Home > Projects > ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Contact: more information and apply

RESPONSIBILITIES:

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.

REQUIREMENTS:

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.