Manager, Accounting

Description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, manages and coordinates the day-to-day operations of a variety of designated accounting and finance functions within the District's financial services programs and operations including routine recording of fiscal activities, budget development, state reporting and compliance, chart of accounts, financial aid, year-end closing processes, banking, auditing, and preparation of financial statements; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; supervise, assign, review, and participate in the work of assigned classified staff through an equity lens; and perform a variety of complex accounting analysis and reporting.

SUPERVISION
Receives general direction from the Director of Financial Services. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the staff, and activities of assigned accounting and finance operations. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include budget administration, program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to districtwide financial program activities. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business management, or related field; AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible financial accounting experience, INCLUDING two (2) years at a lead or supervisory level; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

• One year of experience is equal to 12 months of experience at 40 hours per week. Applicable part-time experience will be converted to the full-time equivalent for purposes of meeting the experience requirement.
• Related experience that is above the minimum requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
  
• Applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with online application.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, work planning, assignments, review, and evaluation, and the training of staff in work methods and procedures
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of accounting and financial program management including accounting, budgeting, auditing, and internal control principles, practices, and procedures.
• Principles, practices, and terminology used in higher education fiscal procedures.
• Principles and practices used in the preparation of financial statements and comprehensive accounting reports.
• Principles and practices of budgeting and financial control methods and techniques of analysis and investigation.
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations pertaining to higher education accounting and financial reporting.
• Principles and practices of administrative research and report preparation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with students, staff, faculty, representatives of outside organizations and members of the public, including individuals of diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, physical ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Ability to:

• Provide professional, ethical, inclusive leadership for the assigned area while demonstrating a commitment to contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for providing accounting services and activities.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations relating to higher education fiscal operations.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets; delegate, plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to District personnel concerning budget, accounting, and financial matters.
• Analyze complex financial and statistical data and prepare accounting statements, reports, forecasts, summary conclusions, and recommendations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Work under pressure; handle significant problems and tasks that arise simultaneously and/or unexpectedly.
• Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse racial, ethnic, disabled, sexual orientation, and cultural populations of community college students.
• Establish and maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Manager, Accounting

Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Plans, manages, and oversees the staffing and operational activities for various accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, journal entries, state reporting and compliance, chart of accounts, financial aid, year-end closing processes, banking, and financial statements; ensures the maintenance of financial, accounting, and statistical files and records.
2. Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the section; recommends within policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
3. Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned teams, identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures with particular attention toward creating and sustaining equitable outcomes; identifies resource needs; recommends and oversees the implementation of improvements.
4. Identifies, selects, and evaluates vendors and service providers including merchant processors, banking partners, and suppliers; administers service contracts and monitors service provider work for compliance with contract terms and achievement of performance targets; resolves issues and discrepancies.
5. Directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned accounting and finance services and programs; assigns work activities and projects; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
6. Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
7. Establishes and maintains appropriate internal controls for sound fiscal accountability; plans and coordinates the annual audit of fiscal operations and activities; provides accounting records for the annual District audit and for other special audits; confers with auditors and implements recommendations .
8. Resolves complex accounting discrepancies or procedural problems and responds to program procedural and/or delivery questions; maintains program records for operation and budget accountability; confers with and advises staff and program participants by providing advice, problem solving assistance, answers to questions and interpretation of program goals and policy.
9. Provides technical leadership, guidance, and analytical support to districtwide staff, including deans, directors, project coordinators, and vice presidents, regarding appropriate accounting methods, budget development, and other budget-related issues for General Fund Unrestricted and Restricted Programs.
10. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Supplemental Information

SALARY SCHEDULE: SCCDAA - Administrators

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This is a non-telecommuting position.

All District employees must participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, which requires them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption.
Environment: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental or District policies and procedures.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, above shoulders or horizontally, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and dexterity of hands and fingers and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard and audio visual equipment; and hearing and speaking to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction and to read printed materials and view a computer screen.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE: Any application received after the deadline is not guaranteed a review.

August 13-September 13, 2024 Position advertised; District receives applications
September 13, 2024Initial screening deadline for guaranteed consideration. Position open until filled.
September 23-October 4, 2024Committee reviewing applications.
October 14-18, 2024Search Committee interviews candidates
October, 2024Top finalist second level interview
November, 2024Employment start date pending Governing Board approval.



Southwestern Community College District provides an excellent benefits package for employees and eligible dependents that includes affordable medical plans, employer paid dental and life insurance, CalPERS and CalSTRS retirement options, vacation and sick leave accruals, and professional development opportunities.

For more information, please visit the Benefits webpage.