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Location: Seattle, WA Category: Staff Posted On: Sun Sep 11 2022 Job Description:
General Summary: The AVP of Finance/Controller provides strategic leadership, business acumen, and financial expertise for the University’s Finance Office. Through partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, this role leads the Business Planning and Accounting teams, ensuring financial disciplines, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and excellence in policy and processes. The AVP of Finance/Controller oversees the financial cycles of, federal and private grants, accounting and reporting, budget compliance, and financial management. This role supports financing of students and academic programs through analysis of financial information, and managing cash, debt and the balance sheet. The AVP of Finance/Controller partners with internal stakeholders including Deans and Directors and the University’s Foundation, and with external stakeholders including bankers, auditors, and regulators. The AVP of Finance/Controller is motivated to continuously improve systems and processes, cares deeply about leading and developing people, has a passion for education.
Job Duties:
Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the Finance Office’s overall goals and objectives, including leading, directing, and overseeing hiring, retaining, mentoring, and supporting staff members in the Office of Business and Finance.
Defines, plans, and delivers all aspects of , budget analysis and reporting, and expenditure control.
Leads analysis and reporting of financial performance and trends and supports and influences decision making to ensure the University’s financial viability.
Develops, communicates, and implements University-level financial policies and internal controls over financial reporting.
Supports the strategy and leads the deployment and operation of University-level financial systems and related system tools.
Serves as the Chief Accountant, directing the University’s Accounting and Reporting operations, including ensuring consist adoption of existing and new Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Directs the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit, regulatory audits, triennial accreditation, and other audits by external parties in collaboration with the VP of Business and Finance and the Assistant Controller.
Directs internal management reporting, including establishing and implementing accepted allocation methodologies.
Directs and supports all external financial reporting, including, but not limited to, federal and tax returns, federal Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate proposal (NICR), financial reports to federal funders, grantors, and miscellaneous financial reporting and surveys.
Directs all aspects of managing institutional debt including, but not limited to, monitoring covenants, coordinating required reporting, Participating in the evaluating of new issuance and refinancing opportunities, and coordinating issuance activities with WHEFA and service providers.
Directs institutional treasury operations and daily cash flow including, but not limited to, developing and maintaining banking relationships, optimizing bank services, recommending investments for excess cash in conjunction with the VP of Business and Finance, and managing cash flow forecasting.
Facilitates the Office of Business and Finance’s role in applying for, receiving and managing external federal, state and private foundation grant awards to the University.
Administers the University’s Housing Assistance Program under the supervision of the Vice President for Business and Finance.
Reviews and analyzes major contractual obligations of the institution to ensure consistency with overall financial goals, objectives, and plans, and compliance with University financial policies, procedures, and standards.
Job Requirements:
Four-year degree in Accounting or Finance.
Eight to ten years of financial accounting, including at least three years of management experience.
CPA license (active or inactive).
Collaborative working style with the ability to relate to, develop, and mentor junior staff members and student workers.
A successful individual will work independently and understands complex relationships between detail (e.g., program and account) and the economic and institutional impact (e.g., big picture budget) of information.
Strong GAAP knowledge.
Strong oral and written communication ability essential.
Advanced Excel with the ability to work in MS Access. Ability to adapt to use various cloud-based software.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Accounting or Finance, or MBA
Six years of financial planning and accounting experience.
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation a plus.
Public accounting experience.
University or not-for-profit financial experience.
Direct experience with 200 CFR and federal funding requirements and private foundation grants and related budgeting and reporting.
ERP implementation experience is a plus. Experience using the Banner educational system is a plus.
Additional Information:
Position will remain open until filled.
Salary: DOE
This is a full time position with excellent benefits. SPU pays the employee premium for medical, dental, and vision insurance. SPU makes contributions to an employee HSA account and to a retirement account after one year of eligibility in the plan. Tuition discount program available for the employee and qualified immediate family members.
