Senior Director - Accounting Services

Requisition ID: req3103

Job Title: Senior Director - Accounting Services

Department: Business Services

Location: Columbus Campus

Employment Type: Administrator/Executive/Manager

Employment Status: Board Approved

Bargaining Unit: Non-Bargaining Unit

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation Type: Annual

Compensation Range: $95,000 - $100,000

Schedule: M-F 8am-5pm; Evenings and Weekends

Job Description:

The College

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to respond to workforce needs and make higher education an affordable reality. There has never been a better time to join a two-year college, and there’s no better place to do it than at Columbus State. A laser focus on student success and a partnership mindset have established Columbus State as a key talent provider in a thriving regional economy, and a premier community college that is changing the nation’s education and workforce landscapes. With more than 46,000 students across two campuses, at several regional learning centers, and online, Columbus State is the nation’s only institution recognized as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) college, an AACC Guided Pathways institution, and a participant in The Right Signals Initiative through the Lumina Foundation. Columbus State employees at all levels benefit from an engaging, collaborative, and supportive culture that rewards innovation and vision. We provide competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities. We are dedicated to ensuring that the diversity of Columbus State faculty and staff reflects that of our students and region. We are proud to be a central part of a community that embraces differences and celebrates the many cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles that define Central Ohio.

The City

Columbus, Ohio is also home to The Ohio State University and more than 30 other colleges and universities as well as the headquarters of multiple Fortune 500 companies. Columbus is one of America’s fastest-growing cities, offering a wealth of cultural experiences, dining, entertainment, shopping opportunities, and more. That’s why Central Ohio residents find living here so fulfilling, both professionally and personally.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions described in this position description. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this position description.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Accounting Services/Associate Controller directs all accounting functions in three (3) departments: Financial Accounting and Reporting, Grants Accounting and Reporting, and Cashiers and Student Accounting. This position works closely with the Budget Office, the Grants Office, Payroll, cost center managers and other college department colleagues to ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and processes related to financial management. This role provides leadership to and management of administrators reporting to this role and other staff within the assigned departments. This position also shares responsibility for administering and managing department budget.

Core Competencies Required

Professionalism, Managing Work, Continuous Improvement, Customer/Student/Employee Focus, Collaboration, Leadership, Managing People, Operational Decision Making, Managing Relationships, Cultivating Networks and Partnerships, Delegation and Empowerment, Strategic Planning, Creating a Culture of Trust, Emotional Intelligence Essentials

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership: Financial Accounting


Active management of accounting and financial reporting responsibilities for all College funds to include: monthly financial statements; annual audits; account reconciliations; asset management (fixed asset capitalization and depreciation); and other reporting as required for the College and its component units (Development, Foundation, and Columbus State Community Partners).

Researches and implements new accounting principles and procedures. Stays current with all Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) developments that could impact the College or its component units and makes recommendations. Ensures compliance with and timely submission of reporting required by the Higher Learning Commission, Internal Revenue Service (Form 990) and other regulatory institutions.

Strategic Leadership: Student Accounting

Active management of student accounting responsibilities including: invoicing/ electronic charges; receipts (cash, credit card, in-person, electronic); past due billing; and collections. Works with Enrollment Management and Student Services and other College colleagues to understand various credit, noncredit and special program offerings; required billing and collection impacts; as well as impact on general ledger reporting.

Ensures compliance with and timely submission of reporting required by the Ohio Attorney General (certification of past-due balances) and Internal Revenue Service (Form 1098-Ts).

Strategic Leadership: Grant Accounting

Active management of accounting and financial reporting responsibilities for Federal, State, local and private grants and contracts that are received by the College or its component units. Works with the principal investigations (PIs), the Grants Office, the Budget Office and other College colleagues to ensure that grants are following accounting standards and are in compliance with college policy and procedures, as well as regulations set forth by funding agencies.

Coordinates fiscal monitoring of sub-recipients of grant programs. Stays current with Uniform Guidance and Government Auditing Standards and makes recommendations. Leads efforts in preparation of facilities and administrative cost rate proposals (indirect cost rate calculation).

Operational Leadership

Supervises assigned area of responsibility and staff by recruiting and hiring; assigning and delegating tasks; providing direction; resolving work problems; communicating job expectations; training employees; and developing professional growth opportunities. Conducts annual employee evaluations; provides ongoing feedback and coaching; and effectively recommends pay increases, promotions, and other personnel actions. Approves leaves and authorizes overtime, as appropriate. Administers disciplinary actions upon approval and in collaboration with Human Resources. Interprets, explains, carries out, and enforces the College’s policies.

Strategic Leadership: Banking Services

Shares responsibilities for banking and merchant services, including: daily reconciliation and monitoring of activities in the Cashier’s Office, Delaware Campus, and retail operations (Bookstore, Degrees, Blend); monthly bank reconciliations; bank fees according to contract; security of the Cashier’s vault; daily resolution of positive pay; other security measures; and cash flow projections. Communicates with bank and merchant service representatives.

Compliance & Enterprise Systems Management

Shares responsibilities as module custodian for Financials, Project (Grants) Accounting, Student Accounting, and Fixed Asset modules. Develops a deep understanding of and proficiency in the enterprise systems. Exercises super user responsibilities for system/patch testing; access control; and basic rules writing/editing. Makes requests for technical assistance and system enhancements. Develops and maintains business process workflows.

Contributes to revision and creation of policies, procedures, and effective internal controls, as it relates to the assigned area(s). Ensures accuracy of accounting functions by overseeing development and implementation of accounting systems, procedures, and controls.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with diverse groups and communities. Partners strategically with Talent Acquisition to ensure the best Diversity, Equity & Inclusion practices are utilized in hiring that results in the hiring and retention of a diverse faculty and staff. Helps to ensure the College meets its responsibilities in identifying problem areas and systemic concerns while reporting complaints alleging discrimination. Takes responsibility for creating a welcoming, inclusive, and productive work environment where employees feel valued and able to contribute to their full potential, regardless of their differences. Assists with conducting workforce analytics to identify potential inhibitors of a workplace environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Serves as the point of contact for the Office of the Controller in the absence of the Controller. In this capacity, the candidate will lend support to Payroll and Bookstore operations, upon request. Hours will include evenings and weekends, as required. Manages multiple assignments of varying complexity and meets tight timelines and deadlines, with the ability to adapt to changing needs of the College and business partners. Ensures College name and image is perceived positively by external as well as internal audience/stakeholders. Fosters and maintains a safe environment of respect and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.

Usual Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions described in this position description. While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity when entering data into computer. The employee frequently sits for periods of time, stands, and walks. Employee converses verbally or manually with others in person as well as by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when focusing on computer screen. Employee occasionally lifts up to 10 pounds.

Working Conditions

Typical office and classroom environment. Regular exposure to moderate noise typical to business offices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of: advanced management principles and practices; federal grant regulations; policy development and implementation; computer software programs and enterprise applications, including cloud applications, to include Microsoft Office applications (Work, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, Government Auditing Standards. Skill in: verbal and written communications; preparing financial and operational reports; planning, scheduling and organizing work; maintaining good public relations; customer service, working with detailed data; conflict resolution; general typing; knowledge of Word and PowerPoint, with advanced knowledge of Excel; solving organizational problems. Ability to: apply advanced management principles to practical work situations; develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, vendors, students, telephone users, grant funding agency personnel and general public; research and analyze financial data and draw conclusions or recommend viable solutions; maintain accurate and complete work records; maintain confidentiality of student and employee records, budgets and sensitive information; think creatively to find solutions for business problems; perform complex tasks and prioritize multiple projects; gather, interpret and analyze statistical data and generate reports; prepare financial and operational reports, statements, and/or projections; develop, plan and implement goals; negotiate and manage contractual arrangements; apply accounting principles; work effectively with persons of varying cultures and diversity, relay key financial data in laypersons terms; consistently complete work that is accurate and timely; work with minimal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or closely related field. Must have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience including supervision of staff and administrators. Financial statement preparation and review is required. State Motor Vehicle Operator's License or demonstrable ability to gain access to work site(s).

Preferred Qualifications: CPA; Higher education experience.