"Assistant Director of Accounting"

Assistant Director of Accounting

Bring your GAAP, audit, and tax expertise to a mission-driven public university system where your work supports financial reporting and compliance requirements for all seven campuses. As Assistant Director of Accounting for the University of Maine System (UMS), you will be a key financial leader and the system’s primary tax compliance expert, with visible impact across students, faculty, and staff statewide.

The Assistant Director of Accounting is part of the UMS Controller’s Office, a collaborative, service-oriented team that supports the financial stewardship of all seven universities in the System. The office partners closely with campus finance leaders to ensure accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and responsive support for strategic decision-making.

As Assistant Director of Accounting, you will blend hands-on technical accounting excellence with team leadership. You will oversee the integrity of the UMS chart of accounts and general ledger, supervise and develop a professional accounting team, serve as a trusted advisor to campus and system leadership on complex accounting and tax matters, and be critical to the preparation and issuance of the annual financial report.

You will also lead systemwide tax compliance in areas such as sales and use tax, unrelated business income tax, nonresident alien taxation, student tuition statements, and other specialized reporting, including research, policy development, and training.

This position is located on the University of Maine at Augusta's Bangor campus with a regular Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule. Hybrid or remote work options are negotiable.

What You Will Do

• Own the integrity of the UMS chart of accounts and general ledger, including approving new chart field values and overseeing key financial controls.
• Lead and develop Accounting Department staff, providing direction, mentoring, and performance management.
• Direct the year-end general ledger close and prepare comprehensive GAAP-based annual financial statements, including notes and required supplementary information.
• Coordinate and manage the annual external financial statement audits, from planning through successful completion.
• Serve as a go-to expert for campus and system leaders, answering questions on complex accounting and tax issues and translating technical guidance into clear, practical recommendations.
• Lead UMS tax compliance, including research, policy development, training, and filings for sales and use tax, unrelated business income tax, nonresident alien taxation, student tuition reporting, and specialized information returns.
• Act as a key partner on policy, standards, and system enhancements, working closely with the Director of Accounting, IT, and other stakeholders.

Please review the Assistant Director of Accounting job description for more information.

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $126,300, commensurate with experience.

The University of Maine System offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes (but is not limited to):

• 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation and sick time
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance
• Tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents (spouse, domestic partner, and dependent children)
• 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution

To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary.

Who We Are Seeking

We are seeking a collaborative accounting leader who enjoys complex GAAP, audit, and tax work and takes pride in mentoring staff and partnering with colleagues across a large, mission-driven organization.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
• Five or more years of experience preparing or auditing GAAP-based financial statements, including management’s discussion and analysis, notes to the financial statements, and required supplementary information.
• Two or more years of supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to lead, delegate, and prioritize.
• Tax preparation and research expertise.
• Advanced working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Exceptional professional judgement and decision-making ability.
• Superior analytical skills with ability to interpret complex financial documents, extract key insights, and communicate technical concepts to non-financial audiences.
• Strong research and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills across all formats and audiences.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with proven ability to build collaborative relationships, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and foster trust with campus partners, auditors, and external agencies.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while meeting critical deadlines and maintaining accuracy.
• Working knowledge of computerized financial reporting systems and ability to effectively use various reporting tools.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word or similar applications.
• Strong understanding of segregation of duties and other internal controls.

Preferred:

• Certified Public Accountant.
• Three or more years of public accounting experience.
• Advanced working knowledge of GASB standards in higher education settings.
• Working knowledge of fund accounting.
• Experience with accounting operations in large, complex, multi-location organizations.
• Working knowledge of higher education tax matters.
• Hands-on experience with complex enterprise systems such as PeopleSoft or comparable platforms, report writing tools, and data base concepts.
• Experience developing and delivering training.
• Experience with Microsoft OneDrive, Sharepoint, and Power BI.
• Experience using artificial intelligence tools.

How to Apply

Materials must be submitted via “Apply Now” below. You will need to complete an application and upload the following:

• A cover letter that describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position.
• A resume/curriculum vitae.

Important items to know about the recruitment process

• Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and will remain open until filled.
• Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
• Incomplete application materials cannot be considered.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide three (3) names and contact information for references.
• The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screenings.
• Please Note: We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship now or in the future.