Senior Staff Accountant

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Finance of Harvard Global (HG) and working as part of a team with other members of Global Support Services, the Senior Staff Accountant for HG will be part of a team that enables academic entrepreneurship while mitigating the risks inherent in international financial operations. The Senior Staff Accountant will be responsible for preparing financial reports, such as balance sheets and income statements, supporting audits, monitoring internal controls, participating in the budgeting processes, and analyzing financial data for HG US and HG's international research centers.



Th e position requires communication, relationship management, research, and analytical skills to identify and assess various options and approaches to highly complex global financial compliances and regulations. HG maintains a general ledger and bank account separate from Harvard University; therefore, intercompany transitions present greater risk and require an advanced understanding of accounting principles to be successful in this role. The Senior Accountant will oversee financial r eporting and compliances and regularly evaluate and address costs, effectiveness , and customer satisfaction.



The Senior Staff Accountant will know University policies and work with local advisors to understand country-specific regulations to advise, support, and determine HG's processes, policies, and financial SOPs, working closely with GSS International Consultants and business operations teams, adjusting as needed based on client's requests while always maintaining high-quality service. The Senior Staff Account builds and maintains an excellent reputation for HG services and infrastructure through responsiveness to clients' needs and efficient and effective services.



The Senior Staff Account will supervise the day-to-day work of HG's Financial Analyst and assume the duties of the Associate Director of Finance during vacations and time off.

Position Description

Reporting/Compliance/Manage

• Assist with annual audits of Harvard Global entities
• Manage US and international payrolls, including monthly review, processing, and reconciliation.
• Perform complex monthly general ledger closeouts for HG, including the consolidation of HG entities, foreign currency conversions, and intercompany eliminations.
• Prepare all quarterly financial schedules for Harvard University Central Finance.
• Prepare and oversee posting all journal entries for accounts payable, payroll, billings, cash transactions, accruals, and cost transfers.
• Primary contact with Harvard Global's outsourced accounts payable to third-party administrators and Harvard Global clients daily.
• Responsible for HG board financial reporting

Oversee/Led

• Led the design and implementation of new business processes to meet the changing needs of Harvard Global and its clients.
• Manages HG's accounting record systems and procedures for tracking and reporting, including recommending remedial measures.
• Monitor key performance indicators with third-party administrators and clients.
• Oversee all grant accounting for Harvard Global while coordinating the activity with departments, OSP, and Schools Research Administrative Offices (SPAs)
• Oversee and may assist with processing invoices, vendor payments, and problem resolution.
• Oversee monthly service contract billings and collections, including the complex accounting of all intercompany transactions between HG and Harvard University.
• Review and produce financial data providing research and data analysis to present for use in planning and decision making. This includes ad hoc financial reporting and data queries.
• Train clients and colleagues on business processes and systems.

Assists as needed with Harvard Global correspondence and office management.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a preference to having an accounting qualification and at least five years' experience in accounting, finance, billings, or related fields, including some international finance experience. Must have advanced knowledge of internal controls and automated accounting systems. Must demonstrate proficiency with MS Office and the ability to learn and utilize numerous accounting systems.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Experience in an academic environment preferred. Must exhibit excellent communication and team interaction skills. Strong attention to detail and consistently exercising discretion, independent judgment, and initiative are required. Experience with Harvard University's general ledger is preferred. Knowledge and experience of accounting in multiple currencies with international consolidations is a plus. Strong customer service orientation. Exceptional ability to bridge gaps and problem-solve to reach flexible operational solutions that address the needs of diverse stakeholders. Must communicate effectively and persuasively and form productive alliances with faculty and administrators at all levels of the organization. Strong organizational, project management, and reporting skills. Must be able to balance conflicting priorities. Highly motivated. Experience handling confidential information with discretion. Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Visio. Foreign language proficiency is a plus.

Working Conditions

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines. This position offers a hybrid work schedule with 3 days in the office initially and then 2 days in the office after the O&R period.

Benefits

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