Manager, Accounting

Overview

The Office of the University Controller safeguards the university's fiscal integrity and provides leadership in financial stewardship, reporting, and business operations in support of the university’s strategic mission and objectives as a leading national and international research institution.

Position: Manager, Accounting. Reports to the Director of University Accounting Operations and oversees complex accounting functions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance of financial statements, balance sheets, account reconciliations, and regulatory filings in accordance with GAAP, institutional policies, and applicable regulations.

Key responsibilities include directing month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities; reviewing quarterly balance sheet and activity analyses; evaluating monthly expense variance reporting; and ensuring the reliability of financial reporting produced by the accounting unit. The role provides governance on complex accounting matters (e.g., debt accounting, construction-in-process, federal loan activity, Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rates proposals) and serves as the primary managerial reviewer for related financial reporting.

The Manager, Accounting leads the accounting unit’s fixed asset, land, and building accounting processes, ensuring consistent application, compliance, and control across the asset lifecycle. This includes establishing expectations, reviewing results, and aligning with university policies and regulatory standards while delegating detailed transaction-level activities, reconciliations, and system administration to Lead Accountants and staff.

The position applies GAAP and institutional standards to assess accounting activity, evaluates internal controls, and directs corrective actions. The Manager oversees transaction processing, verification, and posting to the general ledger to safeguard financial records and mitigate risk. The role also evaluates procedures and controls and recommends enhancements to strengthen efficiency, compliance, and the control environment. Working with professional judgment, the Manager collaborates with the Director, campus partners, and external auditors to support financial stewardship.

The position serves as a managerial liaison, providing interpretation of accounting standards, resolving complex issues, and ensuring accounting operations support institutional objectives. This role provides formal supervision to accounting staff, makes hiring decisions, and oversees coaching, training, mentoring, performance, and staffing needs.

The Manager, Accounting supports the Office of the University Controller by ensuring production of accurate, timely, and auditable financial records. This position requires in-depth knowledge of accounting theory, principles, practices, systems, and terminology.

Performs other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude assignment of related duties.

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree or higher plus 4 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Certified Public Accountant
• Bachelor’s in Accounting or Business-related degree
• Exceptional proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with advanced functionality to analyze, interpret, and present complex data
• Experience with Oracle, FAS (Fixed Asset Software), and Lease Harbor
• Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance audit requirements, FAR provisions applicable to fixed assets, and federal student loan accounting and compliance requirements, including Single Audit and FISAP reporting
• Basic knowledge of AI-enabled productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) and ability to apply them to support routine accounting tasks
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities, attention to detail, and ability to…