Associate Director, Accounting

About the role

The Associate Director, Accounting leads the accounting functions that support HCI's research, education, and outreach mission. This position leads a team to oversee HCI financial reporting, internal controls, recharge center accounts receivable, fixed assets accounting, and the research receiving dock. The position combines technical accounting expertise with strong operational leadership to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficient service delivery across HCI. Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve – which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming – with impact worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Manage the preparation and distribution of HCI and program-level monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in collaboration with the Senior Director, Finance, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness.
• Lead the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Ensure the integrity of the general ledger through oversight of reconciliations, account analysis, and transaction reviews.
• Prepare financial reports for philanthropic gifts, state appropriations, indirect costs, research programs, faculty support, KPIs, and other ad hoc needs.
• Analyze financial results and provide variance analyses comparing actual performance to budget, forecast, and prior year.
• Collaborate with finance leadership and operational stakeholders to support short- and long-term forecasting activities.
• Direct daily accounting operations including recharge center invoicing, collections, reconciliations, journal entries, and related financial processes.
• Establish, monitor, and enhance internal controls to ensure compliance with HCI and UU policies and safeguard HCI assets.
• Review and approve ePRs, purchasing card reports, journal entries, reconciliations, and other materials prepared by the team.
• Review contracts under $10K and advise department heads on issues and risks.
• Contribute to developing and updating HCI financial policies and procedures.
• Support internal audits by coordinating schedules, documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries.
• Participate in special projects, system upgrades, and organizational initiatives.
• Identify and implement process improvements, reporting automation, and financial system enhancements to increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Monitor accounting operations KPIs related to accuracy, timeliness, and compliance; recommend improvements based on data insights.
• Provide timely guidance and support to HCI investigators and staff, addressing ad hoc process and policy questions and connecting them with UU resources when needed.
• Ensure clear communication with department heads through updated training materials, FAQs, and content on the HCI Finance web page.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of accounting and receiving dock professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Set departmental priorities, employee performance goals, conduct evaluations, and identify training opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.
• Ensure sufficient cross-training and coverage for team absences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalency (1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience).
• Seven or more years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, including at least three years of supervisory responsibility.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, fund accounting, and internal controls.
• Proficiency with accounting software.
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with large data sets.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing internal controls and process improvements.
• Experience preparing financial reports, reconciliations, and complex financial analyses.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem‑solving abilities.

Preferred qualifications

• CPA, CMA, MBA or MAcc.
• Experience with fund accounting in a higher education, research, or nonprofit environment.
• Solid knowledge of applicable UU regulations and procedures.
• Knowledge and application of GASB accounting.
• Experience in a higher education research organization.
• Background in process automation or system implementations.
• Experience leading accounting teams through organizational growth or change initiatives.

Core competencies

• Accuracy & Attention to Detail
• Leadership & Team Development
• Process Optimization
• Analytical Thinking
• Time Management & Prioritization
• Positive Change Management