Vice President, Accounting Policy

Job Description Summary

For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.

In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.

We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement, which translates to 2-3 days minimum per week in the office.

The VP, Accounting Policy role at HarbourVest is an outstanding opportunity to craft and improve our financial framework. You will lead the transition from a tax basis of accounting to US GAAP, playing a crucial role in our financial reporting process. This position offers an outstanding chance to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment, where your expertise will drive significant impact.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement.

The ideal candidate is someone who is:

• Detail-focused; consistently delivers timely and accurate results even in challenging situations, showing balanced judgment in conclusions.
• Highly organized and able to balance multiple priorities at any given point in time.
• Collaborative; a great teammate who excels in a collegial setting.
• Analytical; makes recommendations using acquired data and cumulative experience.
• Comfortable with complexity and ambiguity.
• An agile learner; able to readily apply past findings in new situations to generate solutions to organization challenges.
• Trustworthy with strong business integrity and ability to hold sensitive information in confidence.

What you will do:

• In conjunction with the Chief Accounting Officer, lead the assessment, development, and implementation of the US GAAP framework for the Firm.
• Build and maintain financial statement bridges from Tax Basis of Accounting to GAAP Basis of Accounting.
• Assist in the review of quarterly reporting, including management review meetings and supplemental financial reporting schedules.
• Research technical accounting topics on key subjects including but not limited to consolidation, business combinations, earnings per share, lease accounting, stock compensation, and revenue. Provide advice and interpretation with respect to matters of accounting, disclosure, and other financial considerations.
• Partner with business units to ensure internal controls and accounting mentorship on new or amended contracts, client issues, and other operational changes are consistent with US GAAP.
• Lead the implementation of new accounting standards, including working with industry groups, regulators, and external auditors on implementation issues.
• Assist in monitoring external accounting and regulatory developments that potentially impact the Firm.
• Engage in relevant industry groups, seminars, and conferences, and study peer companies to monitor and identify standard methodologies in accounting and financial reporting.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

What you bring:

• 8+ years of Accounting Advisory or public/private Accounting Policy experience.
• Financial Services / Alternative Asset Manager experience required.
• Significant experience with technical accounting research under US GAAP.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to grammar and diction; builds an atmosphere in which timely information flows efficiently through the organization.
• Strong research and analysis skills; able to clearly and concisely summarize large volumes of complex information.
• Capable of integrating and balancing priorities, work activities, and resources for the benefit of various collaborators.
• Strong business insight.
• Active learner; able to improve personal, professional, and business growth through new knowledge and experiences. Pushes the organization to learn from other industries’ standards and practices.
• Desire and ability to lead, mentor, and develop staff.
• Public accounting experience at the manager level or equivalent experience preferred.
• CPA required.

Education Preferred

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.

Experience

• 8+ years of Accounting Advisory or public/private Accounting Policy experience.

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