Career Center

Department: MED-Basic Science Admin
Salary/Grade: EXS/10
 

Job Summary        

The Basic Science Administration (BSA) group supports the basic science academic departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Microbiology-Immunology, Pharmacology, and Physiology; as well as the Center for Genetic Medicine and the Simpson Querry Center for Epigenetics.  The Associate Director for Financial Administration will lead and perform all aspects of financial administration for our constituent departments. This position reports directly to the Executive Department Administrator in BSA.

Accountabilities:

• Manages more than one university accounting-related area or program
• Directs the development of & manages a school's/dept's budget & financial operations including the development & implementation of strategies for: budgeting;  forecasting, modeling & projecting; identifying & explaining variances; financial reporting; internal controls; expense reductions; cost containment; & revenue enhancements.
• Manages a portfolio of  multiple schools/depts' financial operations comprised of very complex financial work such as internal & external organizations, international situations, and very large dollar volumes.
• Manages daily, monthly, quarterly and annual financial processes for the area or program.
• Applies industry and professional standards, interprets university policy and procedure, federal and state laws and other regulations; recommends accounting policy for the university.
• Represents &/or guides business area on internal & external financial affairs & is viewed as an expert resource regarding area's financial affairs

Budget:

• Plans & manages complex budget(s) which fund strategic mission including financial sustainability & enhancement models.  Budget structure may require “stand-alone” financial health to not only ensure that school/dept can financially support its strategic plan but also requires providing financial & strategic support to strengthen & enhance the University’s reputation. 
• Plans & implements annual budget process including fiscal resource allocation of appropriated, discretionary, endowment &/or gift revenues. 
• Develops & recommends budget parameters to senior staff for all units based upon those provided by the Budget Office as well as more restrictive parameters that may be required per a comprehensive understanding of school/dept’s financial position & forecasting model. 
• Reviews & partners with senior staff from all areas/units to finalize proposed budgets ensuring compliance with established budget parameters as well as a consolidated school/dept balanced budget. 
• Oversees routine budget reconciliation & analyzes budget position. 
• Approves funds reallocation within budget as necessary & appropriate.     
• Analysis, Statements & Reporting

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Measures individual net performance of all areas/units as well as consolidated area/unit income statement & balance sheet with the use of pre-defined analytical financial tools. 
• Recommends changes to tools to improve analysis, forecasting, modeling & reporting & ultimately quality of financial information & analyses provided to management for planning, evaluating & controlling operations. 
• Establishes proper accounting & audit trails for revenue & expenses related to programs & initiatives. 
• Oversees monthly reconciliation & reports on current financial performance, impact on year-end forecast & opportunities & risks.
• Prepares area or program financial statements and regulatory reports.
• Acts as the key contact for external auditors; prepares financial statement and audit workpapers.
• Prepares sections of the university's annual financial report.
• Performs complex financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research
• Establishes and communicates the University calendar for daily, monthly, quarterly and annual accounting and financial processes for the areas or programs.

Transactions

• Ensures compliance of financial processes & systems including the  implementation & monitoring of financial controls & training of managers with financial responsibilities in accordance with all associated NU, local, state & federal rules & regulations. 
• Manages completion of annual fiscal year-end close. 
• Coordinates with Budget Office & other schools/depts for proper recording of cross school/dept transactions.
• Prepares consolidated financial statement to report final net position; & partners with Budget Office to provide variances from expected performance. 
• Oversees processing of all daily financial transactional activity.
• Reviews status of related university unit accounts and processes; troubleshoots issues as needed.
• Manages overall University general ledger chart field maintenance

Grants and/or Awards:

• Builds relationships with Principal Investigators (PIs) & NU research associated offices; transfers knowledge & advises on research policy & procedure. 
• Ensures on-going training of support staff & PIs for optimal operations & compliance. 
• Manages budgets for large volume of research grants. 
• Creates & monitors recharge centers.

Administration:

• Identifies current & future resource planning & allocation issues & develops, leads, & supervises complex studies & analyses that will assist senior staff in reaching resource planning and allocation decisions. 
• Processes & presents associated data & information through the application of sophisticated database, graphic & spreadsheet tools. 
• Negotiates with vendors for purchases & leases
• Acts as project manager for design and implementation of regulatory and system changes.
• Manages operation of a computer system or system processes that support the area or program.
• Ensures that service level goals are met.

Training:

• Provides training and support to related university units or program participants
• Develops and maintains website content and training materials

Supervision:

• Supervises employees
• Trains employees
• Hires employees
• Evaluates employees' performance
• Provides work direction to other employees

Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as accounting, business administration, finance, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.   
• 8 years financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting.
• Familiarity with FASB requirements.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• CFE-Certified Fraud Examiner
• CIA-Certified Internal Auditor
• CISA-Certified Information Systems Auditor
• CPA-Certified Public Accountant

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