Assistant Director of Finance

Join a team of employees committed to an exciting mission: offering the world biblically grounded men and women equipped to live out extraordinary callings in ordinary places. Covenant College is a community rooted in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, with everything grounded in our Reformed theology and worldview. Located on the border between Georgia and Tennessee, our 400-acre campus atop Lookout Mountain offers stunning vistas of the Smoky Mountains and views spanning seven states, while remaining conveniently close to downtown Chattanooga.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced accountant to serve as the Assistant Director of Finance. Reporting to the Senior Director of Finance, this role supports the College's financial operations by managing assigned accounting processes, maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial records, and providing financial reporting and analysis to support institutional decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily recording and reconciliation of bank account activity, including preparing and posting required journal entries and investigating discrepancies.
• Review financial transactions, general ledger activity, account balances, and supporting documentation; exercise judgment in identifying discrepancies, determining appropriate corrective action, and escalating significant or higher-risk matters to the Senior Director of Finance.
• Review weekly cash disbursements prepared by the Senior Accounting Clerk, ensuring payments are accurate, properly authorized, adequately documented, and recorded in accordance with College policies and accounting procedures.
• Provide operational support and backup coverage for student accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, including receiving student payments, responding to billing and payment inquiries, processing vendor invoices, and resolving transaction-related issues.
• Administer the College's purchasing card, corporate credit card, and employee reimbursement programs, including reviewing transactions, monitoring supporting documentation, addressing policy exceptions, and promoting compliance with established requirements.
• Coordinate assigned components of the month-end and year-end close processes, including preparing and reviewing journal entries, completing account reconciliations, researching variances, resolving outstanding items, and ensuring assigned close activities are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports, account analyses, budget-to-actual comparisons, reconciliations, and management information to support the Senior Director and departmental decision-making.
• Analyze financial activity, identify significant trends, variances, or emerging concerns, and communicate findings and recommended follow-up to the Senior Director of Finance.
• Support the development of the College's annual operating and capital budgets by gathering information, reviewing departmental submissions, analyzing historical activity, preparing schedules, and assisting with budget reporting.
• Monitor the effectiveness of accounting processes and internal controls, identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and accountability, and assist with implementing approved process improvements.
• Maintain current written procedures for assigned financial processes and support the consistent application of accounting practices across responsible areas.
• Assist with audit preparation by compiling schedules, supporting documentation, reconciliations, and other information requested by external auditors or regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate appropriate work assignments for work-study students supporting the Finance Office, provide task-specific guidance, and review completed work for accuracy and compliance with established procedures.
• Serve as a resource to the Senior Accounting Clerk and other Finance Office personnel by answering questions, supporting problem resolution, reviewing assigned work products, and helping coordinate workflow and departmental priorities.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of accounting principles, general ledger management, and financial reporting in a higher education or institutional setting.
• Attention to Detail: Consistently accurate in reviewing, processing, and reconciling financial transactions.
• Analytical Thinking: Able to evaluate financial data and processes to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement; demonstrates personal initiative, discernment, and mature judgment.
• Integrity & Discretion: Handles confidential financial and student information with sound judgment and appropriate confidentiality.
• Communication: Clearly conveys financial information to colleagues, students, and leadership, both verbally and in writing.
• Leadership & Delegation: Provides guidance and oversight to work-study students and supports a collaborative team environment.
• Initiative & Process Improvement: Proactively identifies and implements more efficient processes within the accounting function.
• Mission Alignment: Demonstrates commitment to Covenant College's Christ-centered mission and values in daily work.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, exempt position.
• Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
• Primarily office-based, working within a collaborative finance team environment.
• Travel is generally limited to professional conferences/seminars a couple of times a year or less, taking cash deposits to the bank, and other limited travel in carrying out the responsibilities of the position.

Physical Demands

• Extended periods of sitting or standing.
• Frequent verbal communication; must be fluent in English.
• Use of standard office equipment.
• Lifting or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling), less than 5 lbs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial reporting, general ledger administration, budgeting, or related financial operations.
• Experience with month-end close, account reconciliations, journal entries, financial analysis, and internal controls.
• Experience in a higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex financial environment.
• Experience with an enterprise resource planning or financial management system.
• Ability to work independently with general direction and supervision.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with appropriate discretion.
• Working knowledge of email, calendars, spreadsheets, and word processing applications (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with an integrated software platform such as Ellucian Banner.
• Acceptance of and commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, demonstrated in personal life and conduct.
• Understanding of the mission and purpose of Covenant College.
• Ability to assent to Covenant's Statement of Community Beliefs and Staff Commitments.