Director of Finance

Department:
Finance
Classification:
Exempt
Full-Time
Job Summary:
As operational lead of the Finance Department, responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the detailed accounting records and their compliance with generally accepted accounting standards and the Manual for Uniform Financial Reporting (MUFR) standards. Responsible for the planning, performing, and reporting related to detailed accounting functions. Responsibilities include financial reports, audits, budgeting, supervising staff and compliance with laws and regulations.
Essential Functions:
1. Supervise Accounting Team Operations – Directly supervise Payroll Accountant, Accounts Payable Accountant, and General Accountant, ensuring each functional area operates efficiently, complies with internal controls, and meets critical deadlines.
2. Coordinate Month-End Close Activities – Oversee and coordinate month-end and year-end close process, ensuring that all reconciliations, journal entries, and reviews are completed timely and accurately.
3. Coordinate Annual Budget Process – Oversee and coordinate preparation of budget files for weekly uploads, create and maintain Budget Calendar and Hierarchy of T Drive. Reviews upload files for accuracy and creates P&L report after each upload.
4. Ensure Accuracy of Financial Data – Review, approve, and verify integrity of financial data submitted by accounting staff before inclusion in reporting or analysis.
5. Maintain Internal Calendar of Key Deadlines – Manage and communicate a consolidated calendar of financial tasks and deadlines (e.g., payroll cutoffs, reporting cycles, grant deadlines, reconciliations) to ensure department-wide accountability and timeliness.
6. Lead Preparation of Financial Statements & Board Reports – Initiate creation of monthly and quarterly financial statements and board financial reports by compiling, preparing, and performing first level of review for accuracy and completeness. Provide Executive Director of Finance with completed draft for secondary review, ensuring all supporting schedules and reconciliations are included and accurate.
7. Reconciliation Oversight – Ensure all critical reconciliations (bank, grant, payroll, AP, AR, etc.) are completed, reviewed, and resolved monthly. Investigate unresolved discrepancies.
8. Develop and Maintain Accounting Procedures – Draft, implement, and maintain accounting procedures and workflows to standardize operations across payroll, payables, and general accounting.
9. Coordinate Audit Documentation – Serve as primary liaison to external auditors, coordinating collection, review, and delivery of audit documentation prepared by accounting staff.
10. Monitor and Enforce Compliance with Financial Policies – Enforce adherence to college financial policies at operational level and propose updates where gaps or inefficiencies are identified. Perform ongoing verification of proper departmental internal controls to ensure minimal risk to College.
11. Support System Maintenance and Upgrades – Work with IT and system administrators to ensure accounting and ERP systems are configured to support efficient workflows and accurate financial reporting.
12. Provide Operational Financial Guidance – Serve as a resource to other departments regarding budget coding, expense classification, invoice processing, grant spending, and compliance with financial procedures.
Job Specifications:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting required. At least 4 years of accounting experience required; public accounting experience highly preferred. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) preferred. Must be highly technologically savvy, with data management and manipulation expertise. Must have working knowledge of an ERP system; Banner preferred.
Intermediate skills with Microsoft Excel required; advanced skills preferred.
Critical thinking and analytical skills required. Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and maintain confidentiality.
Positions at Lake Michigan College require regular and predicable on-site attendance as an essential job function. Under certain circumstances, the College may consider alternative work arrangements and will do so in compliance with and according to the parameters outlined in the College’s Flexible Scheduling and Remote Work Options policy.