Controller and Director of Accounting and Financial Operations

The Controller is responsible for the strategic direction of accounting, payroll and control activities within the Office of Financial Services (OFS) at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS).  They will report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and assist in the four general areas of internal controls, operational management, compliance, and by participating in strategic planning discussions as a member of the senior leadership of the financial team. The successful candidate has a strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, has a passion for innovation and continuous improvement, and is a strong manager of people, able to navigate difficult conversations and support and develop a team with diverse skills and experience. We are a dedicated to building and fostering a diverse and inclusive team culture and we seek candidates who share this goal and will contribute to the excellence of our community.

Duties include:

• Works with finance colleagues at HKS and across the University to ensure high levels of customer service by providing professional, timely, and accurate financial services.
• Responsible for effective management of team of six HKS accounting Exempt and Non-Exempt staff including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Establishes and implementes short- and long-range organizational goals, strategic plans, policies and operating procedures.
• Develops implement and monitor accounting control processes and procedures that ensure compliance with University and HKS policies and procedures.
• Ensures accurate and timely financial reporting and adherence to GAAP, including quarterly and annual close reporting.
• Advises HKS leadership on all aspects of financial matters including regulatory and compliance issues.
• Collaborates with University-wide finance leadership to develop accounting processes, policies, procedures and systems.
• Manages administration of HKS payroll and accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense report and other reimbursement processing.  Establishes protocols to ensure Departments and Centers process financial transactions in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintains School’s chart of accounts.
• Actively represents HKS at the University level in development of new financial systems and reporting capabilities and designs and manages their local implementation

• Furnishes internal reports, revises and updates reports to be more useful and efficient as necessary.  Serves as a resource within HKS in the extraction of data and in the development of useful management reports
• Ensures financial compliance with University policy and procedures, audit and accounting disclosure requirements, and applicable legal rules and regulations.
• The Controller is part of a Finance Team of 15 and oversees a team of 6.
• The School's fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th.

Basic Qualifications:

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

Additional Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with Financial systems and data query tools, including the ability to adapt and implement new systems and applications.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and tax regulations.
• Experience building collaborative relationships and effective teams toward achieving common goals.
• Excellent communicator who is able establish clear direction, deliver difficult messages with grace, and encourage compliance and good citizenship.
• Effective manager who identifies, develops and promotes talents as well as addresses underperformance when needed.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced excel skills.
• Experience in fund accounting preferred.
• MBA or Master’s degree in relevant field preferred.

• CPA preferred.
• Strongest reputation for integrity, honest dealing and confidentiality.
• Orchestrates multiple activities simultaneously to get things done through both formal and informal channels
• Influences, persuades and negotiates effectively; Achieves consensus among multiple stakeholders and ability to navigate in a decentralized environment. Works well with people of varying levels of authority in multiple organizations.
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.