Senior Accounting Manager

Senior Accounting Manager – Campus Services Finance & Administration

Location: Cambridge, MA
Salary Grade: 059
Job Type: Full-time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Union Status: Non-Union, Exempt or Temporary
Appointment: No term appointment

About the Role: The Senior Accounting Manager reports to the Associate Director of Accounting and is a key member of the CSFA leadership team. This role provides oversight to the accounting teams responsible for real‑estate accounting and Campus Services‑wide accounting deliverables. The Manager ensures strong internal controls and full compliance with GAAP, University and Campus Services accounting policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.

The role also drives process improvement and efficiency through technology and automation.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities:

• Actively lead and manage a team of operational and financial accounting professionals, handling hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, workload allocation, engagement and coaching to ensure high‑quality work, strong customer service and an inclusive, collaborative environment.
• Champion employee development by identifying skills gaps, creating targeted learning opportunities and providing coaching and mentorship to build technical, analytical and leadership capabilities across the team.

• Serve as an accounting subject‑matter expert on key financial systems (e.g., Yardi), partnering with IT and business units to shape system strategy, optimize functionality and resolve system‑related accounting issues while coaching team members to build redundancy and cross‑functional expertise.
• Develop and execute technology and automation strategies to enhance accounting processes, strengthen internal controls and support system integrations and workflow improvements.
• Provide strategic leadership for User Acceptance Testing and system implementations, collaborating with CS HUIT and business units to resolve issues, mitigate risk and ensure effective adoption and ongoing optimization.

• Oversee complex accounting matters and analysis, conducting independent research and developing practical solutions while coaching employees to perform similar analysis and problem‑solving.
• Manage monthly, quarterly and annual close for a large, diverse real‑estate portfolio with significant assets and liabilities using a combination of University and Campus Services financial systems.
• Oversee daily transactional activities to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with policies and internal controls while maintaining responsive, high‑quality customer service.
• Direct fixed‑asset accounting, including capitalization guidance, impairment and disposals, monthly accounting and the bi‑annual physical inventory.
• Oversee the completion of Campus Services‑wide accounting deliverables, designing and implementing complex templates as needed to support accurate and efficient reporting.
• Ensure compliance with university internal controls by developing, reviewing, testing and maintaining Campus Services accounting policies, processes and procedures—including integration of business applications with university enterprise systems—and collaborate with university‑wide finance partners to continuously improve accounting practices and compliance with audit, disclosure and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze and interpret financial and accounting information, identify trends, risks and opportunities and translate insights into actionable strategies for leadership.

On‑campus presence is expected an average of approximately 2 days per week to promote face‑to‑face interaction with team members and clients. Remote work should be performed within Massachusetts or in compliance with Harvard's Out of State Employment Policy.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.

• CPA or MBA preferred.
• Progressive accounting and finance experience, with a significant…