Director of Finance

Title: Director of Finance

VP Area: Finance & Operations

Department: Business Operations

Published Salary Range: $60,000-$85,000

Lake Superior State University invites applications for a Director of Finance position reporting directly to the V.P. For Finance and Operations.  The successful candidate will lead a well-qualified team in LSSU’s business office, which oversees all university accounting operations, purchasing, budgeting, and reporting functions.  Specific responsibilities include organizing, directing, and evaluating a wide variety of financial activities for the University’s basic system of accounting and financial control; managing and overseeing Student Financial Services, Purchasing, Budgeting, and Senior Accounting staff; managing and overseeing all banking and investment relationships.

LSSU is seeking a team-oriented and detail-focused individual to ensure that all financial activity of the university is budgeted, recorded, and substantially correct. We seek an enthusiastic and motivated individual to embrace this tremendous opportunity to work within a team that will help lead the university as it carries out the institution’s strategic plan. This person will also advise senior management when needed and assist with administrative tasks for Business Operations.

Lake Superior State University is located in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, bordering Canada and surrounded by three Great Lakes. With four seasons, it is a prime location for any outdoor enthusiast, surrounded by the rich natural resources of Northern Michigan. The Director of Finance will join a strong team led by the Vice President for Finance and Operations.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Reports to the Vice President of Finance and Operations. Responsible for organizing, directing, and evaluating a wide variety of financial activities for the University’s basic system of accounting and financial control; responsible for managing and overseeing Student Financial Services, Purchasing, Budgeting, and Senior Accounting staff. Manages and oversees all banking and investment relationships.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Directly supervise and maintain quality control for University business operations; including general ledger and budgets. Ensure accounting records are accurate and complete. 

Oversee preparation of various financial reports and tax documents required by Federal, State and private agencies. Ascertain that established University financial policies and procedures are being followed; implement changes in accounting policies, procedures, and processes to reflect changes in the regulations, policies and procedures of the various Federal, State, and professional bodies that impact the operations of the University business areas as well as changes approved by the University Board of Trustees.

Supervise the budget planning process at the University and work with various units to ensure funds are allocated properly. Oversee preparation of annual General Fund revenue, expense, and transfer budgets; as well as Auxiliary and other budgets as requested.

Monitor the maintenance of software packages used by the financial areas of University (Banner). Understand the operation of assigned software modules; be aware of the interactions between the major software modules and the effects they have on each other.

Oversee and assist in preparing and posting journal entries to record financial activity of the University.

Assist and support all Finance reform efforts that are initiated by the CFO and work toward improving operational efficiency and streamlining processes. Evaluate present accounting and operational systems and recommend changes as needed. Create procedures, processes, and documents to support these as appropriate. Assist staff with problem solving.

Perform distributions of investment or endowment assets and asset appreciation according to University or Foundation policies.

Has primary responsibility for all financial audits.  Review or conduct or assist with periodic audit functions across campus; prepare schedules and analyses for any external or internal audits deemed necessary.

Perform other duties as assigned by CFO.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree-major in accounting or business required, Master’s degree or CPA preferred; knowledge of governmental fund accounting; seven or more years of experience in accounting work including both electronic data processing and spreadsheet applications, with at least three years of supervisory experience; ability to work well with others and communicate effectively.

Physical Demands:

Adequate physical fitness to be able to sit and concentrate for long periods of time; use of fine motor skills to operate computer; problem solving ability; ability to understand and work with numbers; ability to see, hear and speak with or without the use of aids to perform normal office tasks.

Work Hours: 

Mon – Fri, 8am-5pm