Director of Finance for SAAS

About the University

The University of South Carolina System is comprised of the state's flagship university in Columbia (founded in 1801 and currently one of the top 50 "Best Colleges" according to U.S. News and World Report), three regional comprehensive universities (USC Aiken, USC Beaufort and USC Upstate), and Palmetto College consisting of four two-year campuses (USC Lancaster, USC Salkehatchie, USC Sumter, USC Union and Fort Jackson/Extended University). Together, the USC System institutions offer more than 450 degree programs on campus and online and are uniquely positioned to meet the state's educational, cultural, health and research needs. The System employs nearly 14,000 people who work daily to improve the lives of students, fellow South Carolinians and the world. Our diverse engaged faculty and staff enjoy a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment.

About the Position

The Director of Finance for Student Affairs and Academic Support provides guidance, monitoring, compliance, and analysis for the departments comprising Student Affairs and Academic Support in the budgeting and finance areas. The Director of Finance has responsibility for $100 million, more than 30 departments, and 5 responsibility units for the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support. This position works in coordination with division departments, the Sr. Associate VP for Student Affairs and Academic Support, and the University Division of Administration and Finance. The Director is responsible for revenue projections and estimates; budget development; monitoring of budget versus actual financial activity and conducting analyses at the responsibility unit and departmental levels; ensuring adequate funding is available to meet division and university strategic priorities and working directly with departments to reprioritize if gaps exist; developing corrective action plans for departments deemed at-risk financially; advising more than 20 business managers regarding courses of action and compliance with purchasing, accounts payable, and Foundation guidelines; monitoring accounts receivable across departments and identifying and rectifying trends of concern; and conducting scenario planning and projections for the university’s undergraduate scholarship budget, including yield and retention assumptions. This role must understand the nature of operations, business cycles, financial trends, and areas of financial risk for each department and each fund type, including tuition revenue, student activity fees, auxiliary operations, sales and service funds, grants, and scholarship funds.

• Conducts training sessions for more than 20 Student Affairs and Academic Support business managers to address identified training needs in the budgeting and financial management areas. Provides training to all new staff on finance and budgeting practices, policies and procedures. Trains business managers on methods to access necessary financial reports and on system functionality that may enhance their understanding of the status of their accounts and financial position of their departments. Provides supplemental information as needed, to support effective trend analysis and financial forecasting within division departments.
• Coordinates capital planning efforts for Student Affairs and Academic Support. Assists departments in linking capital needs to Student Affairs and Academic Support budgeting and planning efforts. Ensures that funding sources are identified for all proposed projects and evaluates project viability based on current and anticipated resources.
• Monitors institutional undergraduate scholarship budget accounts, reconciles all funding sources, and conducts scenario planning and expenditure projections, including yield and retention assumptions by scholarship category. Identifies potential recurring funding gaps and notifies division Senior Associate Vice President. Prepares scholarship billing to the Educational Foundation each fall and spring for general scholarship funding.
• Provides guidance on procedural reviews of procurement activity to the Administrative Coordinator for Finance and Human Resources. Reviews central office account reconciliation activity and report preparation for accuracy. Provides training when necessary to the administrative coordinator for finance and human resources as policies, procedures and processes evolve. Serves as a point of contact or contracts involving Student Affairs and other departments, divisions, or colleges/schools across the institution.
• Manages division budget development of over $100 million in recurring operating funds, more than 30 departments, and 5 responsibility units in coordination with the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support, division departments, and University Budget Office. This role is responsible for revenue projections and estimates; budget development; monitoring of budget vs actual and conducting analyses at the responsibility unit and departmental levels; ensuring adequate funding is available to meet division and university strategic priorities and working directly with departments to reprioritize if gaps exist; developing corrective action plans for departments deemed at-risk financially; advising more than 20 business managers regarding course of action and compliance with purchasing, accounts payable, and Foundation guidelines; monitoring accounts receivable across departments and identifying and rectifying trends of concern.
• Monitors division budgets through periodic reviews of education and general accounts, student activity accounts, auxiliary accounts, grant accounts, and agency accounts to determine the financial status of Student Affairs and Academic Support departments.
• Conducts analysis of revenue trends and recurring spending patterns and develops projections and forecasts to guide future planning and budgeting. She/he identifies concerning trends or necessary budget adjustments and works with department heads and business managers to develop corrective action plans as appropriate and monitor successful execution of plans to mitigate institutional risk. Provides interim reporting to departments and uses aggregate departmental activity to conduct analysis by responsibility units; prepares summary-level fall and spring responsibility unit reviews for the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support.
• Reviews Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs/Vice Provost for Academic Support purchasing card activity for proper tax allocation and object code allocation. Conducts periodic audits of Student Affairs and Academic Support departments to ensure compliance with purchasing card procedures.
• Review Foundation accounts for unusual activity or inactivity. Investigate gift agreements of accounts without spending activity and determine a potential course of action.
• Establish a process to manage grant awards received in Student Affairs and Academic Support departments. Track awards received and agencies from which they were awarded. Review grant accounts as grant period is ending to ensure that available resources are utilized to the extent possible.
• Manage special projects as assigned by the Senior Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Academic Support.

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/108131

Qualifications

Master’s degree and 3 years related experience in business, public administration or administrative services; or bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience.

View the full position description and apply at: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/108131

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, veteran status or genetics.