Deputy CFO, Budget and Finance

Witt Kieffer is pleased to partner with Rochester Institute of Technology to find its Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Budget and Finance. This is an exciting opportunity at a leading private research university distinguished by its integration of technology, the arts, and design.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Deputy CFO for Budget and Finance will serve as the university's principal accounting and financial planning officer. They will serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees. The Deputy CFO will lead an organization of more than 100 professionals, responsible for budgeting, financial planning and reporting, general accounting, treasury and cash management, endowment and gift accounting, debt management, payroll and accounts payable, procurement, student financial services, sponsored programs post-award administration, and tax compliance.

• Oversee preparation of the university's external financial statements, IRS Form 990 and 990-T, endowment reporting, financial surveys, year-end projections, and ratio analyses, including debt capacity. Ensure compliance with GAAP, the Internal Revenue Code, state tax regulations, sponsored programs requirements, and federal and state student financial aid programs, including Title IV.
• Prepare and deliver periodic reporting to the Risk and Audit and Finance and Infrastructure Committees of the Board of Trustees and support the Conflict of Interest Committee with procurement information as required.
• Direct treasury operations, cash management, debt management, endowment and gift accounting, and planned giving administration. Serve on the RIT Retirement Plan Investment Committee and participate in the RIT Venture Fund Advisory Committee.
• Lead university procurement, including capital projects, ensuring that purchasing initiatives align with RIT's strategic plan and reflect the highest ethical standards and sound fiscal stewardship.
• Oversee timekeeping, payroll, accounts payable, and employee reimbursement processes, ensuring regulatory compliance and timely, accurate payments to employees, students, and suppliers.
• Oversee the budget and financial planning efforts on the development of the university's operating and capital budgets, long-range financial forecasting, and financial analysis of academic programs and strategic initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree required; CPA and/or a master's degree in accounting, finance, or business (MS or MBA) strongly preferred.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial management, and administration, with leadership accountability to senior management.
• Experience in higher education is highly preferred, with proficiency in higher education accounting, fund accounting, and complex financial reporting and analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP, federal and state tax compliance, sponsored programs administration, and federal student financial aid regulations.
• A proven record of successful project and financial system implementations, preferably within a large enterprise system environment, as well as experience leading, developing, and supervising a large, diverse, and highly qualified professional staff.
• Significant knowledge of budget models and ability to execute sophisticated financial planning efforts and experience presenting to and engaging with boards of trustees, audit committees, or comparable governing bodies.

Salary Range:
The anticipated salary range for this role is $250,000-$350,000, commensurate with experience. Highly qualified candidates who require compensation above the advertised range will be considered on a case by case basis.

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check.

Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,…