Assistant Director, Financial Management

Job Description

We seek a dynamic, proactive, and analytical Assistant Director of Financial Management to oversee the financial management of all aspects of procurement and bank account management, including monthly international bank reconciliations for all Global Centers, which entails reconciling local financial statements on all accounts and ensuring accuracy of financial reporting.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director is responsible for managing, monitoring, advising on, and enforcing compliance with University and departmental financial policies and procedures. The incumbent works closely with Columbia Global and the Global Center Finance teams to ensure adherence to university financial policies and procedures. The incumbent will also be responsible for overseeing and supervising the work of direct reports. The incumbent is also one of the primary liaisons with other financial offices on campus.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Finance in developing, revising, interpreting, and directing the implementation of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the day-to-day financial operations and the long- and short-term goals and objectives of the Finance team and Columbia Global. Assure compliance with all applicable Columbia University financial policies, procedures, and provisions. Effectively communicate all issues to key stakeholders in a timely, appropriate and succinct way.
• Support the daily operations of Columbia Global’s Finance Unit, including processing cash receipts, accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, financial reports, and payroll. Process month-end and year-end journal entries and ensure accurate journal postings. Approve cash reconciliations, invoices, vouchers, and budget adjustments.
• Oversee purchasing, manage all procurement processing, maintain contracts, and keep accurate documentation. Work with Purchasing and service providers on procurement agreements and represent the department in negotiations with vendors. Reconcile own purchasing p-Card transactions and approve for other users.
• Oversee and approve all payroll and ARC transactions, including invoices, general journal, fund transfers, and revenue entries for the department. Provide final review and approve expense reports for reimbursement by the University for Columbia Global.
• Responsible for the monthly bank reconciliations for all Global Centers (28+ bank accounts). Work with each center to ensure the accuracy of the financial reporting. Responsible for the reconciliation of local financial statements on all accounts, including grants and sponsored programs, against CU systems.
• Oversee the completion of various financial reports. Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual balance sheets and statements of revenue and expenditures. Present reports to the Director of Finance, Columbia Global leadership, and other units as needed.
• With the Columbia Global Finance team, collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Projects and Office of Alumni Development to set up processes for the accurate and timely management of all grants and gifts that meet the University’s specified guidelines and regulations. Assist with the submission of required documentation of budgets as required by Sponsored Projects.
• Supervise and oversee the work of Financial Management team members.
• Serve as relationship manager with outside vendors and partners, including proactively managing and troubleshooting issues. Responsible for the lifecycle of needs for all vendors. Manage vendor maintenance. Ensure that all payments are made in a timely manner.
• Manage relationships between Columbia Global, CU Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Payroll, and other schools and university offices.
• Train Columbia Global Centers’ local center financial managers and officers on Columbia University policy and procedures, including compliance, proper financial management, and budgeting. Monitor local financial staff for compliance and develop appropriate training materials.
• Assist external auditors by providing needed data and responding to inquiries during or at completion of audits and implement audit recommendations.
• Effectively manage the planning and execution of self and team to deliver on team priorities in a timely way.
• Proactively conduct analysis and review of operations, systems, and activities and recommend areas for increased effectiveness and efficiency.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum 5 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of University financial policies and systems (ARC, FDS, PAC, FFE, and FinSys) is preferred.

Other Requirements

• Relevant experience in areas of financial management
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to take initiative, establish priorities, and use good, independent judgment
• Ability to work under pressure and without supervision
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion
• Ability to work as a team player in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent computer skills, including advanced knowledge of Excel

About the Organization

Columbia Global (CG) is a groundbreaking new initiative that aims to establish a unifying and strategic platform to promote and facilitate impactful engagement of the University’s faculty, students, and alumni with the world; enhance understanding; address global challenges; and advance knowledge and its exchange. Columbia Global aligns some of the University’s key global initiatives, including but not limited to the Columbia Global Centers, Columbia World Projects, and the Institute for Ideas and Imagination.