Director Accounting Services

Responsible for directing the operations and personnel of the financial accounting, reporting and plant accounting units.

• Engages in strategic planning, setting and enforcing policies, and accounting procedures.
• Works collaboratively with the leadership to manage projects.
• Manages the workload and direction of staff covering various accounting, financial, and system functions for the entire university. Managers other financial and technical tasks benefitting accounting services departments.
• Manages control processes for the university's general ledger and fixed asset systems. Serves as functional lead for system upgrades and as university’s point of contact for new system interfaces.
• Maintains a good understanding of all the system feeds and interfaces into the general ledger system in order to troubleshoot and resolve issues. Directs and oversees monthly and year-end general ledger close processes to ensure university transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
• Serves as the point of contact for accounting, general ledger, financial and fixed asset questions and training for the entire university. Provides in depth financial analysis and recommendations for various large departments on campus.
• Maintains and monitors various funds, preparing financials statements, researching and resolving deficits and ensuring that transactions are reported accurately and timely. Analyzes monthly financial statements, research and correct known misstatements and report large fluctuations to senior leadership.
• Manages and prepares various financial reports for external constituents. Prepares financial statements for inclusion in the State of Michigan Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Assists leadership in the preparation of the university's annual audited financial report. Serves as the main point of contact for external auditors. Protects and monitors the fixed assets of the university.
• Responsible for analyzing and forecasting the university's fringe benefit accounts. Assists with setting the benefits rates annually and communicates rate changes to the university community.
• Hires, trains, evaluates, and supervises staff.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution

• Five years' relevant experience.
• Experience in a managerial role.
• In depth experience with financial reports and analysis.
• Working knowledge of GAAP, GASB and FASB accounting standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with office software, including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• Experience in higher education.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2024-06-12