Supervisor Accounting Operations

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax

Telework Friendly: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Starting at $85k, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Controller's Office provides fiscal services to the University, promoting financial best practices, forming strategic partnerships, establishing efficient systems, and pursuing continuous improvement. Create and maintain a sustainable financial framework and strong internal controls to promote sound fiscal management, careful stewardship of University resources, and accountability. Foster innovation to support Mason's overall mission by employing new methods to deliver financial services and collaborating on process improvements and new initiatives. Provide accurate and timely financial data to ensure comprehensive reporting, compliance, and analysis to enable strategic decision-making.

About the Position:

Supervise the University's Office of Accounting Operations, including the interface and reconciliation between Banner and the state accounting system, and ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data posted to the General Ledger.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise the Office of Accounting Operations within General Accounting Department of Fiscal Services, including the supervision of staff accountants and fiscal technicians;
• Work to continuously improve accounting and reporting processes, systems and tools to streamline accounting operations and enhance reporting capabilities. Work with system analysts, DBAs and programmers to assure programs and systems critical to daily operations are functioning properly and efficiently, including testing of forms and programs during periodic system upgrades;
• Liaise and build partnerships across campus in support of Fiscal’s customers. Be available to resolve the most difficult customer questions or problems and provide instructions when necessary, while maintaining excellent customer service;
• Monitor the status of appropriations, allotments, and cash on the Commonwealth's accounting system (Cardinal). Coordinate with the Budget Office and the primary contact in the Department of Accounts (DOA) as needed. Evaluate DOA administrative changes (such as changes to the Commonwealth Accounting Policies and Procedures manual – CAPP manual) that affect the university;
• Review and approve non-budget Journal Entries to Banner Finance; detect and correct erroneous postings to the General Ledger; oversee the Banner subsystem feeds to Banner Finance: student, budget, financial aid and payroll; manage the month end and year end close of Banner for Accounting Operations. Review all payroll files prior to their submission to Cardinal. Ensure documentation is in compliance with department and university policies and procedures and provide documentation, as requested, for internal and external audit;
• Monitor the interface of the university's accounting system (Ellucian Banner) with the state accounting system (Cardinal) on a monthly basis, assuring that the two systems are reconciled and in agreement. Support the clearing of reconciliation issues. Forecast operational cash requirements monthly ensuring clear communication with management; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Significant experience as an accountant in a complex system environment;
• Experience with complex accounting and reporting systems;
• Customer service experience;
• Supervisory experience;
• Thorough knowledge of financial accounting principles and understanding of higher education and fund accounting;
• Demonstrated communication skills - both oral and written; and
• Demonstrated supervisory skills with proven ability to manage teams and build an efficient and positive office culture to provide the highest level of customer service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as an accountant in a complex system environment in higher education or with a state agency; and
• Certified Public Accountant. 

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Supervisor Accounting Operations at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Posting Open Date: November 29, 2023

For Full Consideration, Apply by: December 13, 2023

Open Until Filled?:  Yes