Director of Accounting

Director Of Accounting

The University of New Haven, founded in 1920, is a private university whose mission is to prepare students to excel and lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a global society. The university offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs and has been recognized for academic excellence, nationally and internationally. In addition to its main campus in West Haven, the university has a campus in Tuscany, Italy.

The Director of Accounting provides leadership and oversight for the University's accounting and accounts payable operations. This position is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the general ledger, overseeing the quarterly and annual close processes, ensuring timely and accurate account reconciliations, direct and manage the annual financial statement audit, Federal Uniform Guidance audit, Connecticut State Single audit, and maintaining effective internal controls over accounting and disbursement activities. The Director supervises staff within Accounting and Accounts Payable and works collaboratively with departments across the University to ensure transactions are recorded and processed in accordance with University policy, GAAP, donor and grant restrictions, and applicable regulatory requirements. This position also assists with the Business Office's, Tax and Treasury functions in a hands-on manner.

You will:

• Work closely with the Associate Vice President for Finance in planning, developing and implementing a sound financial control environment.
• Oversee the University's general accounting operations, including journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, debt activity, endowment-related accounting entries, restricted fund activity, and other recurring or non-recurring accounting transactions.
• Responsible for managing the quarterly, and year-end close processes to ensure financial information is complete, accurate, and prepared on a timely basis. Establish close calendars, assign responsibilities, review workpapers, and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained, and perform strategic variance analysis.
• Assist with financial reporting related to net assets, endowment funds, contributions, capital assets, debt, leases, accrued liabilities, operating results, and other areas relevant to higher education financial statements.
• Serve as a primary liaison to external auditors for accounting and AP-related areas. Coordinate audit requests, prepare schedules, review staff submissions, and ensure audit documentation is accurate and complete.
• Support the preparation of the University's annual financial statements, footnotes, schedules, Annual Financial Report and supporting documentation.
• Responsible for actively managing the Treasury functions and safeguarding University cash.
• Responsible for preparation of annual Form 990 tax return
• Recommend, draft and implement policies and procedures related to the University and Business Office operations.
• Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures as well as State, Federal, GAAP and FASB accounting and regulatory issues.
• Develops, implements and monitors organizational goals and objectives.
• Review and make recommendations for changes to improve operational effectiveness.
• Ensure proper implementation of technology concerning fiscal or accounting systems.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the Accounts Payable function, including invoice processing, vendor payments, employee reimbursements, check/ACH/wire payments, vendor setup, 1099 reporting, and AP-related compliance.
• Partner with Purchasing and campus departments to resolve purchase order, invoice, receiving, contract, and payment issues.
• Monitor AP aging, open encumbrances where applicable, outstanding checks, payment exceptions, vendor disputes, and recurring payment obligations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President for Finance.

You need:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration required.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of related accounting experience with at least three (3) years in a supervisory capacity required.
• An MBA or CPA license with knowledge of fund accounting in a higher education environment Preferred.
• Experience with fund accounting, restricted funds, endowments, grants, capital projects, and financial statement preparation.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Ellucian's Banner is preferred, or other systems such as Workday, or PeopleSoft.
• Experience with AP automation, document imaging, workflow approvals, ACH/wire controls, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of NACUBO reporting concepts and nonprofit financial reporting standards.
• Strong technical accounting judgment.
• High attention to detail.
• Strong supervisory and staff development skills.
• Ability to explain accounting and policy matters clearly to non-finance users.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to improve processes without weakening controls.
• Strong sense of confidentiality, ethics, and stewardship.
• Ability to operate effectively during peak periods such as year-end close, audit, budget cycles, and major system changes.

What's in it for you:

• Health & Welfare Programs: Employees and their eligible family members, including spouses and dependent are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Programs.
• Wellness & Fitness: On-campus Recreation and Fitness Center for employees and families; Employee Assistant Program
• Commitment to Educational Excellence: Tuition assistance for employees and eligible dependents; Tuition exchange opportunities
• Employee Discounts on products, services and educational opportunities
• Work/Life Benefits: Generous paid time off programs; progressive paid holiday schedule (including holiday break between Christmas and New Year's); 4 weeks of parental paid leave; flexible work schedules including summer hours where applicable

*The University of New Haven is not a qualifying E-Verify employer and its use of E-Verify is limited to specific government projects. For that reason, candidates with STEM OPT authorization cannot be considered for employment.