Finance Manager (15487)

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Summary/Objective

Working under minimal supervision from the Assistant Dean of Budget & Technology, this position is responsible for performing budget management and compliance, purchasing, accounting, and analysis for the School of Communication’s unrestricted, restricted, and online accounts. This position oversees the day to day financial activities of these accounts and creates and analyzes monthly, quarterly and annual reports. This position reports directly to the Assistant Dean, Budget & Technology and works closely with Assistant Dean, Administrative & Strategic Initiatives, SOC’s Division and Program Directors, SOC’s Senior Staff, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Grants and Contracts Accounting and the Budget Office.

Essential Functions

1. Financial Management and Budget Administration: Responsible for day to day functions and initial point of contact with purchasing, accounts payable, and budgetary matters for general operating accounts, discretionary/gift accounts, and grants. Develops processes and procedures for short and long term budget planning, forecasting, monitoring and tracking revenue and expenditures. Develops reports to inform the Assistant Dean and other SOC senior staff on trends and issues. Works with the Assistant Dean, Budget & Technology in the establishment of financial performance goals for IRC projects and monitors performance of projects. Reviews for accuracy, approves and submits invoices, reimbursement forms and similar documents for payment. Works with faculty and staff to resolve accounting and purchasing issues. Works with Accounts Payable, Purchasing and Contracts, and vendors to make sure invoices and other forms of payments are processed properly and timely. Reconciles and approves purchasing card transactions. Assists Assistant Dean, Budget & Technology with fiscal closing related matters and preparation of SOC’s biennial budget submission. Maintains records necessary for fiscal closeout such as pre-paid expense/accruals and deferred revenue. Assists faculty and staff with Professional Service Agreements (PSA) and in the process of establishing new vendors in the system.
2. Financial Management of Restricted and Externally Funded Accounts: Works with department program assistants in providing financial coordination for special programs, including but not limited to, programs such as Experiential Learning projects, Classroom in the Wild and Discover the World of Communication. Processes paperwork and monitors IDFRA faculty accounts. Works with the Grants management team and the PI as a backup for setting up the financial award, tracking financial transactions, prepare funding reports and ensure compliance with the terms of the grants.
3. Approves tuition and fee forms for specialized programs. Approves graduate assistant hiring actions initiated by Graduate Services Office. This position initiates actions such as Journal Entries for unrestricted and restricted accounts or approves actions initiated by others. Participates in the training of new staff and faculty on financial issues. Provides backup to other staff in financial activities such as bank deposits, budget changes, hiring actions.
4. Other duties as assigned to support the strategic goals of the School of Communication and American University.

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position is part of a team approach to provide faculty and staff financial and budgetary services. It is expected this position will take the lead on some of these activities.

Work Environment

• Some evening or weekend work during peak times, while rare, may be required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full Time
• Sr. Coordinator/Analyst A
• Exempt

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration or related field
• 5-8 years of relevant experience
• Direct experience with auditing, accounting or budget development
• Demonstrated analytical and deductive reasoning skills
• Working knowledge of general accounting principles, spreadsheets, report generation, compliance policies
• Demonstrated communication skills both verbally and written and customer service
• Experience on budget monitoring
• Able to maintain confidentiality

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree in a related field
• Relevant professional certification
• 8-10 years of relevant experience
• Experience in not for profit organizations or higher education
• Knowledge of Microstrategy/BI and/or Datatel/Colleague
• Experience with external funding (grants, fixed price contracts) a plus

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
• To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive.

Others

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite.Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options .

Current American University Employees

If you are a current employee at American University, please log intoAsuccessfulU through themyAU portal . Once in AsuccessfulU, please select the Careers tile which will take you to our internal career page.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.