Associate Vice President, Finance

About the role

The Associate Vice President for Finance serves as the College's chief accounting officer and provides strategic leadership for the institution's financial operations. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, this position directs the planning, organization, administration, and continuous improvement of the College's accounting, financial reporting, treasury, budgeting, student financial services, procurement, and business operations.

Responsibilities

• Ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, state and federal laws, Board of Governors regulations, and Board of Trustees policies while promoting sound fiscal stewardship, strong internal controls, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing financial analysis and strategic recommendations that support institutional priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Provides executive leadership for the College's finance and accounting functions and develops strategies that support the institution's mission and strategic priorities.
• Advises the Vice President for Finance and Administration and executive leadership on financial, operational, and strategic matters.
• Identifies financial risks and opportunities and recommends strategies to strengthen the College's financial position.
• Develops and implements policies, regulations, operating procedures, and internal controls that promote accountability, transparency, and operational effectiveness.
• Led continuous process improvement initiatives and promotes best practices in higher education financial administration.
• Provides executive oversight of the College's budget operations through supervision of the Budget Director.
• Strategic financial planning and budget development.
• Annual operating budget preparation and implementation.
• Multi-year financial forecasting.
• Budget monitoring and analysis.
• Internal budget allocations and transfers.
• Carry Forward planning and implementation.
• Salary savings analysis.
• Revenue projections, including student fees and auxiliary revenues.
• Quarterly financial reporting to executive leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Provides financial guidance to institutional leadership regarding fiscal planning and resource allocation across all major fund groups.
• Treasury and Cash Management
• Directs treasury operations, including cash flow forecasting and liquidity management.
• Oversees banking relationships and investment activities.
• Ensures effective management of institutional cash resources and financial risk.
• Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with financial institutions.
• Student Financial Services
• Provides Executive Oversight Of Student Financial Operations, Including:
• Student accounts receivable
• Cashiering
• Student refunds
• Financial aid disbursements
• Collection of delinquent accounts
• Student billing operations
• Banner Student financial configuration and business rules
• Ensures efficient, customer-focused services that support student success while maintaining appropriate fiscal controls.
• Enterprise Financial Systems and Business Process Improvement
• Provides strategic leadership for the College's enterprise financial systems and electronic payment operations.
• Responsibilities Include:
• Oversight of Banner Finance and Student financial configuration.
• Management of institutional online payment systems.
• Development and implementation of electronic payment solutions.
• Integration of third-party vendor payment platforms.
• Business process automation and workflow improvements.
• Financial systems implementation, testing, and continuous enhancement.
• Coordination with Information Technology and campus stakeholders to improve financial system functionality.
• Leads initiatives that modernize financial operations through technology and process innovation.
• Governance, Collaboration, and External Relations
• Serves as Corporate Controller for affiliated College entities, including the Development Corporation and Property Corporation.
• Represents the College with the State University System, Board of Governors, professional organizations, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, auditors, and external partners.
• Participates in statewide higher education finance organizations and professional associations.
• Serves on College committees and provides leadership for institutional initiatives.
• Collaborates with academic and administrative leadership to advance institutional priorities.
• Works closely with the New College Foundation on matters involving accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Leadership and Talent Development
• Provides leadership, direction, mentoring, and performance management for finance and business office personnel.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, customer service, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Promotes professional development and succession planning across the Finance division.
• Builds effective partnerships with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization (business, accounting, finance, or related field) and eight years of fund accounting experience in a higher education environment.
• Experience in Florida’s Higher Education System.
• Experience using Ellucian’s Banner Finance, Student and HR/PR systems.
• Active Florida CPA license.