William Paterson University invites applications for the full-time position of Finance Manager.

Reporting to the Associate Controller, the Finance Manager has supervisory responsibility of two financial analysts and a team of three student accountant interns. This position is involved with all areas of General Accounting, including the recording, analysis and reporting of all financial activities that feed into the general ledger. This position is responsible for the timely and accurate deliverables as established by the Associate Controller, for effective delegation and training to the positions supervised, for ensuring adequate knowledge and expertise is maintained/applied by direct reports, and for meaningful contributions towards a cross-trained team in General Accounting.

For more information visit https://www.wpunj.edu/office-of-the-controller/ 

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Proactive engagement in year-end processes including closing of the books, financial statement preparation and the annual audit.
• Maintain current and firm understanding of accounting principles, in particular (but not limited to) GAAP and GASB relevant to higher education and public universities.
• Develop and maintain a firm working knowledge of Uniform Guidance and other compliance rules for grants. Participate in the annual Single Audit cycle, including preparation and/or review of the SEFA and SESA schedules required in the Single Audit report.
• Establish and oversee successful procedures for achieving timely effort certification processes.
• Establish month-to-month deliverable schedules for direct reports. Supervise the progress and ensure direct reports stay on track with the schedule, also engage in trouble-shooting as needed to keep team running smoothly.
• Ensure all work is adequately documented and audit-worthy.
• Oversee periodic reconciliations of those areas as assigned by the Associate Controller. These areas may include (and may change from time to time): cash and investments, receivables, fixed assets, payroll taxes, other liabilities, debt, fund balances, revenues and expenses.
• Interact in a proactive and effective way with other University departments to ensure productive communication and working relationships.
• Establish a schedule of external reporting and compliance requirements, along with the work plans to fulfill those requirements. This role must develop a firm understanding of the requirements, then establish the procedures for reporting at a level that can be reasonably delegated and supervised.
• Fixed asset accounting including tagging, capitalization and depreciation. Supervise periodic verification and updates records as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource to the University community on transaction and accounting related matters.
• Performs other duties as assigned and appropriate to the position.                                       

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or business with a minimum of 18 accounting credits.
• Advanced Proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel

Additional, preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting or business and/or CPA is preferred
• Two years’ experience in an accounting environment; experience in an institution of higher education is preferred.
• Experience in SAS or other reporting tools.
• Knowledge of either Banner or Workday finance preferred.

Attributes and traits

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats. 
• Ability to prioritize work and meet agreed upon staggered deadlines.
• Capable of effectively managing both strategic and tactical aspects of a project.