Director for Accounting Services & Controller

Description

Columbia Basin College ('CBC' or the 'College') seeks a Director for Accounting Services & Controller to oversee the Colleges accounting, financial reporting, funds management and cashiering. The responsibilities are conducted in cooperation with other agencies and departments in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and with state and federal regulations. This position reports to the Vice President for Administrative Services.

This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by September 22, 2022 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.



Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage efficiently and effectively all accounting and financial processes consistent with requirements of the Washington State Auditor's Office, Office of Financial Management (OFM), the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB);
• Lead and provide all activities to prepare financial statements and compliance reports in accordance with GAAP and the appropriate standards as established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and achieve clean financial audit opinions;
• Lead closing procedures, reconciliations and adjustments necessary for the accurate representation in financial statements and compliance reports;
• Provide quality assurance and quality control for the preparation of monthly and periodic financial reports in accordance with timelines and procedures established by Vice President for Administrative Services, the CBC Board of Trustees, SBCTC, OFM and other agencies, as appropriate;
• Serve as primary point of contact for external auditors and conduct or coordinate as needed all responses to related audits;
• Establish fiscal policies and procedures that are consistent with the requirements of state regulatory agencies, federal granting agencies and the OMB;
• Supervise and direct the Accounting Services Department, including selection, training, task assignment, motivation, professional development, scheduling, leave approvals and performance evaluations;
• Oversee activities directly managed by various Accounting Services Assistant Directors in the areas of cashiering, accounts payable, account receivable, grants, contracts, general accounting, capital and debt accounting;
• Advise department heads, deans and administrative officials on accounting and fiscal rules, policy interpretations and related;
• Implement procedures to reduce risk, lead College staff in understanding risk, design and implement controls as appropriate;
• Authorize access to ctcLink Finance System (FSCM) screens and functions to other College staff as appropriate for job functions in accordance with strong internal control;
• Apply continuous improvement and learning methodologies to recommend/change procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness and prepare corrective actions plans for areas of responsibility;
• Manage and monitor, in conjunction with the Vice President for Administrative Services, all College investments and banking activity;
• Act as College representative on the State Budget, Accounting and Reporting group and the ctcLink users’ group;
• Coach and mentor accounting personnel in daily, monthly and annual accounting tasks using experience and knowledge in accounting by following established procedures and policies;
• Perform complex accounting tasks; and
• Other duties or projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, or closely related field from an institutionally accredited college or university which includes thirty (30) quarter hours or twenty (20) semester hours of college-level accounting; and
• Five (5) years progressive leadership in an accounting function;

OR

• Master's degree in Accounting from an institutionally accredited college or university or ability to complete the degree within one (1) year from hire; and
• Two (2) years progressive leadership in an accounting function;

AND

• Demonstrated experience in the use of modern electronic, data processing and accounting applications.

COMPETENCIES:

Departmental Management : Ability to effectively and efficiently manage a department including all related administrative and supervisory functions involving personnel and budget management;

Project Management : Manage projects by focusing attention on key priorities; evaluate approaches, determine feasibility, and adjust plan as needed; develop plans, coordinate projects and teams; communicate changes and progress; complete projects on time and on budget; perform well without direct supervision; do complex work independently; follow tasks through to completion;

Quality Management : Set clear quality requirements; measure key outcomes; improve processes, products, and services;

Leadership : Lead through influence, rather than authority, and take ownership and accountability for the area of responsibility and decisions made; demonstrate confidence within area of expertise – promote a cooperative work environment; ability to appropriately apply leadership techniques to motivate, develop and guide employees;

Conceptual Thinking : Have the ability to understand a situation or problem by identifying patterns or connections, and addressing key underlying issues; use past professional or technical training and experience, creativity, inductive reasoning, and intuitive processes to find potential solutions or valuable alternatives that may not be obviously related or easily identified; think “outside the box”;

Oral & Written Communication : Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings; structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents; review and edit written work constructively; ability to tailor to audience in mind;

Student Centered : Attention, interest, activities and efforts are centered upon the best interest of students; create and support an environment that enables learners to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals; provide courteous and helpful responses to all customers, whether they be students, general public or employees from another department;

Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion : Reflecting CBC’s mission, vision and values, support initiatives that expand the human qualities that differentiate our workplace and educational setting. Demonstrate and advocate an understanding of differences, open mindedness, compassion, sensitivity and interest in differing viewpoints given the diverse population and show a deep commitment to the involvement of colleagues, students and community members to student experience and success honoring freedom of expression as fundamental to personal, professional and organizational growth;

Accountability : Accountable for own actions, decisions, errors, mistakes and/or failures to act when appropriate; accept responsibility when given, understand what duties employee is responsible for and can be counted upon to carry out those responsibilities; and

Teamwork : Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism, and to cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors; demonstrate alignment with the 'Yes And' culture, (e.g., being present and listening, making each other look good, embracing change and failure and choosing positivity).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a twelve (12) month per year, full-time exempt position. The standard work hours will be Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, work hours may vary due to work demands and some evening and weekend work may be required. This position is overtime exempt.

PROCESS NOTE:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Columbia Basin College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.

If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.

Columbia Basin College operates under an approved affirmative action plan and encourages applications from persons of color, women, veterans and persons of disability. The Human Resources Office is accessible to those with disabilities. If you need accommodation in application or employment, contact the Human Resources Office at (509) 542-4740.

OTHER JOB ELEMENTS:


The working conditions listed below represent those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.

Work environment includes office and other settings as appropriate. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.