Assistant Director For General Accounting

Description

Columbia Basin College (CBC) is committed to our vision to be the educational home that transforms students' lives through economic and social mobility. We are one of eight Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Washington state with Hispanic students representing just under half of our student population. As such, CBC is committed to discovering and enacting innovative ways to intentionally serve Hispanic students while serving all. We center equity in all that we do and seek to attract and retain engaged individuals committed to helping all students be successful in accomplishing their goals.

CBC seeks an Assistant Director for General Accounting to be responsible for complex accounting and reconciliation processes involving the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger and other accounting activities. This position oversees grant and contract accounting activities as well as advises and develops controls and processes to reduce fraud.

The Assistant Director for General Accounting reports to the Director for Accounting Services & Controller.

This position closes on July 14, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST. The College will conduct initial interviews with selected candidates via Zoom and will conduct on-campus interviews with finalists.

If you have questions or need assistance during the application or search process, please contact the recruiter for this position, Ashley Jordan at ajordan@columbiabasin.edu or (509) 542-4567.

Primary Responsibilities

• General Ledger Review:Review the general ledger to ensure accuracy and integrity of the accounting data contained within;

• Complex Accounting and Reconciliation:Conduct various complex accounting and reconciliation processes involving cash, investments, cash flow analysis, Vendor Payment Advance, standard monthly analysis and review of transactions, sales tax, unrelated business income tax and unclaimed property. Perform month-end and year-end close accounting processes, including preparing, reviewing, and creating journal entries as needed;

• Fiscal Report Preparation:Serve as primary preparer of all fiscal reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) such as statement of fund balance, board reports, income statements or balance sheets, and annual financial statements on an accrual basis;

• Fund Request and Reconciliation:Prepare and reconcile the funds requested from the State Treasurer's Office for operating and capital project payments ensuring appropriate spending, and review and reconcile state clearing account draws and fund transfers to the State Treasurer's office;

• Asset and Debt Accounting:Conduct asset accounting to properly record college assets placed into service (including construction in progress), depreciation schedules and disposal, as well as debt accounting, including the proper recording of college debt service;

• Data Integrity Monitoring:Monitor the accuracy of college's accounting data to ensure integrity of data reporting to state agency financial system;

• Grant Fund Management and Cost Rate Negotiation: Ensure the timely and accurate drawing of all grant related funds though Online Budgeting and Invoicing System, Online Grants Management System, etc. Additionally, assist in the negotiation of indirect cost rate agreements with the federal cognizant agency;

• Business Process Assessment, Internal Audit, and Cleanup:Implement and perform reviews and assessments of business processes and accounting policies to ensure best practices, and assess and recommend internal controls to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. Conduct internal audits to identify discrepancies and inefficiencies, and perform necessary cleanup of financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with audit requirements;

• Audit Support:Support the annual audit process by providing supporting documents and explanations per external auditor's request, and maintain files and supporting documentation for all areas of responsibility in compliance with audit requirements;

• Stakeholder Relationships:Coach and mentor accounting personnel in daily, monthly and annual accounting tasks using experience and knowledge in accounting by following established procedures and policies. Maintain positive working relationships with college departments and staff, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, local and federal agencies, vendors and the public; and

• Other:Serve on college committees, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field from an institutionally accredited college or university; and

• Two (2) years of experience in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or related field from an institutionally accredited college or university;

• Experience working in governmental, public or college accounting systems; and

• Familiarity with State of Washington accounting, rules and regulations.

Competencies

Project Management: Manage projects by focusing attention on key priorities; evaluate approaches, determine feasibility, and adjust plan as needed; develop plans, coordinate projects and teams; communicate changes and progress; complete projects on time and on budget; perform well without direct supervision; do complex work independently; follow tasks through to completion;

Quality Management:Set clear quality requirements; measure key outcomes; improve processes, products, and services;

Leadership: Lead through influence, rather than authority, and take ownership and accountability for the area of responsibility and decisions made; demonstrate confidence within area of expertise - promote a cooperative work environment; ability to appropriately apply leadership techniques to motivate, develop and guide employees;

Conceptual Thinking: Have the ability to understand a situation or problem by identifying patterns or connections, and addressing key underlying issues; use past professional or technical training and experience, creativity, inductive reasoning, and intuitive processes to find potential solutions or valuable alternatives that may not be obviously related or easily identified; think "outside the box";

Oral & Written Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings; structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents; review and edit written work constructively; ability to tailor to audience in mind;

Support for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Reflecting CBC's mission, vision and values, support initiatives that expand the human qualities that differentiate our workplace and educational setting; demonstrate and advocate an understanding of differences, open mindedness, compassion, sensitivity and interest in differing viewpoints given the diverse population and show a deep commitment to the involvement of colleagues, students and community members to student experience and success honoring freedom of expression as fundamental to personal, professional and organizational growth;

Accountability: Accountable for own actions, decisions, errors, mistakes and/or failures to act when appropriate; accept responsibility when given, understand what duties employee is responsible for and can be counted upon to carry out those responsibilities; and

Teamwork: Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism, and to cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors; demonstrate alignment with the "Yes, And" culture, (e.g., being present and listening, making each other look good, embracing change and failure and choosing positivity).

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time, overtime exempt staff position. The typical work hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, work hours may vary due to work demands and some evening and weekend work may be required.

CBC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with the letter and spirit of all federal and state laws. CBC encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other legal protected characteristics. Candidates who need any accommodation in the application process or in employment should contact the Office of Human Resources.

CBC offers excellent medical/dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid leave, retirement plans, and a variety of benefit options. Please view the "Benefits" tab for comprehensive benefits information.

Successful candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Provide proof of lawful permanent residency or other appropriate work authorization as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.

• Disclose any substantiated findings or any ongoing investigations related to sexual misconduct as required by RCW28B.112.080.

• Pass a criminal background check. Note: information learned during the criminal background check will not necessarily preclude employment but may be a factor in eligibility for the position.

• Maintain an alcohol-free and drug-free workplace during employment.

OTHER JOB ELEMENTS

The working conditions listed below represent those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.

Work environment includes office and other settings as appropriate. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.