Seattle Colleges Hiring for Executive Director Finance/Controller at Seattle, WA Full Time

Opportunity Description

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges-North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College-and five specialty training centers, which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington. We are leaders in change and innovation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the passionate work of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as we work against systemic racism. Additionally, you will gain the rewarding experience of contributing to the success of an open-access learning institution that prepares students for life and work, fostering a diverse, engaged and dynamic community.

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy a competitive benefits package, professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice including, committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Position Summary

Opportunity is Open Until Filled, First review of applications will begin: April 3, 2023

Salary range for this position is: $112,000/year – $154,659/year (depending on experience)

The Executive Director of Finance/Controller leads the District Financial Operations Team and coordinates with business office staff at the three colleges of the Seattle Colleges to ensure that finance is a high functioning team upholding professional standards and that the Seattle Colleges comply with Washington State Administrative Code (WAC), District policies and procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

Under the supervision of the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations the Executive Director of Finance/Controller is responsible for all aspects of accounting and finance for the Seattle Colleges including general ledger, grant and fiscal agency accounting, capital projects accounting, State and Federal funds compliance, SBCTC accounting coordination, internal controls, financial statements, external audit engagements and banking and investment management. This position is also responsible for process improvement and alignment recommendations to improve service delivery, accountability, and excellence in financial management and accounting services.

This position supervises Exempt, Classified, Temporary, Work Study and Student Employees.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will enjoy competitive compensation as well as all the benefits as a Washington State employee. To learn more about our excellent benefits offerings please see our benefits overview here: Seattle Colleges Employment Benefits

Application Requirements:

• Attach current resume
• Attach cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job
• Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants:
Please note that Seattle Colleges is working under hybrid remote and on-site operations, pending public health guidance and business needs. Per CDC and WA Public Health directions, at this time we will be practicing social distancing and holding interviews virtually using video conference or teleconference options. As such, if you are selected for interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

What you will be working on:

• Provide leadership, management and direction to complex finance functions and assigned staff. Nurture the development of a psychologically safe work environment, model expected professional behavior, coach and mentor staff to develop a culture characterized by excellence, collaboration, learning, service, equity and belonging.
• Administer the following District Finance functions:  general ledger and fund accounting, billing and accounts receivable, student financials, accounts payable and travel, treasury, banking, federal and state business functions and reporting, audited financial statements, audit liaison, risk assessment, and other assigned services/operations ensuring functions comply with Washington State Law (RCWs), WAC, District policies and procedures, GAAP and GASB.
• Serve as a primary financial advisor to the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations for all finance and accounting matters.
• Responsible for districtwide financial management including: cash management and investment activity, expenditure control, revenue collection, grants and contracts, collections, student financials module, management and analysis of all district funds and account groups and fiscal year-end close processes.
• Continuously improve processes, procedures and documentation.
• Supervise (train, schedule, evaluate, discipline and respond to grievances) exempt and classified employees. Adhere to classified contracts and all district rules and regulations ensuring efficient operations.
• Actively engage in the development and maintenance of an equitable workplace.
• Attend meetings and represent the Seattle Colleges on State Boards and Councils.
• Comply with district policy, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statute and collective bargaining agreements.
• Act for the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations as directed.
• Responsible for reporting on appropriations, expenses, and other spending authority provided by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Office of Financial Management and other agencies.
• Resolve accounting and finance discrepancies and ensure that reconciliation of federal, state and local funds is routinely accomplished; including financial aid funds, federal awards, state funds, capital project funds, and student accounts.
• Oversee federal and state disclosure reporting at fiscal year-end close.
• Responsible for the District’s Chart of Accounts and account structure including interpreting and communicating standard practices for general ledger and fund accounting activities in the ctcLink finance pillar and associated modules.
• Lead the District’s fiscal year-end closing processes ensuring compliance with timelines from State Board and other State Agencies; including all timelines for business and tax-related activities that are due on a monthly, quarterly or calendar year basis.
• Responsible for the integrity, and compliance with GAAP, of financial and other data provided to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and external auditors.
• Monitor college financial processes.  Provide leadership in the delivery of financial and business services throughout the District and services provided to students and other Seattle Colleges customers.
• Responsible for responding to external requests for financial and accounting information to comply with things like accreditation requirements, annual IPEDS reporting, grant applications, and auditor requests.  
• Responsible for the integrity of financial internal controls for the colleges and District.
• Oversee the completion of District financial statements annually in compliance with GAAP and GASB.
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or finance including at least 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing or budgeting.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
• Five (5) or more years of increasingly responsible experience as a professional accountant, including experience in fund accounting processes and procedures in higher education, government, or a non-profit. Experience includes progressively responsible accounting experience involving the application of advanced accounting principles and theories to an accounting operation and financial statements.
• Three (3) or more years of experience managing and developing high performance accounting staff and teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles and procedures of governmental accounting; internal auditing principles, procedures, and practices; financial records and reports; recognized methods used in effecting internal control; and methods of accounting systems design.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing, documenting, and improving business processes.
• Demonstrated experience working in an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system.
• Demonstrated expertise in MS Office 365, including expert level spreadsheet skills.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and presenting complex financial and statistical data and recommendations to both executives and groups. 
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and solve accounting and business problems; and to monitor and evaluate fiscal and/or accounting activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive work environment and promoting equity and inclusion among workplace teams.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills with individuals and groups. 
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with district and campus administrators and staff, students and external parties or agencies.

Physical Requirements:

The Position

• Typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to Perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office.
• Encounters frequent interruptions throughout the workday.
• Is regularly required to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion with or without reasonable accommodation.

Disability Accommodation

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants: 

• Ability to operate office equipment 
• Ability to read and verify data and prepare various materials 
• Ability to exchange information on the phone or in person 

Notice of Non-discrimination Statement 

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, the Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of “bullying” behaviors, including “cyber bullying”.

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the college’s Director of Legal Compliance:

1500 Harvard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-3803

(206) 934-3873 

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.