Assistant Director of Accounting (Internal Applicants Only)

Job Title: Assistant Director of Accounting

Department: Office of Business & Finance

Reports to:  Director of Accounting for Business and Finance

FLSA Status: Salary Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Accounting is responsible for performing advanced professional accounting functions to support the financial operations of Fort Valley State University. This position ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records, compliance with University System of Georgia (USG) policies, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and applicable federal and state regulations. The Assistant Director of Accounting assists with financial reporting, account reconciliations, audits, year-end closing activities, and fiscal management initiatives while providing guidance and support to departmental personnel.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Prepares and reviews journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Performs monthly reconciliations of bank accounts, general ledger accounts, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Reviews financial transactions for accuracy, completeness, and proper account coding.
• Monitors revenues, expenditures, and fund balances and identifies discrepancies.
• Assists with month-end and fiscal year-end closing activities.
• Prepares financial reports, schedules, and analyses for management and external agencies.
• Coordinates and prepares audit schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external audits.
• Research and resolves accounting discrepancies and reconciliation issues.
• Ensures compliance with Board of Regents policies, GASB standards, and applicable accounting regulations.
• Assists with the preparation of annual financial statements and related disclosures.
• Monitors restricted, unrestricted, grant, auxiliary, and other university funds.
• Provides training and guidance to departmental staff regarding accounting procedures and policies.
• Assists with implementation and testing of financial system upgrades and process improvements.
• Attend university and departmental meetings.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of governmental and higher education accounting principles.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.
• Knowledge of Board of Regents Business Procedures Manual and University System of Georgia
• Knowledge of financial reporting and account reconciliation processes.
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial analysis principles.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials or similar enterprise resource planning systems.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Skill in analyzing financial data and preparing reports.
• Skill in identifying and resolving accounting discrepancies.
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and customer service.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

• The Director of Accounting assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. Work is reviewed through reports, reconciliations, financial analyses, conferences, and observation of results achieved.

GUIDELINES

• Guidelines include Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, Board of Regents policies and procedures, University System of Georgia regulations, federal and state accounting requirements, and university policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, interpretation, and independent application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied professional accounting duties requiring analysis, reconciliation, and interpretation of financial data. Compliance requirements, changing accounting standards, and multiple funding sources contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the university's financial records and reporting processes. Success in this position contributes to sound financial management, regulatory compliance, and informed decision-making throughout the university.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, university employees, administrators, auditors, state agency representatives, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to provide or obtain information, resolve problems, coordinate activities, explain accounting procedures, and ensure compliance with financial regulations and policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table and while intermittently standing, walking, or stooping.
• The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
• The work is typically performed in an office environment.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

• May provide lead work, training, and technical guidance to accounting staff, administrative personnel, and student workers as assigned.
• Will serve as a backup to Director of Accounting Services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• Experience preparing financial reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reports.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Excel and automated financial systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience in higher education accounting.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Financials and University System of Georgia financial systems.
• Experience with governmental fund accounting and financial statement preparation.
• Knowledge of GASB reporting standards and state government accounting requirements.

Fort Valley State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or University System of Georgia policy.