Director, Accounting
Job Description
Position Title: Director, Accounting
Department: Finance Office
Advertised Pay: Mid $80K
Campus Location: Washburn University
The screening committee will review all eligible applications submitted by November 29, 2024
Position Summary: Washburn University is a student-centered public institution with a diverse population. Washburn is a 2024 best college to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program. Located in the heart of Topeka, we are proud to be a cornerstone of the community. Our mission is to provide opportunities for our students to realize their full potential; we can’t do it without our dedicated faculty and staff. Join us at Washburn, and you will be part of a long tradition of excellence.
Washburn employs more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka. We strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation.
The Director of Accounting performs professional accounting duties and prepares for month-end and year-end closing procedures, including the annual audit. Assists the Assistant Vice President Finance with oversight of the University’s daily accounting and Finance office operations.
- Responsible for maintaining a healthy, fair, and inclusive work environment by promoting diversity, exercising teamwork, and collaboration. Actively promote a professional workplace culture of mutual respect and collegiality for all members of the institution. Work to build positive and cooperative relationships with staff, encouraging them to work toward individual and departmental goals.
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate the performance of assigned staff. Areas of supervision include payroll, accounts payable, general and grant accounting.
- Assist with developing and maintaining accounting policies, procedures and controls per sound accounting principles, applicable regulations, laws, and best practices. Oversee general accounting functions, financial reporting, audits, accounts payable, grants, contracts accounting and tax compliance. Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and university policies and procedures.
- Execute an internal control system and process that ensures successful audits to allow Washburn to continue receiving state and federal funds and be a responsible steward of others’ monies.
- Compile and analyze financial data and develop financial reports to apprise members of the Washburn University Board of Regents (WUBOR) of the University’s financial position. Submit prepared reports before board meetings for review, proofing, and modification.
- Coordinate preparation of schedules and reports required for the University’s Annual Audit. Assign completion of schedules and due dates to appropriate staff. Review completed schedules to verify accuracy. Prepare certain schedules including financial statements and submit for review. Compile completed schedules into the audit report for distribution to the WUBOR and other stakeholders.
- Review and analyze new GASB accounting pronouncements to identify those that affect the University, determine their impact, and develop recommendations to assist with implementation.
- Schedule and handle all year-end closing procedures, including general ledger roll and encumbrance rollover to the new fiscal year
- Prepare schedules for annual 990T tax return and coordinate filing of return with auditors.
- Compile data and prepare special reports and analyses as requested or appropriate for inclusion in surveys and other external reports.
- Provide information such as general ledger account balances and explain accounting transactions as requested to assist with budget management and departments’ record reconciliation. Research records to assist with resolving accounting issues and discrepancies at the department level.
- Monitor bank account and Municipal Investment Pool (MIP) balances and make transfers between accounts consistent with cash needs to maintain positive cash balances and maximize return on cash and cash equivalents. Make transfers to MIP for semi-annual debt service payments.
- Develop and maintain a cash requirements forecasting model to ensure that sufficient cash is available to allow the University to meet its financial obligations.
- Monitor and report on spending on annual capital and equipment projects to keep administrators apprised of financial issues relative to ongoing projects. Prepare quarterly billing to the foundation for capital projects as needed.
- Analyze purchases of capital assets to determine proper accounting for such purchases. Enter assets to be capitalized into the appropriate software program, run the annual depreciation process at year-end, and complete year-end workpapers on fixed assets.
- Oversee staff that reconciles, investigates, and corrects discrepancies in the operating and payroll bank accounts, outstanding checks, positive pay system, and remits unclaimed property to the state.
- Direct and assist staff with fund and account reconciliations, foundation billing, and general accounting questions.
- Supervise and guide staff about Federal laws affecting grant expenditures, reporting requirements, payroll payment issues and guidance on IRS payroll law, and ensure all tax payments and reports are filed timely
- Serve as an accounting resource to staff as needed.
- Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a comparable field.
- Three years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated effective ability to work with minimal direction, adapt to change and work well in a team environment.
- Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
- Masters degree (MBA, MAcc, or equivalent).
- CPA, CMA, or CIA certification.
- Five or more years of related experience.
- Higher education accounting, reporting, and analysis experience.
- Familiarity with GASB accounting and reporting rules (especially for colleges/universities or other business-type activities).
- Experience using a large integrated ERP system such as Banner or PeopleSoft.
- At least two years of supervisory experience.
Full-time, Exempt, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Background Check Required
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