Director of Financial Accounting & Reporting

Job Summary

The Director of Financial Accounting and Reporting provides operational leadership and technical expertise for the university's financial accounting, reporting, and general ledger functions within the Finance division. Reporting to the Assistant Controller for Financial Accounting and Reporting, this position oversees core accounting operations, supervises key accounting and financial reporting staff, and ensures the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of institutional financial data.

Responsibilities

The duties include, but are not limited to:

Department Leadership and Operational Management

• Provide operational leadership for the Financial Accounting and Reporting unit to ensure effective execution of accounting operations, reporting processes, and financial system activities.
• Supervise the Accounting Manager and Manager of Financial Information Systems and Reporting.
• Monitor departmental workloads and ensure appropriate allocation of responsibilities across accounting, asset, and financial systems teams.
• Assign and coordinate work activities across teams to support financial accounting, reporting, and financial system operations.
• Plan, coordinate, and ensure successful execution of departmental projects and initiatives.
• Ensure cross-training and operational coverage for critical accounting functions.
• Assist with personnel management, including coaching, performance evaluations, and resolution of personnel issues.
• Develop and maintain business procedures, process documentation, and job aids to ensure consistent and compliant financial processes.
• Support the Assistant Controller in maintaining strong internal controls and effective accounting operations across the department

General Ledger, Accounting Operations and Financial Data

• Provide oversight and direction for accounting operations to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the university's general ledger and financial data.
• Oversee general ledger activities including review of journal entries, reconciliations, and subsystem journal integration.
• Review and approve accounting entries, reconciliations, and financial transactions prepared by accounting staff.
• Monitor accounting transactions from financial subsystems including accounts payable, travel and expense, and other modules.
• Ensure accounting transactions comply with GASB standards.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies or financial system issues affecting the general ledger.
• Maintain internal controls, data validation processes, and segregation of duties within accounting system.

Financial Information Systems and Asset Accounting Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for financial system administration, reporting tools, and asset-related accounting processes.
• Oversee the financial system administration and system security and ensure financial system functions, data management activities, and asset accounting processes are accurate and compliant.
• Monitor system security processes, user access, segregation of duties, and system audits.
• Oversee testing and implementation of system upgrades, enhancements, and reporting tools.
• Ensure appropriate training resources and documentation for finance staff and campus users regarding financial systems and asset accounting processes.

Financial Reporting and Compliance

• Support preparation and review of institutional financial reports and regulatory submissions.
• Assist in preparation and review of schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for annual financial statements.
• Review staff-prepared financial reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Assist with federal, state, and system-level reporting requirements.
• Support analysis and preparation of financial data for institutional reporting and data requests.

Financial System Implementation and Optimization

• Provide functional and operational support for implementation and stabilization of the university's enterprise financial system.
• Serve as a key operational resource during Workday implementation.
• Provide subject matter expertise to inform system configuration, workflow design, and reporting structures.
• Assist with development and validation of financial data structures, including chart of accounts, worktags, and reporting hierarchies.
• Support financial data conversion, validation, and reconciliation during system migration.
• Participate in system testing to ensure accurate transactions, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Develop documentation, job aids, and training resources for staff.
• Lead operational stabilization of accounting and reporting processes post go-

Audit Support and Internal Control Compliance

• Assist the Assistant Controller, the primary liaison with external auditors and the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.
• Coordinate preparation of audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of audit requests.
• Review financial data and ledgers for accuracy prior to audit.

Special Projects and Institutional Support

• Provide accounting expertise and operational support for institutional financial initiatives.
• Support departmental and institutional initiatives led by the Assistant Controller or senior finance leadership.
• Participate in projects involving financial reporting improvements, policy updates, or system enhancements.

Other duties

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Finance division.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 5 years of managerial experience in finance.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Experience

Demonstrated experience using PeopleSoft Financials, Workday or similar complex financial systems in a higher education, public research university, or other public-sector organization.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Strong technical knowledge of financial accounting, reporting processes, and internal controls in accordance with GAAP and GASS standards.
• Knowledge of State of Georgia, University System of Georgia (USG)/Board of Regents, and institutional financial policies.
• Ability to manage and support enterprise financial systems, including system upgrades, implementations, and release testing.
• Ability to research, troubleshoot, and resolve complex financial system issues within ERP systems such as PeopleSoft and Workday.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting processes, reconciliations, and preparation of institutional financial statements.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for financial analysis and reporting.
• Ability to effectively utilize enterprise financial systems and relational databases to support financial reporting and data analysis.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and document financial policies, procedures, and business processes.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective financial guidance and service to campus stakeholders and leadership.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days/M-F (work outside of the normal business hours will likely be required of an employee in an exempt level position)

Pay Band: 17

Salary: Minimum $109,500.00/Annually

Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position

Recruitment Period: 4/27/26 - Until Filled