Executive Director of Accounting
Higher Education Leadership Search

Youngwood, Pennsylvania

Posted in Education and Training


This job has expired.

Job Info


About Westmoreland County Community College

Founded in 1970, Westmoreland County Community College is one of Pennsylvania's premiere community colleges whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves through education, training and cultural enrichment.

Located in Youngwood, with a total of eight locations serving all of Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties, Westmoreland is recognized as a premier institution of higher learning focused on student success, workforce development, economic growth and cultural experiences. It is steadfastly committed to its core values of teaching and learning; innovation and creativity; equity and inclusion; collaboration and teamwork; accountability and integrity; and social responsibility and stewardship.

Collectively, Westmoreland serves 4,645 full-and part-time students, offering 62 associate degree, 12 diploma and 38 certificate programs with options that prepare students for careers or transfer to baccalaureate degree programs at four-year institutions. It has 81 full-time teaching faculty, 279 part-time faculty, and an overall student-teacher ratio of 12-1.

Youngwood's 80-acre campus offers a variety of extracurricular activities, student organizations and programs/events that aim to enrich the student experience in a fun, social, cultural and educational way. Athletically, Westmoreland offers six men's sports and seven women's sports, and has had three National Champions and 29 NJCC All Americans since 1995.

In addition to its main campus in Youngwood, Westmoreland provides access to quality educational opportunities in Latrobe, Murrysville, New Kensington, Indiana and Uniontown. Plus, the College's Advanced Technology Center and Public Safety Training Center offer specialized training in specific areas of study. Westmoreland County Community College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

For more information visit https://westmoreland.edu

About the Position

Westmoreland County Community College invites applications and nominations immediately for the position of Executive Director of Accounting. This position begins as soon as possible following candidate selection.

The Executive Director of Accounting reports to the President and is responsible for managing the accounting and purchasing functions of the College and has ultimate department or similar management responsibility for people and/or College/organization functions within an assigned area of specialized and related activities.

The position shall manage, supervise, plan and direct both the operation and the personnel of the above-stated areas. The Director must demonstrate an ability to be entrepreneurial and help lead the development and implementation of innovative, College-wide strategies that generate new revenue sources, increase efficiencies and improve effectiveness while instilling a culture of customer service to the constituencies served.

This position is required to maintain confidentiality of proprietary and private information and a customer-service focus while carrying out job responsibilities and will conduct business in a manner that will uphold the integrity and reputation of Westmoreland County Community College. This position maintains a thorough working knowledge of and adheres to the policies, regulations, and procedures of the College.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Direct the day-to-day operations and activities of the Accounting and Purchasing areas of the College.
  • Develop and maintain systems of internal controls to safeguard the financial integrity of the College; monitor College operations and ensure compliance with government regulations, higher education, and peer standards.
  • Administer the accounting and fiscal affairs of the College, including those required by not only Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and Governmental Accounting Standards Board, but also local, state, and federal funding sources and College and Board of Trustees policies.
  • Oversee the financial operations of the College's Education Foundation.
  • Oversee the payroll function of the College to assure that employees are properly paid and payroll deductions are properly calculated and remitted to the appropriate agency.
  • Oversee the Accounts Payable function of the College.
  • Oversee the invoicing and collecting of student accounts and other areas of Accounts Receivable.
  • Oversee purchasing and ensure all college, state, and federal policies are maintained. Provide leadership and creativity as it relates to purchasing power, cost expenditures, and savings for the college.
  • Maintain bank relationships and oversee the cash management policies of the College on investments and cash flow to ensure appropriate returns and the continued operation of the College.
  • Oversee the preparation of finance and facilities (as it relates to purchasing) motions for action by the Board of Trustees and ensure financial statements and reports, cash management reports, and other related reports are shared with the board upon request and at each board committee and board meeting.
  • Work with certified public accountants and auditors from federal and state agencies to assure proper accounting policies, procedures, and regulations are followed and presented in the College financial statements to the Public, the State Department of Education, thal department of education, and the various grant agencies. Oversee and ensure the college and foundation audits are performed on time, within budget, and meet all standards.
  • Lead and direct the year-end financial and single audits. Ensure that all requirements and deadlines are met, data, details and information provided is accurate and timely. Serve as the primary point of contact for independent auditors and facilitate/coordinate the audit fieldwork.
  • Communicate with the College solicitor on various legal issues that may affect the College within assigned areas.
  • Assist with labor relations and negotiations, preparing proposals, reviewing data and providing financial guidance, and participating as directed by the President.
  • Participate in the development, submission, administration, and reporting of College grants, including but not limited to Carl Perkins, PIC/WIA, CJT, and Continuing Education Grants, including WEDNET, NCOA, Career Prep, TANF, etc.
  • Ensure the ERP (Anthology) for the college and the areas under direct supervision fully utilize this system and other technologies to create and maintain efficiencies, streamline processes and utilize human and time resources appropriately. Also, ensure ancillary software systems that support the areas of direct supervision are utilized fully and are continually updated to support functions.
  • Drive high customer service expectations and exceptional levels of teamwork and support for accounting, budgeting, and purchasing staff in their support of the College.
  • Coordinate and direct the budgeting process to support the fiscal management of the College. Create budgets, adjustments, and forecasts for use in the management of the College. Share draft budget assumptions, budget forecasts, budget expectations, budget planning, and a final budget with the board to ensure an annual budget is adopted by the board each year and followed by the college.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements and professional standards. Establish and maintain financial controls and procedures that serve as guidance and best practices for the College.
  • Prepare and present financial reports, KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), and detailed analysis to support the fiduciary responsibility of the Board of Trustees and Westmoreland leadership.
  • Help guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures that are repeatable, auditable, and provide for consistency and accuracy in the reporting details.
  • Serve as the responsible administrator for the college and foundation general ledger and its maintenance.
  • Advise divisions and departments on accounting and purchasing policies and procedures; answer inquiries on complex technical issues.
  • Serve as co-chair of the administrative governance committee for the college.
  • Develop and enforce policies for fixed asset inventory tracking. Coordinate the annual fixed asset inventory process and report the results to management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Develop, maintain, and implement the strategic long-range plan for all assigned areas; monitor key performance indicators (KPI).
  • Direct and coordinate the preparation of annual goals and objectives; monitor progress and prepare an annual summary report for all assigned areas.
  • Coordinate, prepare, recommend and monitor annual operating and capital budgets for areas of functional responsibility.
  • Select, train, mentor, and evaluate assigned personnel; establish and monitor employee performance objectives; prepare and present employee performance reviews; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct unsatisfactory work performance; implement discipline procedures.
  • Enhance professional knowledge by keeping abreast of emerging practices; monitoring developing trends; integrate new technologies into assigned programs.
  • Ensure the appropriateness of systems to support compliance functions and monitor compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and reporting requirements.
  • Review, develop, maintain and administer Board of Trustees-approved policies for the assigned areas.
  • Establish and maintain a liaison with other educational institutions.
  • Serve as a member of the President's Cabinet and Council, and act as an advisor to senior management and external personnel.
  • Serve as a college ambassador inside and outside of the college including serving on community board(s) and other related activities outside of the college.
  • Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for assigned division and/or departments to ensure cost centers do not exceed the budgeted dollars during the fiscal year.
  • Develop and implement individual performance goals and objectives that align with the College's strategic and institutional effectiveness plans.
  • Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications department in the development and dissemination of various marketing initiatives for assigned programs as identified in the college's strategic plan.
  • Supervise report preparation and submission in compliance with applicable laws and other mandated reporting requirements.
  • Perform job duties in accordance with college policies and procedures; and bargaining unit agreements as applicable.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Participate in departmental meetings, various committees, and professional organizations as required.
  • Advocate for the College and Educational Foundation at community events and in community organizations.
  • Perform additional grade-level duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING

  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field required; Master's Degree preferred.
  • Seven to ten years of experience required. Prior supervisory and management experience required.
  • Experience with purchasing at a public entity, fund balance accounting, non-profit accounting, foundation accounting,
  • Experience in implementing effective internal control measures and processes required.
  • Related work experience in higher education preferred.
  • Prior work performance must have met or exceeded appropriate work standards in current and prior positions.

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS

  • Valid driver's license required
  • CPA certification preferred.

CLEARANCES REQUIRED

  • PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA Criminal Record Check Clearance, and FBI Federal Criminal History Record Clearance at the employee's expense.
  • Basic Employment Verification, National Criminal Database Search, and Five-Panel Drug Screen at College's expense.

WORK-RELATED KNOWLEDGE

  • Demonstrated knowledge of general accounting, accounting systems, and auditing principles and practices.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of advanced principles, theories, and concepts used to develop advanced ideas, determine objectives and implement them into final actions.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of computers and skilled in the use of technology to enhance the delivery of work products.
  • Ability to handle sensitive and complex student and/or employee issues consistently, confidentially, and professionally.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of management processes to effectively plan, organize, implement, direct, motivate, control, and evaluate division programs and personnel.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (Typically required on a regular basis to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.)

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

  • Problems at this level are not clearly defined. Incumbent must decide what to do, as well as how to do it. General objectives might be stated, but the job holder must clarify objectives, establish a plan, determine priorities, and prescribe processes needed to achieve the objective. Decisions are made based on broad, administrative, professional, and/or managerial standards, and are consistent with general policies and goals. The supervisor kept informed on an "as-needed" basis.
  • Decisions are typically guided by policies in non-standard situations; discretion is required with respect to matters of business significance, such as selecting the appropriate resources to use in accomplishing assigned work; impacts the achievement of customer, functional, operational, project or service objectives.

VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

  • Use verbal skills to influence senior management decisions that have an impact on business direction.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

  • Review and approve documentation, reports, and records submitted by staff.

MATH SKILLS

  • Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios
  • Statistical inference, frequency distribution, trigonometry, calculus, algebra, validity, etc.
  • Financial management, budgetary responsibility, forecasting/projections, etc.

COMPUTER SKILLS

  • Word Processing: Using a computer application to type text, insert pictures, format, edit, print, save, and retrieve word processing documents.
  • Spreadsheets: Using a computer application to enter, manipulate, and format text and numerical data; insert, delete, and manipulate cells, rows, and columns; and create and save worksheets, charts, and graphs.
  • Presentations: Using a computer application to create, manipulate, edit, and show virtual slide presentations.
  • Databases: Using a computer application to manage large amounts of information, including creating and editing simple databases, inputting data, retrieving specific records, and creating reports to communicate the information.
  • Internet: Navigate the Internet to find information, including the ability to open and configure standard browsers; use searches, and send and retrieve electronic mail (e-mail).
  • Navigation: Using scroll bars, a mouse, and dialog boxes to work within the computer's operating system. Being able to access and switch between applications and files of interest.
  • Financial Software: Used to manage finances and business ledger and other accounting functions, such as, track financial accounts, categorize income and expenses, work with budgets, create financial and tax-related reports, etc.

To apply for this position, visit https://www.highereducationleadershipsearch.com/candidate-portal-form.

To view the position profile, visit https://www.highereducationleadershipsearch.com/searches.

To nominate someone for this position, e-mail: nominations@highereducationleadershipsearch.com

Geralyn Franklin, Ph.D. and Wayne Alderman, DBA will be assisting Westmoreland County Community College with the search. If you have questions or would like to have a confidential conversation about the position, call 256-239-2305 or e-mail geralynf@highereducationleadershipsearch.com or alderman@highereducationleadershipsearch.com

Candidates for this position will be considered immediately upon application and begins as soon as possible following candidate selection.

Westmoreland County Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and specifically invites applications from women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities.


This job has expired.

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