Independently perform a variety of accounting activities including: posting journal entries, reconciling accounts, and preparing reports. As a vital member of the CSFA team, the Senior Accounting & Compliance Specialist reports to the Senior Accounting Manager and contributes significantly to the execution of financial and accounting operations within the CS Operating Unit. This role is primarily responsible for supporting accounting functions, implementing efficient processes leveraging technology and automation, and maintaining robust internal control. The Senior Accounting & Compliance Specialist collaborates with a team of professionals, handling day-to-day responsibilities such as Campus Services general ledger accounting, billing and accounts receivable, and reconciliation, while proactively driving process enhancements. They play an essential role in University Issued Card, Chart of Account, and System Access Administration. They uphold and continuously improve internal controls and ensuring adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), University and CS-specific accounting and financial policies, and applicable federal and state regulations. This position emphasizes independence, critical analysis, strong communication, technical accounting system skill, and innovative problem-solving to ensure operational excellence and compliance in all aspects of accounting.
Job-Specific Responsibilities
Technology & Automation
- Serve as an accounting subject matter expert on key financial systems (e.g., TripleSeat, Agilysys, etc..), collaborating with IT, business units, and colleagues to optimize utilization, identify and resolve system accounting issues.
- Leverage technology and automation to drive enhancements in accounting processes and strengthen internal controls by proactively identifying automation opportunities, mapping and improving workflows, providing accounting and process requirements for technical solutions, and participating in system integrations.
- Participate in User Acceptance Testing and system implementations, collaborating closely with business units, CS HUIT, and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement, resolve technology-related issues, and ensure seamless process optimization and adoption.
Accounting & Internal Control
- Serve as an expert accounting resource for CSFA colleagues and Campus Services Business Units, providing guidance and training on accounting policies, internal control procedures, and financial systems; develop and write job aids as needed to enhance team expertise.
- Act as the lead contact for Harvard University Dining Services in his/her area of accounting responsibilities.
- Propose and implement improvements in accounting operations and financial reporting, collaborating with CSFA colleagues, Campus Services Business Units, and leadership while ensuring compliance with policies, laws, regulations, and best practices. Actively contribute to a process improvement subcommittee.
- Use critical thinking to prepare, approve, and review journal entries in accordance with Campus Services and University policies and key controls, ensuring all entries meet accuracy, documentation, and reperformance standards.
- Perform daily, monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial closings independently, applying critical thinking and professional skepticism to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established deadlines and standards, leveraging off of automation and using critical thinking to independently resolve exceptions.
- Ensure all aspects of the billing cycle (e.g.: recording revenue, billing, and receipt processing) are performed timely and accurately, closely collaborating with Campus Services and other university colleagues to achieve this goal.
- Independently perform complex accounting reconciliations and analysis, ensuring all supporting documentation is complete, identifying and resolving variances, and independently resolving accounting issues in collaboration with colleagues within Campus Services and across the university as warranted. Designs templates for reconciliation.
- Independently identify and resolve accounting issues, leveraging strong analytical skills and collaborating effectively as necessary.
- Provides guidance and leadership in key areas including:
- CARD Administration
- Serves as the Campus Services CARD (PCARD, Corporate, and Department Card) subject matter expert, acting as a liaison between central administration and Campus Services and providing guidance to Campus Service departments to help maintain compliance with university policy.
- Member of CS PCard working groups and support ongoing development of additional CS PCard Initiatives.
- Prepares ad hoc reports.
- Chart of Account Administration
- Maintain the Campus Services Chart of Accounts (COA) in accordance with Harvard University policy.
- Provide guidance to CSFA team members on the proper COA structure.
- System access administration
- Review access requests for Campus Services financial systems, ensuring compliance with university policy.
- Participates in the annual review of system access for Harvard University and Campus Service financial systems which involves identifying the systems, designing templates, reconciling access data against HR data, coordinating with Business Units to resolve exceptions, and removing access when warranted.
Other Responsibilities
- Prepare ad-hoc reports for management and internal customers, using expertise in accounting data analysis to support decision-making.
- Serve as backup for critical activities and cross-train with other team members, ensuring strong business continuity and team support.
- Other duties as assigned to support CSFA鈥檚 mission and adapt to evolving business needs.
Working Conditions
This position is expected to have an on-campus presence an average of approximately 2 days per week to promote face to face interaction with team members and clients. Any remote work should be performed in Massachusetts or in compliance with Harvard鈥檚 Out of State Employment Policy.