Operational Accounting & Systems Manager

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Operational Accounting & Systems Manager reports to the Associate Director of Accounting and is a key member of the CSFA management team. This role directs, coaches, and provides hands-on guidance to the accounting team responsible for operational real estate accounting. The Operational Accounting & Systems Manager ensures strong internal controls and full compliance with GAAP, University and Campus Services accounting policies and applicable laws and regulations.
The role is also responsible for driving process improvement and efficiency through effective use of technology and automation. Success in this position requires strong leadership, independent judgment, critical analysis, clear communication, advanced technical accounting systems skills, and innovative problem solving. The Operational Accounting & Systems Manager successfully collaborates with a wide range of university partners, including (but not limited to) Harvard University Housing & Real Estate, CS Finance & Administration colleagues, and Information Technology, to address accounting, process, and system issues and align stakeholders.
This is a player–coach role: the manager will both lead the team and personally execute key deliverables.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience
• Progressive accounting and finance experience with a significant focus on real estate.
• Proven ability to quickly analyze and resolve complex accounting and system issues.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP.
• Robust command of financial and operational systems including Yardi.
• Demonstrated experience in data management, systems implementation, financial analysis, and business process redesign.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking skills, including analyzing complex information, identifying patterns and issues, and proposing practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills.
• People-first, coaching-oriented, and collaborative leader with strong communication and interpersonal skills who listens actively, builds rapport at all levels, demonstrates genuine care for employee well-being and work–life balance, provides clear feedback and direction, involves staff in decision-making where appropriate, empowers and delegates effectively, addresses performance and operational challenges proactively, and supports employee growth through ongoing coaching, development opportunities, and a focus on purpose and career progression.
• A proven leader of change and innovation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in real estate accounting, preferred.
• Relevant experience in Property Management Company, REIT, or large, diverse institution with substantial real estate portfolio, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Actively leads and is responsible for a team of operational accounting professionals, including hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, workload allocation, engagement, and ongoing coaching and feedback to ensure high-quality work, strong customer service, and an inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.
• Champions employee development by identifying skills gaps, creating targeted learning opportunities, and providing ongoing coaching and mentorship to build technical, analytical, and leadership capabilities across the team.
• Serves as an accounting subject matter expert on key financial systems (e.g., Yardi), partnering with the Associate Director of Accounting, CS HUIT, and business units to shape system strategy, optimize functionality, and resolve system-related accounting issues, while coaching team members to build redundancy and deepen cross-functional expertise.
• Under the direction of the Associate Director of Accounting, manages technology and automation strategies to enhance accounting processes, strengthen internal controls, and support system integrations and workflow improvements.
• Provides leadership for User Acceptance Testing and system implementations, collaborating with the Associate Director of Accounting, CS HUIT, and business units to resolve issues, mitigate risk, and ensure effective adoption and ongoing optimization.
• Manages and actively participates in the 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.
• Manages and independently performs complex accounting reconciliations and analysis, ensuring appropriate documentation, identifying variances, reconciling balances, and resolving accounting issues.
• Ensures that all aspects of the billing cycle are performed timely and accurately, closely collaborating with Campus Services and other university colleagues to achieve this goal.
• Oversees and contributes to daily accounting activities to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with policies and internal controls, while maintaining responsive, high-quality customer service.
• Manages the journal entry process for operational accounting reviewing journal entries. Prepares and processes journal entries, as needed.
• Ensures compliance with university internal controls by developing, reviewing, testing, and maintaining Campus Services accounting policies, processes, and procedures—including the integration of business applications with university enterprise systems—and collaborates with colleagues to continuously improve accounting practices and compliance with audit, disclosure, and regulatory requirements.
• Analyzes and interprets financial and accounting information, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure that timely, accurate, and professional customer service is provided to customers and the University community.
• Develop and maintain productive partnerships with colleagues and customers within the Harvard community.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager