Job Purpose

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Business, the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Finance is responsible for the university’s budgeting and financial accounting functions while maintaining compliance with appropriate federal and state statutes, laws and regulations. Serves as the delegated financial leader in the absence of the Vice President of Finance and Business and CFO.

Required Qualifications    
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or accounting or professional certification with experience as a professional accountant or auditor. At least three years of relevant experience supervising accounting, finance and/or auditing employees.

Preferred Qualifications    

• Experience working in public higher education or similarly complex state agency;
• Experience with South Carolina accounting regulations
• CPA or MBA with concentration in accounting
• Experience working with Banner or similar software package; and experience leading and supporting a team of diverse individual

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Summary    

• Expert knowledge of government accounting principles and best practices in order to interpret and apply complex guidelines, rules and regulations.
• Working knowledge of relevant state and federal accounting regulations, including GASB and FASB.
• Proven ability to build and manage complex budgets and oversee financial reporting.
• Detail-oriented.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to deliver work on assigned schedules.
• Must demonstrate integrity, discretion, sound judgment and leadership.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills in preparation of effective analytical reports and presentations.
• Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the campus community, fellow employees and government agencies.

Job Duties
   
Plans, directs, administers and organizes the university’s financial operations, which include the offices of Budget, Controller, Payroll Services, Contracts and Grants Accounting, and Student Financial Services and within these primary functions, the areas of general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed-asset accounting, cash management, cashiers and student billing. Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls that provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, and financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Develops, reviews, and revises financial policies as needed. Provides stewardship of resources by applying strong ethical business principles.

Provides leadership and strategic vision to the Finance and Budget area. Fosters a culture of customer service and high standards of care. Prepares the university’s annual operating budget by providing strategic analysis and counsel on all aspects of business operations and supporting multi-year business planning. Advises on the impact of long-range financial and organizational planning and oversees the development of long-range operating and capital plans. Evaluates, recommends and implements cost-saving measures. Oversees preparation of annual financial reports by working with internal and external auditors to ensure compliance with financial reporting standards, policies and procedures. Identifies and implements continuous process improvement initiatives in a collaborative manner to increase the efficiency/effectiveness of the university’s operations and business processes. Responsible for the submission of fiscal reports to external parties and various other financial reports required by the Commission on Higher Education, as well as those required by general provisions and special provisos of the annual South Carolina Appropriations Bill.

Develops positive relationships with key colleagues and stakeholders across the campus community. Provides clear, concise and robust communications at the appropriate level of detail for any constituency, including staff, faculty, students, trustees, legislators, public officials and others. Delivers materials as directed, including presentations, white papers, schedules and data analyses. Serves as a key contact for the Committee on Finance of the Board of Trustees and as the university’s liaison to the Office of State Budget and primary contact for the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Finance Division.

 
Performs all tasks necessary to manage a staff of employees. Recruits and fills vacant positions in collaboration with Human Resources. Creates clear performance expectations and provides frequent performance feedback. Provides personnel development and mentoring for successful performance outcomes. Provides a safe working environment for all employees. Maintains positive working relationships with other divisions of the university.