This position oversees the primary functions of the campus accounting department and financial shared services, directs and manages Accounting Services staff, leads fiscal year closing and reporting activities, oversees training for staff in accounting-related topics, ensures compliance with university finance policies and procedures, manages audit requests, manages finance system access requests, and works on various finance projects.

• Oversee the campus accounting function and monitor campus fiscal activity. Develop and implement campus monitoring guidelines and procedures to ensure that campus funds are maintained and reported in accordance with University and campus policy and generally accepted accounting principles. Monitor campus financial data, fiscal practices and procedures to ensure that internal controls are followed; develop and implement new policies and procedures as necessary. Interpret University business and accounting policy and provide guidance and advice as needed. Develop, interpret and enforce campus accounting policy in the area of account maintenance. Perform analysis of campus financial information for reoccurring and non-reoccurring projects.
• Direct and manage Accounting Services staff, projects, processes and procedures. Monitor and analyze department work and coordinate development of effective and efficient procedures. Plan, organize, manage and schedule accounting staff to ensure that work is properly allotted and completed in a timely and accurate manner. Assign Accounting Services staff to special projects as needed. Ensure that campus community receives a high level of customer service from Accounting Services including appropriate functional assistance in use of accounting system. Advise staff regarding the handling of non-routine issues and financial reporting. Ensure that staff is well trained and maintains functional competence in accounting system use.
• Ensure an accurate and timely year end close. Calculate and create necessary year-end accounting entries. Maintain and track year-end closing task list utilized by all Accounting Services staff to ensure all year-end activities and projects are completed before deadlines. Complete campus financial sub-certification documents and executive financial summary report.
• Manage Accounting Services’ training efforts. Assess campus training needs, develop and provide training on accounting-related topics to individuals and the campus community. Assess and update website information to address most common training needs for accounting-related topics. Provide advice and assistance to the campus community regarding accounting matters.
• Manage collection of information requested by internal and external auditors. Interpret audit requests, determine appropriate method to retrieve data or information and work with campus community when necessary to fulfill the request. Ensure that deadlines are met.
• Make decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees in order to ensure that the department is staffed with qualified personnel capable of meeting defined objectives and responsibilities. Work with each direct report to establish goals and objectives and evaluate their success in reaching goals. Handle personnel issues related to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance, etc.
• Review for appropriateness and compliance with policies and accounting practices campus requests for finance system access, transaction approval permissions, new accounting activities, gift card programs and other activities requiring Accounting approval and oversight.
• Collaborate with the university-wide accounting directors and the UM Controller and staff on special projects, including system-wide policy and procedure design and process implementation and improvement, finance software upgrade and implementation. This may involve serving on committees and participation, either personally or by Accounting staff, in work groups.
• Work on special projects for the Director, Budget & Accounting including but not limited to: re-establish processes for shared services, periodic review of current PCS/SSCS attributes, periodic cleanup of balance sheet activities, and review process changes necessary for new GASB requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in policy development, financial analysis, and auditing procedures.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate a team effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with a focus on customer service and stakeholder collaboration.
• Proficiency in financial software and systems.
• University experience
• PeopleSoft experience