Director of Finance

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Finance at Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) has oversight of the financial, risk management and information technology operations of the organization. In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Director of Finance is delegated a high degree of responsibility to recommend and implement fiscal policies and procedures in partnership with university colleagues to ensure that ASI operates appropriately within the financial policies of the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees and the University, while sustaining sound business practices, and strengthening the financial health of ASI.

The Director of Finance will sit as a non-voting member and serve as an advisor to the ASI Student Board of Directors, which doubles as the Sacramento State Student Government.   

The ASI Director of Finance serves as ASI administrator in charge in the absence of the Executive Director. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Accounting

• Oversees the supervision and management of all aspects of the functional areas of the Accounting Services department, including but not limited to accounts receivable, accounts payable, cashiering, fixed asset management, internal controls, policy development and implementation, legal, and audit compliance as well as maintenance of the general ledger.
• Provides insight and education regarding ASI and CSU Sacramento budget and financial operations to the ASI Student Board of Directors, full-time staff, student-staff, campus partners and the student community at a level of their understanding.
• Oversees the preparation of the annual financial statements and 990 for ASI and the Union WELL.
• Facilitates implementation of quality standards and priority criteria for service processes.
• Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction through assessment, staff training, and resource development. Ensures compliance with state and federal tax laws and reporting requirements.
• Ensures compliance with all internal controls and identifies potential improvements to increase efficiency of operations and security of company assets.
• Evaluates changes in policies, laws, and available resources for impacts and adjustments to related policies, procedures, and staff responsibilities.
• Coordinates plans for testing, training, and implementing new and upgraded financial systems.
• Manages corporate response to auditors during the annual external audit, CSU audits, and other agency audits.
• Prepares reports and supporting documentation for year-end financial statements and state and federal income tax filings.
• Reviews and approves internal audits of petty cash, change funds, and inventories of assets and resale products.
• Responsible for all cash management activity within the organization to meet short and long-term financial requirements. 
• Examines and translates financial information related to specific business decisions, reports on operating results, cash flow, financial forecasts, restricted fund activities, investments and related issues.
• Examines investments and consults with appropriate staff and investment managers regarding investment needs and maximization of investment income.  Makes investment recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Provides on-site accounting support for departmental special events (i.e. regattas, ski swap, etc.) as required.

Long Term Financial Planning, and Forecasting

• Develops financial forecasts to determine necessary funding levels for ASI regarding distribution/allocation of fiscal resources.
• Monitors the use of student fee revenue and recommends timing and levels of necessary fee increases.
• Develops long-term capital funding plans and budgets including maintaining appropriate reserve increases.
• Manages investment and banking operations. 
• Advises Executive Director on all financial matters.

Fiscal Services

• Serves as an advisor to the ASI Student Board of Directors. Provides guidance and support to all elected ASI student officers, especially the ASI Student Vice President of Finance, in the fulfillment of their responsibilities, and to student club and organization officers on the use of ASI funds.
• Organizes, directs and supervises the preparation of ASl's annual budget in accordance with the guidelines provided by the ASI Finance and Budget Committee.
• Implements the approved budget, and works with ASI department directors to ensure that operations remain within the scope of the approved budget.
• Coordinates with the ASI Student Vice President of Finance in the annual budget review process.
• Develops and presents ASI budget to the ASI Student Board of Directors and reports on budget status throughout the year to the Student Board of Directors.
• Oversees the management of corporate bank accounts.
• Oversees internal audit plan; acts as liaison to external audit firm.
• Monitors gifts and donations, sales tax liability, fixed asset management and inventory, insurance coverage, and contractual agreements that bind ASI.
• Serves as a key resource to ASI Student Government/ASI Student Board of Directors regarding fiscal policies, procedures, and processes.
• Fulfills ASl's responsibilities as fiscal agent for the State Hornet Newspaper and Union WELL.
• Manages services as agreed upon in the Memorandums of Understanding, including completing and overseeing the financial transactions, record keeping, account collections and financial statements.
• Maintains and update the Financial Policy Manual.

Committees

• Serves as a member of the ASI Management Work Team
• Serves as a non-voting member of the ASI Finance and Budget Committee
• Serves as a non-voting member of the ASI Student Board of Directors
• Serves as a member of the AOA Business and Financial Services Committee
• Serves as a member of the Student Affairs Manager Group; attends all meetings

ADMINISTRATION

• Ensures effective day-to-day oversight of central corporate functions, including strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, risk management, corporate records, and infrastructure.
• Complies with ASI policies, practices and procedures in leading, supervising and managing the ASI Accounting Services department.
• Increases the operational strength of the organization through supporting staff professional development.
• Supervises the Information Technology team to deliver technical support, network administration, information security, and procurement.  Recommends technology strategies and solutions by evaluating organization needs, identifying problems, evaluating trends, and anticipating requirements.
• Follows all relevant university policies, procedures, and guidelines including, but not limited to, safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.

Assessment

• Develop and execute assessment of programs and/or services for areas of responsibility including, but not limited to, setting and implementing goals, evaluating outcomes and ongoing enhancement. 
• Participate in the overall ASI assessment planning and goal setting.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Leading the Department: Manages and supports organizational transformation; aligns department initiatives with ASI’s mission and vision.
• Leading Self: Adheres to the highest standards of ethics, is open to new ideas and approaches; and exhibits leadership behaviors.
• Leading Others: Manages effective teams and work groups effectively; builds and maintains relationships.
• Effective Communicator: Demonstrates open, honest and respectful written and verbal communication. Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with staff, employees and public.
• Flexible/Adaptable: Maintains effectiveness in varying work environments where circumstances and priorities are changing.
• Resilient: Maintains high performance and composure under pressure, opposition or criticism.
• Creativity/Innovation: Encourages new ideas and innovations in programming; questions conventional approaches.
• Financial Management: Prepares, justifies and administers the program budget. Monitors expenditures and uses cost benefit thinking to set department priorities.
• Policies, Process and Procedures: Acts in accordance with established guidelines; communicates and enforces Associated Students Inc. policies and procedures.
• Partnership: Works effectively and collaboratively with campus constituencies to serve a diverse customer population.
• Customer-Focused: proactively seeks and finds ways to provide the highest standards of service.
• Problem-Solver: Demonstrates broad ways to analyze and handle complex problems and situations. 
• Cooperation: Works effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal; follows instructions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to manage the quality and content of organizational finance and accounting, typically demonstrated by eight (8) years of experience managing the fiscal and administrative functions of a complex business unit or a large non-profit and/or the possession of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field. Relevant work experience may be substitute for required education.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience compiling, developing, preparing and publishing comprehensive financial statements in a FASB and/or GASB environment.
• Ability to analyze data, develop, and maintain complex statistical and management reports.
• Ability to effectively communicate financial concepts to audiences with varying degrees of financial aptitude.
• Supervisory experience required.

PREFERRED Qualifications

• Advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field, from an accredited university. Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Financial management experience in higher education or with a non-­ profit 501(c)(3) organization.
• Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining collegial professional relationships, and delivering first-rate customer service during their most recent five years’ work experience.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors, preferably related to a non-profit 501(c)(3) or higher education organization.
• Experience supervising a segment of a large information technology operation or all aspects of a small information technology operation.
• Experience supervising a major segment of a large accounting operation, or all aspects of a small accounting operation.
• Experience in strategic planning for an organization with a variety of departments.
• Experience working with external auditors and resolving identified audit findings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee must:

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to climb, kneel, squat, reach overhead

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office setting