Assistant Vice President of Finance & Business Services

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Assistant Vice President of Finance & Business Services is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Vice President of Finance & Administration (VPFA) & CFO. This position oversees all accounting, payroll, and business service activities. The Assistant Vice President of Finance & Business Services provides support for the Otis Board of Trustee’s Audit Committee as staff liaison, participates in the Investment Committee decisions and acts as advisory for the Finance & Risk Committee. A critical function of this position is to ensure that fiscal systems and procedures are in place to support effective internal controls and program implementation.

The Assistant Vice President of Finance & Business Services works closely in managing Accounting & Business Office, Student Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payable & Purchasing Team personnel. The position also supports the VPFA in supporting academic program chairs, budget officers and managers to ensure proper application of the College’s business & financial procedures and support academic program fiscal operations. In addition, the Assistant Vice President of Finance & Business Services will partner with the VPFA to support the fiscal management of Elaine’s food services operations. They will also work within each of the Senior Team’s areas of responsibility to enhance and ensure interdepartmental goals. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Finance & Administration.

CORE DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage and oversee the day-to-day functions of Business Office, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Purchasing.

Collaborate and participate with the VPFA and Director of Budget & Planning in board relation functions which include updates on audit, investments, tuition strategy, setting budget plans.

Oversees all accounting and reporting to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), regulatory requirements and other best accounting and business practices.

Maintains internal control and safeguards.

Coordinates all annual financial audit and tax activity including Form 990

Regularly analyzes financial data and presents financial reports in an accurate and timely manner.

Clearly communicates monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.

Develop and improve the administration of financial aid and student accounts services to support better student facing experience in receivables, collections, disbursement of aid, while maintaining adherence to changing State and Federal financial aid laws, including Title IV Regulations.

Oversees all financial, project/program and grants accounting; ensures that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period.

Oversees College cash flow forecasting and treasury management.

Tracks the performance of investments in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.

Leads the review of processes and their integration with the ERP/Banner Finance, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable & Financial Aid system. Ensures the optimization of the system in support of forward-looking processes.

Provides leadership to strengthen internal and external communication and creates a collegial office environment in support of the mission of Otis College of Art and Design

Performs other related duties as assigned. Must be responsive to work-related phone calls and emails during non-business hours on occasion.

REQUIRED SKILLS and EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required, in accounting (preferred) or a related field required.

CPA license preferred.

At least five to seven years of accounting leadership

Strong proficiency and work experience with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) information systems, Prophix Reporting & SAP Concur for Accounts Payable

Results-oriented leadership with success in managing an accounting team.

Strong analytical skills with ability to utilize data in decision making.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to foster a cooperative work environment and inspire staff.

Demonstrated experience in and a commitment to diversity; the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with various constituencies within Otis’s diverse communities, internally and externally.

Must be able to work efficiently, cooperatively, and collaboratively in a team environment.

Flexible and willing to adapt to changes in the work environment.

Strong problem-solving skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

Experience with Ellucian’s Banner system is preferred.

MBA in Finance/Accounting or CPA Preferred