Assistant Vice President of Finance
About Russell Sage College
Russell Sage College is a dynamic, comprehensive college which serves traditional students and working professionals who pursue bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campuses in Troy and Albany, NY. Many online programs are also offered. Creating one of the region's largest private higher education institutions with the broadest catalog of programs in the health professions and strong programs in education, business, criminal justice, the sciences, pre-med, pre-health, and arts and humanities, Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) plan to merge. Russell Sage and ACPHS will collaborate over the next several years to create a plan to merge their academic portfolios and develop a facilities and people strategy, addressing workforce needs.
Russell Sage College offers its faculty and staff the opportunity to make a difference every day - in the lives of students and the future of our communities.
Job Description
Overview
The Assistant Vice President of Finance (AVP) reports to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The AVP is responsible for supervising Finance department staff and activity; providing leadership over financial management and reporting; and establishing an effective internal controls framework through accounting policies and procedures to ensure Russell Sage College's financial resources and systems are utilized prudently and in compliance with external financial regulations. The AVP serves as a working manager for a broad range of financial and support operations, including controller functions, auditing, budgeting, and investment management. In the period leading up to the anticipated completion of the merger with ACPHS on or about July 1, 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, the AVP will be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues across both institutions to advance shared priorities, support strategic alignment, and ensure a thoughtful and effective transition.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the senior advisor on all matters related to the financial reporting of the College.
- Serve as the liaison for the College's external audit firm, external investment managers, tax and financial consultants, actuaries, and bankers.
- Oversee accounting (including accounts payable, collections, and procurement), budget, and payroll functions of the College.
- Coordinate the annual audit of the College's financial statements, including review of work papers and financial statements.
- Coordinate and prepare the College's federal tax returns (annual forms 990 and 5500).
- Assure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards.
- Assure compliance with federal and state regulations, including tax compliance.
- Develop, implement, and maintain accounting, reporting, data, and internal control systems responsive to the College's managerial and fiduciary needs.
- Prepare financial reports and detailed financial analysis. Provide forecasting and modeling for projects as directed by the Vice President.
- Manage the development, implementation, and revision of the College's accounting policies and procedures. Conduct internal audits and notify the Vice President of any suspected irregularities against approved policies and procedures.
- Manage treasury functions daily.
- Assist with budget development, implementation, and monitoring.
- Oversee long-term debt repayment schedules and equipment lease programs.
- Provide financial consult on all major grants and manage financial requirements of construction projects.
- Oversee administration of retirement plans for compliance and management of audit.
- Review the quarterly reconciliation of endowment and life income funds, including the distribution of income and unit share calculations.
- Conduct and/or supervise training for all functions of the Finance office. Assist other College departments with financial transactions and analysis.
- Facilitate team building and staff development.
- Partner with the College's Management Information System (MIS) department to ensure the technology needs of the Finance office are met in a cost-effective manner.
- Assist the Vice President with reporting and analysis for various Board of Trustees committees and subcommittees in the areas of finance/organizational sustainability, audit, and investment.
The estimated salary range is between $130,000 and $140,000 per year for 40 hours per week for 52 weeks.
Requirements
Qualifications
This position requires a finance professional whose background is characterized by initiative, leadership, well-refined organization skills, and proven expertise in the field of financial management. The successful candidate will be an individual who wants to make a difference and actively participate in the long-range goals of Russell Sage College.
This position requires:
- A bachelor's degree and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license
- A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible and related experience, preferably in higher education
- Broad-based experience in finance and accounting, financial reporting, and endowment management
- A demonstrated record of effective financial management
- An ability to effectively present information, develop new programs, maintain high quality services, and leverage information technology to perform responsibilities
Skills
- Extensive knowledge of fiscal management, financial reporting, nonprofit and gift accounting, and fiscal forecasting and planning within a college or university setting.
- Experience in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Substantial experience and demonstrated competence in the use of financial reporting/modeling tools, financial reporting requirements at the state and federal levels, and conceptualizing and implementing business and operational efficiencies within an organization.
- Ability to collaborate effectively and communicate tactfully with the College community.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!
