General Accounting and Budget Manager

Position Summary:

The General Accounting and Budget Manager oversees the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the University’s annual operating budget. The role also supports strategic financial planning and long‑range forecasting and provides analytical guidance to senior leadership as well as academic and administrative departments. This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Finance and Budget.

This is a full-time, exempt salaried position based fully onsite (five days per week) on campus located in Riverdale.

Responsibilities:

Budget Development & Management

Lead the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the annual operating budget.
Partner with academic and administrative departments to develop budgets, forecasts, and multi-year financial projections.
Monitor budget-to-actual results, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions.
Support strategic financial planning initiatives and long-range modeling.
Financial Analysis & Reporting

Develop timely and accurate management reports and dashboards for senior leadership.
Analyze financial trends, enrollment impacts, and cost drivers to support decision-making.
Prepare ad hoc financial analyses and scenario modeling as requested.
Will participate in special projects as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer or the Senior Director of Finance and Budget.

Supervision & Collaboration

Collaborate closely with Controller, General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Student Accounts, and Financial Aid. Provide assistance as needed.
Support the preparation and review financial statements, schedules, and variance analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
Support annual financial audits and coordinate with external auditors; prepare audit schedules and respond to inquiries.
Serve as a financial resource to department leaders, providing guidance on budgeting and fiscal stewardship.

Systems & Process Improvement

Manage and optimize financial systems.
Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve data quality, and enhance reporting efficiency.
Support system upgrades, implementations, and process automation initiatives.
Ensure compliance with institutional policies, funding requirements, contractual requirements, and regulatory standards.
Assist in developing, documenting, and improving financial policies and procedures.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including supervisory responsibility, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit environment.
Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is highly desirable.

Technical & Professional Skills

Strong analytical, organizational, and people skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word is required.
Strong experience using artificial intelligence tools, particularly Microsoft Copilot, is desirable.
Experience with nonprofit or higher education financial systems preferred; knowledge of Banner Finance is a plus.