Director, Accounting & Finance; AS

Job no: 562819 Work type:
Auxiliary

Location:

Northridge Categories:
Excluded, Administrative, At-Will, Finance/Accounting, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

AS operates across a diverse portfolio that includes student organizations and funding, the Children’s Center, Ticket Office, Outdoor Adventures, Sport Clubs, Sustainability, Productions, scholarships, transportation programs, and student leadership. Its operations span multiple revenue streams, programs, and stakeholder groups, creating a sophisticated financial environment well beyond a traditional student-government organization.

The organization manages more than $11 million in annual revenue and directs the majority of its resources toward programs, services, and infrastructure that directly support students.

The Director, Accounting & Finance will serve as the senior financial leader for Associated Students, with broad responsibility for accounting, financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, controls, compliance, investments, systems, and long-term financial strategy.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director will serve as a key member of the AS management team and a trusted advisor to executive leadership, the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, student leaders, department heads, and university stakeholders.

This is a leadership opportunity with CFO-level breadth
. The role is designed to elevate the finance function beyond day-to-day accounting by strengthening the team, modernizing processes and systems, improving financial visibility and accountability, and providing strategic insight to support the organization’s continued development.

The opportunity is particularly well suited to a Controller, Director of Finance, Assistant CFO, or smaller-organization CFO who wants broader organizational influence and the ability to build and shape a finance function.

• Lead the Accounting & Finance function and ensure the overall financial integrity of AS.
• Oversee accounting, AP/AR, purchasing, cash management, investments, financial analysis, and financial reporting.
• Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the Executive Director, Board, Finance Committee, and organizational leadership.
• Develop financial strategies supporting organizational priorities, capital needs, and long-term sustainability.
• Monitor financial performance, identify trends and risks, and recommend appropriate actions.

• Lead the annual organizational budgeting process and ongoing forecasting.
• Partner with department leaders to establish budgets, monitor performance, analyze variances, and improve accountability.
• Advise leadership on the financial implications of new initiatives, programs, and investments.
• Ensure operations remain aligned with approved budgets while maintaining flexibility to support evolving student priorities.

• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, annual, and management financial reporting.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, policies, and financial procedures.
• Oversee annual, internal, and external audits and implement resulting recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable CSU, local, state, and federal requirements, including tax and grant obligations.
• Oversee purchasing policies, cash management, investments, and financial systems.
• Lead improvements to financial processes, reporting, automation, and systems.
• Lead, develop, and empower the Accounting & Finance team.
• Strengthen team capabilities through coaching, professional development, effective delegation, and clear accountability.
• Build a collaborative, engaged, and service-oriented finance organization.
• Establish the…