Director financial and compliance

Full job description

Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

Special Information

• This position is a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation.
• This position is posted as Director, Financial Reporting Analysis and Compliance, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Assistant Comptroller.

Job Description

Directs and supervises the work of financial administration personnel and the quality of financial reporting, internal controls, and transactional accounting to ensure the accuracy of the university’s financial information and university compliance with policies, regulations, and laws. Leads design, development and delivery of financial reporting & analysis improvements enabling leadership to understand the underlying monetary drivers of the organization and aid decision making to improve organizational financial performance.

Supervision - 30%

• Typically directs the activities of staff and supervises a team that includes multiple supervisors; coaches, mentors, and motivates staff; defines work goals and standards.
• Provides both qualitative and quantitative reviews of complex work completed by team members across the Comptroller organization to ensure delivery of accurate accounting and reporting of university funds, and institutional compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Oversees ongoing financial report design, reporting process development, and delivery of meaningful financial insights.
• Provides substantial input for performance and rewards decisions; has significant influence over employment decisions; allocates resources across functional areas; approves resource use decisions.
• Applies proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning, and goal development; has advanced knowledge and skills across multiple areas or functions.

Financial Reporting and Business Intelligence - 30%

• Directs staff to support proper accounting, financial analysis, report production, and opportunity identification.
• Leads analysis and development of efficient analytical models and business processes enabling automated financial reporting & analysis, and data visualization solutions.
• Ensures federal, state, Arizona Board of Regents, Internal Revenue Service, and other institutional reporting requirements are completed accurately, consistently, and on time.
• Oversees and participates in the collection, analysis, and presentation of institutional and/or comparative data that are used to support and enhance business process development, policy formation and delivery of strategy.
• Provides analytical information to executive leadership and the university community to assist and inform institutional decision-making.
• Serves as advisor to management on fiscal matters; prepares regular financial reports for leadership.

Financial Controls and Compliance - 20%

• Oversees the development and maintenance of financial policy including drafting, communication, and interpretation policy, and manages the financial compliance function.
• Maintains and evaluates internal controls and key processes to ensure effective and accurate use, accounting, and reporting of university funds.
• Applies institutional standards, policies, and guidelines to ensure adherence with internal financial controls and external policy and process requirements for support of university financial functions and compliance expectations.
• Ensures compliance with the laws and regulations of federal, state, and other governing bodies to avoid financial penalties and institutional brand damage.

Financial Transaction and Business Process Management - 10%

• Provides oversight and direction to the Travel Reimbursement processing function to ensure operational effectiveness and ensure the department is meeting University departmental needs.
• Oversees current and future finance business processes and works with the Comptroller Business Intelligence & Analysis team to implement innovative solutions to drive efficiency in and streamline institutional processes.
• Identifies systematic inefficiencies across the organization related to financial services, and partners with central functional offices to creatively solve operational issues.

University Wide Collaboration - 5%

• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with other NAU offices to ensure accurate and timely responses to projects involving financial process, policy, systems, and reporting.

Other - 5%

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related field.
• 5-7 years of accounting or finance experience.
• 3-5 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in accounting, finance, or related field
• Accounting/finance experience in higher education
• CPA, CMA

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Proven knowledge of principles, practices, procedures, and techniques used in business analysis, project management, financial reporting, and business intelligence.
• Expert knowledge of financial administration tools, procedures, processes, policies, and concepts.
• Knowledge of budget control systems and electronic data processing.
• Knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting/budgeting in higher education.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and demonstrated ability to produce complex financial reports including summary information, as well as high-level interpretations and conclusions, and to effectively engage with functional and technical teams.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skill; strong problem solving and critical thinking skills; strategic decision-making skills, and evidence of independent thinking.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, able to collaborate with a diverse population, and ability to relate well with broad spectrum of campus community members including faculty, staff, and senior administrators.
• Skill in detailed and complex numerical computations and reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, coordinate and direct multiple projects and activities with varied deadlines; ensure the utmost discretion and sound judgement in all matters.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise and lead a highly talented technical and functional team.
• Coaches and mentors others; trains staff.
• Communicates effectively.
• Actively listens.
• Analyzes complex situations and anticipates issues.
• Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.

Background Information

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Salary range begins at $110,180. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline

April 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at , , or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Know Your Rights Poster

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.