Associate Vice President, Accounting/Finance and Controller
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
Full-time
Accounting
Posted on May 7, 2023
Position Overview
The Associate Vice President, Accounting/Finance and Controller provides administrative and fiscal leadership for the College's financial services and business operations. The Associate Vice President oversees the management and operation of financial services units, including accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, procurement, and auxiliary services, and ensures financial integrity and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities include:
- Anticipate and lead change to improve internal processes. Provide all consultation and support necessary to VP, Financial Planning and CBO and EVP, CFO and other senior management in the development and monitoring of College financial policies and procedures. This may include attendance at meetings and presentations before any and all institutional boards and committees.
- Provide direct supervision over the financial services teams. Ensure prompt, effective customer-focused service delivery of financial services including Accounting, Procurement and Accounts Payable functions. In partnership with respective functional leaders, oversight for personnel related actions such as hiring, performance appraisal, development, promotion, counseling, and exit.
- Oversee internal controls systems to ensure effective financial operations, safeguard the institution's assets and provide reliable financial information.
- Provide support to the VPFP/CBO and EVP, CFO as the primary resource with respect to technical accounting (GAAP and regulatory) and tax guidelines. Oversee activities of the accounting department for timely and accurate maintenance of the general ledger and financial management reporting.
- Provide consultation, and technical assistance in the preparation, presentation, and monitoring of the operating and capital budgets and provide support in the formulation of long-term financial forecasts and strategic planning. Responsible for preparation of all financial reports on a monthly and periodic basis in accordance with timelines and procedures established by VPFP/CBO and EVP/CFO.
- Responsible for the financial accounting and reporting, including formal analytical review of all material balance sheets, income statements, and donor funds. Assist in oversight of investment/treasury/debt service/cash flow management.
- Collaborate on the development of documentation for and provide training programs to non-finance departments with respect to financial policies and procedures.
- Provide day to day consultation and coordination of functions with the Director of Procurement to assure control over college expenditures.
- Provide consultation and technical assistance to the Payroll and HR departments to assure proper accounting and reporting of payroll and related expenses.
- Responsible for the preparation of all required reports to Federal, State, City, and other regulatory bodies and groups for taxes, licenses, and other purposes. Direct all audits/compliance reviews conducted/required by regulatory agencies.
- Direct the completion of annual audits.
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Accounting, required.
- Master's degree with a concentration in Finance or Accounting, preferred.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) required/preferred.
- At least ten years of experience in positions of increasing fiscal responsibility in non-profit or government accounting or control. Experience of Higher Education is preferable. At least three years of management of direct reports.
- Proficiency in non-profit accounting with a knowledge of GAAP. Familiarity with financial accounting standards and IRS rules and regulations, cash management skills, experience with complex integrated automated systems.
- Excellent planning, organizational, and coordination skills commensurate with oversight and evaluation responsibilities for a complex set of business and fiscal functions.
- Ability to effectively communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administration, staff, faculty, students, and external contacts.
- Financial experience in a major not-for-profit educational, research, scientific or engineering institution.
- Experience with Jenzabar (CARS), data querying tools (Cognos, Adaptive Insights, etc.), relational databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects. The individual in this role must be able to guide a team to complete milestones within, or advance of, stated deadlines.
- In-depth knowledge of principles, practices and theories related to budgeting and financial analysis in an ever-changing environment. Possess strong financial data analysis skills.
- Project management skills and the ability to design solutions for/communicate effectively with internal/external constituents are essential.
- Detail oriented and organized.
- Resume
- Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
Required Vaccinations:
Merrimack College currently has a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack's Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Augustinian mission, our Catholic faith and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries, and comprises schools of liberal arts, science and engineering, health sciences, education and social policy, and business. The College's 260-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master's Colleges & Universities/Medium Programs institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up U.S. News & World Report's ranking of Best Colleges, coming in 46th out of 170 schools ranked in the Regional Universities North category in 2020. Merrimack is also listed as one of the top 10 most innovative schools and placed 35th for best undergraduate teaching programs among schools in the U.S. News category.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.