Senior Manager, Accounting Operations

Commonwealth Fusion Systems; Harvard (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with employer matching

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking an experienced Accounting Operations Leader in Massachusetts to oversee AP, payroll, expense reporting, and state filing compliance. You will manage a growing team, drive process improvements, and partner with Supply Chain, FP&A, and IT to strengthen controls and efficiencies.

The role demands 7+ years in accounting operations with 5+ years of supervisory experience, strong Excel and ERP proficiency, and CPA/CPP certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting or similar field.
• 7+ years accounting operations or finance operations experience.
• 5+ years supervisory/leadership in a finance/accounting environment.
• Hands-on with AP, payroll coordination, expense reporting, or state filings.
• Experience with ERP systems (Odoo or similar).
• CPA, CPP, or related certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Accounting Operations function including AP, payroll, expense reporting, and state filing compliance.
• Manage and develop the AP/payroll/expense reporting/state filings team; drive accountability and process discipline.
• Oversee accounts payable operations: invoice processing, payments, vendor issues, P2P adherence.
• Partner with Supply Chain, FP&A, HR, ERP/IT to improve processes and workflow traceability.
• Support monthly close and internal controls/audit readiness.

Skills

Accounting ops

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

ERP systems

Payroll coordination

State filings

Procure-to-pay

Internal controls

Audits readiness

Problem solving

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting

CPA

Tools

Odoo ERP

Payroll software

Procure-to-pay tools

Job description

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And we're working with policymakers, suppliers, and many others to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised $4 billion of capital, making us the largest and leading fusion company in the world.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

What you'll do:

• Lead the Accounting Operations function for a rapidly growing organization, including AP, payroll, expense reporting, and state filing compliance
• Serve as the first-line manager-level owner for operational accounting issue triage, escalation handling, root-cause follow-up, and process discipline
• Manage and develop the AP, payroll, expense reporting, and state filing compliance team; build role clarity, cross-training, backup coverage, and accountability
• Oversee accounts payable operations, including invoice processing, vendor bill flow, payment preparation, vendor-related issue resolution, and adherence to procure-to-pay processes
• Partner with Supply Chain, FP&A, and Buyers on PO creation, PO management, receiving discipline, buyer/category accuracy, invoice flow, and process improvement
• Oversee payroll operations in partnership with People Ops, including timelines, controls, handoffs, issue resolution, and backup coverage
• Own expense reporting and corporate card process compliance, including policy adherence, approval discipline, supporting documentation, and issue resolution
• Own state filing compliance execution, including filing calendars, registrations, external provider coordination, documentation, and timely completion of required deliverables
• Partner with ERP/IT and business process owners to identify workflow gaps, improve Odoo-enabled processes, support automation, and strengthen transaction traceability
• Document key operating procedures, create scalable SOPs and training materials, and ensure process changes are communicated and adopted across impacted functions
• Monitor operational accounting metrics and recurring issues to identify trends, reduce rework, and improve processing accuracy and cycle time
• Support monthly close activities related to AP, payroll, expenses, accruals, payments, and compliance areas, ensuring activities are completed timely and accurately
• Support internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance activities related to AP, payroll, expense reporting, and state filings

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting or similar field preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant accounting, accounting operations, or finance operations experience
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory, team lead, or process-owner experience in a finance/accounting environment
• Hands-on experience with AP, payroll coordination, expense reporting, state filing compliance, or related operational accounting workflows
• Demonstrated experience improving processes, resolving operational bottlenecks, documenting procedures, and driving accountability across functions
• Experience working cross-functionally with teams such as Supply Chain, FP&A, People Ops/HR, ERP/IT, operations, or procurement
• Strong process ownership, issue triage, prioritization, and root-cause problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage ambiguity, create structure, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner with non-accounting stakeholders while maintaining compliance and control discipline
• People leadership, coaching, staff development, and accountability management
• Strong Excel and ERP fluency; ability to use data to identify exceptions, trends, and process gaps
• Experience in a high-growth, manufacturing, R&D, project-based, or operationally complex environment
• Experience with Odoo or similar ERP systems
• Experience managing external providers for state filings, compliance, payroll support, or related services
• Experience with corporate card programs, travel and expense systems, procure-to-pay workflows, or payroll systems
• CPA, CPP, or other relevant professional certification
• Experience building SOPs, training materials, controls documentation, and audit-ready support

Must-have Requirements:

• Perform extended activities such as typing, standing, sitting, walking, etc.
• Occasional nights/weekends/on-call may be required during payroll processing, month-end close, audit, compliance deadlines, system issues, or urgent operational escalations.
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics

$150,000 - $225,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits.

Benefits include:

• Competitive compensation with equity
• Generous parental leave policy
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional growth opportunities

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law.

This role requires compliance with U.S. laws concerning the export of controlled or protected technologies or information (collectively, “Export Control Laws