The College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Director of Financial Support Services (FSS) provides direction and management for all business, financial, and budgeting operations within the CAS FSS. This includes, but is not limited to, overseeing general ledger accounting, accounts payable and receivable, procurement, research administration, equipment and space inventory for units that do not have the resources to maintain these areas on their own. This position supports all business and financial needs to units such as the Division of Biology, Humanities Shared Services, and various other departments on an as needed basis. This position provides direct oversight of 10 positions and indirect oversight of 4 more. The main areas of focus are research and general accounting, travel, purchasing and contracts, and shared services. The scope of the position is vast by providing direct management of these areas for several departments, but also by providing consultation to all CAS departments and developing best practices and training in these areas.

Manage College of Arts and Sciences FSS:

• Direct operations of all FSS activities including purchasing, accounts payable, project accounting, and ledger reconciliation.

• Supervise 10 full time staff including performance reviews, leaves, and workflow.

• Collaborate with department heads to make recommendations for staff salary increases.

• Advise FSS staff and departmental staff and faculty on polices, practices and procedures.

• Prepare and report on budgets and reconcile month financials.

• Serves as financial approver and manager, preparing reports and budgets.

• Reconcile monthly deposits, taxes, income and accounts receivable aging reports

• Works with Office of Budget and Finance to monitor annual activity for (2) Recharge Centers.

• Review billing process for accuracy for Division of Biology Recharge Centers

Research and General Accounting:

• Work with the department business office to ensure compliance and proper accounting for both external and internal sponsored funds.

• Manage account set-up, financial reporting, award closes outs, cash management, audits, and reviews of research accounts.

• Supervise a team of two accountants performing related work.

Purchasing Contracts:

• Manage procurement process and coordinate delivery of shipments.

• Review vendor quotes, contracts, bid and requisitions for 20+ fund centers.

• Act as liaison between department personnel and the central Procurement and Contract Offices.

• Oversee delivery of time-sensitive goods from the vendor to the departments.

Travel:

• Process travel-related transactions including reservations, airfare, car rental, seminar fees, honorariums, and meals.

• Assist in planning with large group trips that may include more complex and larger valued transactions and international travel.

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

• Knowledge of general accounting practices.

• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and Federal Acquisition Regulation.

• Knowledge of higher education fund accounting and organizational structure.

• Good written and oral communication skills with individuals both internal and external to the university.

• Skills with general office word processing, spreadsheet applications, and financial/HR platform such as SAP.

• Strong problem solving skills.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to interpret financial data and explain to non-financial personnel.

• Ability to evaluate circumstances and make business related decisions.

• Ability to adapt to changing policies, procedures and organizational demands.

• Ability to manage diverse employees in a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to multi-task and set priorities.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of university fiscal and human resource policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of sponsored project policies and procedures/research administration.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 4 years of accounting/financial experience including supervisory experience OR an Associate’s degree with 8 years of accounting/financial experience including supervisory experience OR High School diploma with 12 years of accounting/financial experience including supervisory experience

Preferred Experience

• Master’s Degree

• Experience in a higher education environment.

• Experience with sponsored grants and contracts.