Director of Accounting

This is an exciting new leadership opportunity at Maryville. The right person for this role is an expert accountant, experienced leader and demonstrated problem solver. They appreciate new challenges and will drive process improvement, accuracy in financial reporting and repeatability. They value rigor in reconciliation and are not intimidated by untangling a stale or complicated process and putting it back together in a cleaner, more efficient way. 
Responsibilities include:

• Redesign, implement and manage an accurate efficient monthly close process for the University.
• Review or participate in reconciliation of key accounts within the general ledger such as student accounts receivable, tuition revenue and related accruals, endowment and related investments, grants and related receivables, restricted fund activity, long term debt, and other complex accounts.
• Champions process improvement and efficiency. Constantly evaluates department processes and tools and works to implement change effectively.
• Implements new financial reporting tools and maintains accuracy and timelines of  regularly cadenced reporting within these tools.
• Collaborates with Controller and Budget Manager to prepare regular projections (forecasts). Analyze various accounts against budget to identify trends and predict where the year will end. Assists with preparation and review of board reports related to regular projections.
• Manages external audits and preparation of Form 990 and related tax schedules. Prepares or oversees preparation of year end reconciliations, journal entries and audit workpapers and assists auditors with walkthroughs, questions, and testing as required.
• Supervises staff and senior accountants by reviewing work, providing feedback and mentoring in a way that nurtures development, guides best practice and sets the tone for accuracy and rigor going forward. Evaluate responsibilities of each accountant on the team to ensure best practices for internal controls and alignment with each persons skill set.
• Oversees Accounts Payable function. Evaluate effectiveness of approval workflows, payment methods and AP tools and work to implement change as necessary. Liaise with departments across campus to answer questions, providing training and data insight on an ad-hoc basis.
• Ownership of the GL structure and data integrity. Maintains adequacy and relevancy of GL accounts to support ease of financial reporting and data analysis.
• Monitors and evaluate internal controls on an ongoing basis and implement changes when necessary to safeguard the institutions assets and ensure compliance with established policies.  

• Bachelors degree in accounting, finance or related field.  
• Minimum 5 years experience in accounting. Minimum 2 years experience in a leadership role.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• Skills:
  • Self starter who can confidently complete work with little involvement from supervisor.
  • Strong communicator who is comfortable asking questions.
  • Foundational knowledge of nonprofit accounting and finance.
  • Engaging leader who will foster ownership and belonging amongst a team.
  • Ability to learn new software tools and systems.