General Accounting and Budget Manager

Job Description

The General Accounting and Budget Manager oversees the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the University’s annual operating budget. The role also supports strategic financial planning and long-range forecasting and provides analytical guidance to senior leadership as well as academic and administrative departments. This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Finance and Budget.

Responsibilities

• Budget Development & Management
• Lead the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the annual operating budget.
• Partner with academic and administrative departments to develop budgets, forecasts, and multi-year financial projections.
• Maintain budget-to-actual results, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support strategic financial planning initiatives and long-range modeling.
• Financial Analysis & Reporting
• Develop timely and accurate management reports and dashboards for senior leadership.
• Analyze financial trends, enrollment impacts, and cost drivers to support decision-making.
• Prepare ad hoc financial analyses and scenario modeling as requested.
• Will participate in special projects as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer or the Senior Director of Finance and Budget.
• Supervision & Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with Controller, General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Student Accounts, and Financial Aid. Provide assistance as needed.
• Support the preparation and review financial statements, schedules, and variance analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as a financial resource to department leaders, providing guidance on budgeting and fiscal stewardship.
• Systems & Process Improvement
• Manage and optimize financial systems.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve data quality, and enhance reporting efficiency.
• Support system upgrades, implementations, and process automation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, funding requirements, contractual requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Aid in developing, documenting, and improving financial policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including supervisory responsibility, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit environment.
• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is highly desirable.
• Technical & Professional Skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and people skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word is required.
• Strong experience using artificial intelligence tools, particularly Microsoft Copilot, is desirable.
• Experience with nonprofit or higher education financial systems preferred; knowledge of Banner Finance is a plus.

Benefits

• The annual salary range for this position is $95,000 - $105,000.
• PTO and Sick days
• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Enhanced Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% employer sponsored Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program