Accounting and Business Operations Manager

Accounting And Business Operations Manager By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard's undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard's Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience. Job Summary: Independently perform complex financial administration including budget development, financial analysis, and consultation. Provide recommendations for the use of financial resources. The Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (HSCRB) is seeking an Accounting and Business Operations (ABO) Manager to support and lead in critical department financial and business operations. In addition to advanced skills and knowledge of financial and business policies, best practices, and platforms, the ideal ABO Manager will have a strong commitment to service leadership, to team and community building, and to providing best possible customer service. Working with ABO team members, other HSCRB staff, and administrative peers across campus, the ABO Manager is key to achieving department goal of improving human health. The ABO Manger position is an excellent opportunity for someone looking grow their technical and leadership skills, mentor a team to success, and support new scientific discoveries and the development of new biomedical therapies. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Reporting to the Senior Financial Officer, the ABO Manager is responsible for the comprehensive financial operation of a large research and teaching department overseeing the success of research-focused financial accounting and procurement functions, service center financials, as well as financial policy administration. Responsible for managing direct reports' assignments and performance including overseeing their timely and accurate deliverables in all research financial accounting and operations including service center financials through advising, coaching, and mentorship. Collaborates to ensure fund use and cost allocation are appropriate, and requests follow established workflow in compliance with University policy and procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; implements internal controls; coordinates account closeout as needed. Manages recharge center and service-center budgets; ensures the integrity of a local tracking and billing database, and systems of filing and documentation for audit purposes performs complex Profit and Loss analysis and rate development; develops and models methodologies for scenario and ad hoc analyses, designs reporting formats and rigorously implements internal controls. Coordinates closely with ABO Team Leader to oversee service center spend and recharge processes and is responsible for document preparation and correspondence with FAS-RAS and RMAS relating to internal and external audits. Manages supplier onboarding processes as part of the accounts payable processes In close coordination with the FAS and Office of Accounting teams, including Accounts Payable, Receivable, Strategic Procurement, and the International Payee Tax Compliance team, to ensure policies, processes, and guidelines are followed. Manages the financial lifecycle of billing agreements and associated receivable and payment processes maintaining database and documentation integrity. Manages research gift and internal awards database, and maintaining data integrity. Manages, organizes, and maintains SHAREPOINT financial records and ongoing conversion from any remaining paper files to cloud platforms. Manages grantor payment workflow and process reviews, approves, and escalates payment for internal and external awards; manages all associated interim and year-end accounting closes; performs reconciliation transactions to ensure no accounts are in deficit and account segments are aligned. Performs interim and year-end accounting closes, ensuring accruals, prepaids, and deferrals are entered correctly by centrally set deadlines. Provides technical expertise to labs for complex transactions including equipment purchases and contract reviews. Troubleshoots Buy-2-Pay systems functionalities, manages approval workflow, matches exceptions and is responsible for reviewing and securing authorization to release requisitions requests up to $25,000. Works closely with the ABO Team Leader to ensure staff absences are covered while maintaining high-quality customer service. Serves as local subject matter expert to all labs for purchases, manages ABO Inbox, and supports onboarding and ongoing training in Buy-2-Pay tools and processes; coordinates local responses to systems upgrades, conducts training 1:1 or in group settings; supports labs in supplier onboarding, and special purchases of restricted materials; provides guidance on accounting exceptions processing. Serves as liaison to the FAS, in collaboration with leadership across the University, and actively participates in FAS and University working groups as needed as the department's representative. Contributes to Buy-2-Pay process improvement discussions, representing HSCRB users' voices. Performs additional duties as needed. Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office setting Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience Additional Qualifications and Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; Advanced knowledge of Excel in using advanced reporting features, dynamic formulas, conditional formatting, demonstrate spreadsheet designs and presentation. Knowledge of advanced financial administration principles. Demonstrated experience with financial systems and data query tools. Demonstrated ability in financial accounting and business operations in large academic scientific research settings with direct experience in sponsored fund, managerial, and cost-accounting in a highly collaborative environment: Deep understanding of the principles of Chart of Accounts and financial reporting structures. Substantial knowledge of advanced financial operations principles, with extensive experience in supplier set-up, purchase, payment, receivable, recharge systems, operations, reporting, financial compliance, tax implication for operations, and hands-up financial policy implementation. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with navigating connected large systems/applications, especially Buy-2-Pay and those for financial reporting. Direct experience with Oracle, Jaggaer systems, and large applications similar to HART, GMAS, are essential. Working knowledge of database design and basic report-writing skills. Experience in designing and maintaining Office365 sites as owner, familiar with GRS and principles and practices of file storage. Extensive experience in financial policy implementation and a solid understanding of the complexities of policy interpretation; capacity to resolve complex Buy-2-Pay and other financial scenarios. Ability to articulate complex financial policies, issues, and numbers in easy-to-understand terms to individuals at different levels of knowledge of finance and purchasing. Extensive experience in creating training agendas and materials, and direct experience in training new users and user groups on Buy-2-Pay systems, tools, and policies. Well-organized with a track record of producing high quality analytical presentations with high degree of accuracy. Ability to deliver outstanding customer service under extreme time pressure. Must be a strong problem solver, flexible, and have demonstrable success in managing multiple deadlines. Must demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills with extensive experience working in teams and with stakeholders including students, researchers, faculty, suppliers, and administrative peers. Supervisory experience preferred but not required. The totality of experience working collaboratively in a team environment in financial administration, operations, analytical reporting, issue articulation, customer service, and track record of service-leadership will be evaluated.

Created: 2026-03-04