Associate, Accounting Operations

HarbourVest Partners; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Comprehensive total rewards package

Retirement and wellness programs

Job summary

HarbourVest Partners in Boston seeks a Senior Associate for Accounting Operations. This role supports fund operational processes in a collaborative environment.

The candidate should have 3–4 years of experience in finance/accounting, ideally with private equity background, and enjoy a hybrid work model. The base salary ranges from $85,000 to $100,000 and includes the opportunity for an annual bonus.

Qualifications

• 3–4 years of finance/accounting experience; private equity experience is a plus.
• Experience in Accounting Operations, ideally in private markets.
• Proficiency in digital literacy and willingness to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform tasks aligned to Accounting Operations, adhering to timelines.
• Develop expertise in the assigned functional area.
• Review data entry to operations systems and Excel.

Skills

Administrative skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Written communication

Finance knowledge

Accounting knowledge

Education

BS/BA in Business, Finance, Economics or Accounting

CPA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Efront

Great Plains

Job description

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 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 3‑4 days minimum per week in the office.

About the Role

We are seeking a self‑motivated Senior Associate to join our Accounting Operations team in Boston. This opportunity allows you to be part of a growing team that is passionate about implementing processes, driving continuous improvement, and delivering results. The Accounting Operations team performs fund operational processes on a centralized, consistent, and standardized basis for all funds.

The ideal candidate is someone who is:

• Has proven ability in bringing high‑quality administrative, technology and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Possesses a strong work ethic and can work independently and as part of a team.
• Is self‑motivated and able to multi‑task, working with multiple team members across different teams and time zones.
• Demonstrates a proven ability to provide timely and accurate work.
• Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Has experience with finance and accounting concepts.

What you will do

• Perform tasks aligned to Accounting Operations, adhering to established timelines and following standardized queries, workflows and templates.
• Develop expertise in the assigned functional area, understanding both depth (knowledge of process) and breadth (knowledge of fund‑specific characteristics) and how they impact the process.
• Review data entry to operations systems and Excel, run and review reports, perform data reconciliation/validation, and manage system uploads.
• Ensure team compliance with documentation standards applicable to the Accounting Operations team, including creation or review of a standard documentation package clearly evidencing work performed, conclusions reached, and signoff.
• Communicate with team leader on any comments on work performed, addressing comments timely and applying lessons learned to future work product.
• Prepare or review ad hoc requests and help with Accounting Operations Team projects related to continuous improvement.
• Coordinate client service queries in a timely manner.

What you bring

• Experience in Accounting Operations, ideally in private markets.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills and experience with data reconciliation.
• Proficiency in digital literacy (Microsoft Office) with a willingness to learn new systems and applications.
• Ability to perform processes across a diverse set of funds, applying knowledge learned in one fund to similar funds within the complex.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Experience with Efront and Great Plains accounting software a plus.

Education

• BS/BA (or European equivalent) – Business, Finance, Economics or Accounting.
• CPA a plus.

Work Experience

• 3–4 years of finance/accounting experience; private equity experience a plus.

Base Salary Range

• $85,000.00 – $100,000.00 USD.

This USD base salary range represents only one component of total compensation for this role and is provided in accordance with local requirements. The role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, which is determined based on individual and overall firm performance. In addition to salary and bonus, total compensation may include eligibility for long‑term reward programs and a comprehensive total rewards package that may include retirement, health, insurance, paid time off, and wellness programs. Posted ranges do not apply outside the U.S. and should not be converted to other currencies as a proxy for compensation in other countries.