requests, vendor invoices, faculty compensation, and tuition refunds.
  • Research and follow-up on any missing or late payment inquiries.
  • Assist the Finance Manager with departmental trainings on all applicable school and University payment policies, specifically the University's travel policy.


    We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
    Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
    Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

    Please note: During the current period of Covid-19 related restrictions, this position may start as a remote position, with transition to onsite in Cambridge, Massachusetts when the office reopens.

    We continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 and lifting of restrictions. We appre ciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process. We will be conducting interviews virtually for selected candidates until further notice.

    Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University's COVID vaccination requirement and exceptions may be found at the University's


  • Bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent work experience required
  • At least 3 years of accounting experience
  • Intermediate to expert user of Excel, including macros and pivot tables


  • Strong financial, managerial accounting and management skills needed
  • Strong understanding of GAAP
  • Strong analytical skills and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment to achieve agreed-upon objectives.
  • Proven ability to handle sensitive data with discretion, creatively solve accounting problems, generate new and improved accounting processes, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Comprehensive understanding of Harvard University financial processes, chart of accounts, and supporting tools not required, but is a plus.


    EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


    • Internal Number: 54856BR

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