"Director, Financial Reporting and Post-Award Accounting, Financial Services"

Job Description Summary

Wake Forest University seeks a highly skilled and experienced Director of Financial Reporting and Post Award Accounting to provide strategic financial leadership, emphasizing accurate and timely financial reporting and compliance related to federal and state grants. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Finance & Controller, the Director, Financial Reporting and Post-Award Accounting will ensure the accuracy and integrity of the University’s financial records, maintain strict adherence to all applicable regulations and standards, and provide expert financial analysis to support the University’s mission. A critical aspect of this role is the oversight of the external audits and federal grant processes and reporting, ensuring proper stewardship of funds.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Compliance:

• Direct the preparation and timely submission of all financial reports following GAAP, NACUBO, and other relevant standards as well as internal policies and procedures
• Manage the consolidation of the WFU entities, including coordination of subsidiary reporting and audits, production of interim and fiscal year-end financial statements
• Direct preparation and submission of internal and external financial surveys (eg, IPEDS, SACSCOC, US Census Bureau, ezAudit)
• Oversee all financial systems underlying the financial reporting and grant reporting process
• Coordinate all annual external financial audit processes, including coordination with external auditors and related subsidiaries
• Perform all necessary analysis for financial data presented in financial statements, compliance audits, and various surveys, to ensure accuracy
• Maintain and update accounting policies and procedures
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of all new accounting or regulatory standards within the areas of responsibility
• Completes monthly financial trend analysis regarding month over month and year over year variances and other dashboards as requested by University administrators, officers, Board of Trustees and external agencies.
• Prepares policies, administrative procedures, training and educational materials related to financial reporting and implements training programs for finance staff and the campus community.
• Maintain strong relationships with the external auditors, internal audit and compliance offices, senior business officers, business officers, and all subsidiary organizations

Grants Accounting and Compliance:

• Manage post-award activities to ensure that all deadlines are met and research accounts are handled in accordance with State, University, and sponsor policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations, including OMB Circulars (e.g., Uniform Guidance)
• Responsible for post-award sponsored research oversight to ensure that federal and agency policies and procedures governing post-award grant administration provide for accurate and timely tracking, reporting, and cash draws from sponsoring agencies.
• Maintain strong relationship with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (pre-award)
• Develop, implement, and provide training for the campus community on policies and procedures that properly administer and report grant funds.
• Monitor grant expenditures and ensure adherence to grant terms and conditions.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely financial reports to grantors.
• Direct the federal facilities & administrative (F&A) cost proposal preparation, responding to federal auditor questions and coordinating the University’s F&A negotiations.
• Direct the annual federal pooled fringe rate calculation, communication with external consultants and federal representatives as well as internal with stakeholders
• Monitors and implements changes in grant accounting, regulations, and compliance requirements impacting higher education.
• Directly responsible for all federal, state, or sponsored research program audit(s), including correcting audit materials, responding to auditor inquiries, and finalizing the program audit(s).

Technology and Systems:

• Evaluate and implement accounting software and systems.
• Ensure the integrity and security of financial data.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Serve as a key member of the finance leadership team.
• Collaborate with other departments to provide financial guidance.
• Represent the finance department in university-wide initiatives

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management, preferably in higher education.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, NACUBO, and OMB Circulars.
• Proven experience in managing financial audits and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team and manage complex projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in accounting software and systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience in Higher Education accounting.
• Knowledge of and technical proficiency with accounting systems and related applications.
• Experience with Workday ERP.
• Experience working with grant management software, and donor management software is a plus.

Accountabilities:

• Supervises, reviews, and oversees work of less-experienced staff.
• Provides direct supervision to Financial Reporting and Post-Award Sponsored Research staff.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement: Full time. Note to Applicant: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor. In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment. Equal Opportunity Statement: The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status. Accommodations for Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.