Position Description

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Controller is essential in overseeing the integrity and efficiency of financial operations in HUIT. This role will lead the Finance Operations and Accounting team and collaborate closely with the COO, the Director of IT Financial Strategy and Planning, and HUIT senior management to support strategic decision-making. The Controller will manage financial reporting, billing, accounting practices, and operational control activities within HUIT, including tax, insurance, and compliance with governmental regulations. Additionally, this position is responsible for ensuring adherence to financial regulations and standards and implementing procedures, processes, and systems to enhance the control environment in the organization.

Core Duties

Leadership and Staff Management

• Responsible for control activities within HUIT, including accounting, billing, and reporting.
• Direct and provide strong leadership to the areas reporting to the Controller, including Accounting, Billing, Procurement, Travel Reimbursement, and Audit and Compliance.
• Responsible for effective staff management, including hiring and onboarding, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop the staff into a collaborative team whose focus is on serving internal and external customers.
• Create a best-practice driven organization and improve process efficiency.
• Lead and promote a customer service environment in the Controller?s area by providing service to multiple constituents.
• Advise leadership on all aspects of financial matters including regulatory and compliance issues. Analyze and interpret trends requiring senior leadership?s attention.

Reporting and Analysis

• Ensure HUIT?s financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, timeliness and security of HUIT?s financial records and accounting.
• Collaborate with the Financial Planning and Analysis team on creating a monthly senior management report and overseeing the creation and dissemination of other internal periodic reports. Including a thorough presentation of findings and specific recommendations.

Financial and Operational Policies

• Maintain a strong internal control environment by ensuring compliance with existing HUIT and University-wide policies, and by developing/collaborating on new HUIT and University-wide policies and procedures.
• Ensure financial compliance with University policies and procedures, audit and accounting disclosure requirements, and applicable legal rules and regulations.
• Create mechanisms for disseminating and training the HUIT community on policies and procedures.

Accounting Function and Procedures

• Understand and direct the maintenance of Harvard and HUIT?s chart of accounts and oversee the provision of authorized access to chart values.
• Oversee and manage the process for creating, reviewing, and approving journal entries.
• Oversee and manage the financial month-end and year-end close process and deadlines.
• Ensure HUIT is prepared for annual and interim audits from internal and external professional firms/agencies. Coordinates interactions with external auditors.
• Respond to the Central Administration for information related to the Controller?s area and perform quarterly flux analyses.
• Own HUIT billing operations for fee-for-service offerings, including systems and customer rate development and oversees the procurement process, from policy to shopping to approving to audit, for the HUIT organization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree in Accounting or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 10 years? relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Required:

• Leadership experience in a customer service environment with multiple stakeholders.
• CPA or similar previous Controller experience required.
• In-depth understanding of GAAP, regulatory requirements, and reporting as they relate to a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of the monitoring and audit functions relating to compliance with systems of internal control.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced excel skills.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and tax regulations.
• Demonstrated experience with financial systems and data query tools.

Preferred:

• MBA or Master?s degree in relevant field.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.?
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.?
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

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.

Accessibility:
Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
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, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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