Assistant Vice President for Finance en Elmhurst University

Description

The Assistant Vice President for Finance serves as the University’s lead accounting officer and a key member of the financial leadership team. Reporting to the Vice President for Business and Finance, the AVP provides strategic and operational leadership for all institutional accounting functions, financial reporting, audit, compliance, and internal controls. This role ensures the integrity of the University’s financial records, the accuracy and timeliness of financial statements, and the effectiveness of financial policies, systems, and processes.

Position Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $135,000 - $165,000. This is the expected salary range for this position. The actual salary offered will depend on a candidate's experience and education, and departmental budget.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the Vice President for Business and Finance to provide strategic financial leadership, policy development, and long-range financial planning in support of institutional goals.
• Recommends and implements financial policies, procedures, and best practices that promote stewardship, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Develops and maintains financial models and analyses to assess institutional risk, liquidity, debt capacity, and long-term sustainability.
• Directs all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, cash management, fixed assets, grants accounting, and financial reporting.
• Oversees the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Ensures a comprehensive, documented system of accounting policies and procedures is maintained and consistently applied.
• Coordinates the annual external financial audit.
• Oversees preparation and filing of all required tax and regulatory reports, including IRS Forms 990, Form 5500, and other necessary filings.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, debt covenants, grant and donor restrictions, and sponsor reporting requirements.
• Establishes and monitors a strong internal control framework to safeguard University assets, ensure the reliability of financial reporting, and promote compliance with laws and policies.
• Assists in the development, monitoring, and reporting of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Provides financial analysis and materials for presentation to the Board of Trustees and its committees.
• Provides leadership and professional development for accounting and finance staff.
• Builds strong working relationships with campus partners, external auditors, and financial institutions.

Other Responsibilities

• Supports the University’s mission, vision and values.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties and completes special projects as needed and assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.
• Seven or more years of progressive experience in a financial leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience with GAAP, financial statement preparation, audits, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Technical proficiency with software packages for analysis and reporting, including but not limited to Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or other master’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related discipline.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit financial management.
• Proficiency with Ellucian Colleague.
• Knowledge of federal grants administration and higher-education regulatory reporting.
• Experience presenting financial information to senior leadership and governing boards.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
The essential functions of this position are primarily performed in an indoor setting with limited exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work is often sedentary in nature and requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods. Required abilities include speaking and hearing for in-person and virtual communication, using close and distance vision when reading documents or viewing screens, and performing tasks with repetitive fine motor skills. Work may require occasional lifting, bending, carrying, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Qualified applicants who can perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Benefits

An overview of Elmhurst University benefits is available here.