Finance Director

Job description

Role Overview:

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) CLA Search has been retained by Sterling College to identify a Director of Finance to serve their team by having direct oversight and management of the financial administration.

Does This Sound Like You?

Does your current role challenge to do your best work of your life AND to leave lasting, transformational impact on others around you every day? Do you feel a strong sense of togetherness with your team and a commitment to a greater purpose?

If you are someone that has a passion for higher education and would like to make an impact through leading the financial administration, we'd like to talk to you!

About Our Client:

Sterling is a mission-defined and vision-inspired institution that provides learning about and engagement with the natural world. For more than a half century, we have believed that neither the narrow technician nor the uninformed idealist alone can address the critical issues facing humanity. It is imperative that we address the accelerating crises facing the social and natural communities of which we are all members. Sterling does this by equipping people with a bridge between thought and deed so that they can live meaningful and rewarding lives that are closely connected to the natural world.

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What You'll Do:

• Oversee the financial accountability for the College
• Lead the finance administration through financial reporting, data-driven analysis, and day-to-day operations
• Manage the planning, development, and monitoring of the fiscal administration in conjunction with the Interim President
• Monitor, analyze, and report monthly operating results against budget; interpret financial data and make recommendations to support
• Prepare and maintain accurate financial reporting and internal controls in collaboration with the Interim President
• Deliver support to budget managers in the creation of multi-year budget forecasts, analysis and preparation of annual budget and quarterly reviews, cash management, external financial reporting and compliance or institutional accountability and accreditation reporting
• Serves as liaison to the Board of Trustees Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and Audit Committee
• Design, document and implement policies and procedures which result in timely and accurate financial reporting and budget information
• Supervise the finance staff; account reconciliations and general ledger, and accurate documenting of accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing and accounts payable functions, student billing and collections
• Record keeping and reporting of restricted funds; endowments, gifts, grants and scholarships, and the expenditures
• Ensure required federal, state, and local reporting requirements are met in an accurate and timely manner
• Manage and oversee vendor agreements and contracts related to IT, facilities, campus planning, construction and renovations, sustainability planning, public safety, transportation and parking, human resources, related institutional research and legal services, and the support of external partners
• Participate in campus governance and committees and chair finance council
• Direct all audit activities as key liaison with auditing firm and other projects as assigned

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics; MBA/CPA preferred; 7-10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit/higher-ed
• Proven track record in internal controls, risk management and implementation of best practices
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state laws and regulations, GAAP, audits, regulatory requirements, and compliance
• Progressive analytical skills and a strong business acumen to provide innovative alternatives
• Advanced technical skills; Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, etc..), QuickBooks, Blackbaud-Financial Edge, Cloud-Based Software
• Strong communication skills; written and verbal; natural leader with exceptional collaborative skills
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, independent problem solver, team player, ability to meet deadlines, prioritizes and multitasks