Chief Financial Officer

Company: New College of Florida

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Job Summary

New College of Florida is Florida's designated public honors college, refounded on the conviction that sound institutional stewardship is inseparable from academic excellence. The Chief Financial Officer serves as the College's chief accounting officer and provides strategic leadership for the institution's financial operations. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, this position directs the planning, organization, administration, and continuous improvement of the College's accounting, financial reporting, treasury, budgeting, student financial services, procurement, and business operations.

The Chief Financial Officer ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, state and federal law, Board of Governors regulations, and Board of Trustees policies, while promoting sound fiscal stewardship, strong internal controls, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service. The position serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing financial analysis and strategic recommendations that support institutional priorities and the College's long-term sustainability as it builds out its classical liberal arts mission.

Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership and Financial Stewardship
• Provides executive leadership for the College's finance and accounting functions and develops strategies that support the institution's mission and strategic priorities.
• Advises the Vice President for Finance and Administration and executive leadership on financial, operational, and strategic matters.
• Presents financial reports, strategic recommendations, and key updates in front of the Board of Trustees.
• Identifies financial risks and opportunities and recommends strategies to strengthen the College's financial position.
• Develops and implements policies, regulations, operating procedures, and internal controls that promote accountability, transparency, and operational effectiveness.
• Leads continuous process improvement initiatives and promotes best practices in higher education financial administration.
  
  

Financial Operations and Accounting Provides overall leadership and oversight for the College's accounting and financial operations, including general accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, procurement and purchasing, travel administration, PCard compliance, treasury and cash management, bank reconciliations, state appropriations accounting, revenue

collection, capital assets and inventory management, construction and plant fund accounting, contracts and grants accounting, sponsored research accounting, and tax compliance. Ensures accurate financial records, effective internal controls, timely reconciliations, and compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

Financial Reporting, Compliance, and Audit

• Directs the preparation of the College's annual financial statements.
• Oversees all external and internal audits and ensures timely resolution of audit findings.
• Ensures compliance with GAAP, GASB, State University System regulations, Board of Governors requirements, federal and state regulations, and Board of Trustees policies.
• Prepares and submits required financial reports to state agencies, the Board of Governors, auditors, and other regulatory organizations.
• Maintains comprehensive financial policies and business procedures supporting institutional compliance.
  
  

Budget Planning and Resource Management Provides executive oversight of the College's budget operations through supervision of the Budget Director. Responsibilities include strategic financial planning and budget development; annual operating budget preparation and implementation; multi-year financial forecasting; budget monitoring and analysis; internal budget allocations and transfers; carry-forward planning and implementation; salary savings analysis; revenue projections, including student fees and auxiliary revenues; and quarterly financial reporting to executive leadership and the Board of Trustees. Provides financial guidance to institutional leadership regarding fiscal planning and resource allocation across all major fund groups.

Treasury and Cash Management

• Directs treasury operations, including cash flow forecasting and liquidity management.
• Oversees banking relationships and investment activities.
• Ensures effective management of institutional cash resources and financial risk.
• Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with financial institutions.
  
  

Student Financial Services Provides executive oversight of student financial operations, including student accounts receivable, cashiering, student refunds, financial aid disbursements, collection of delinquent accounts, student billing operations, and Banner Student financial configuration and business rules. Ensures efficient, customer-focused services that support student success while maintaining appropriate fiscal controls.

Enterprise Financial Systems and Business Process Improvement Provides strategic leadership for the College's enterprise financial systems and electronic payment operations, including oversight of Banner Finance and Student financial configuration; management of institutional online payment systems; development and implementation of electronic payment solutions; integration of third-party vendor payment platforms; business process automation and workflow improvements; financial systems implementation, testing, and continuous enhancement; and coordination with Information Technology and campus stakeholders to

improve financial system functionality. Leads initiatives that modernize financial operations through technology and process innovation.

Governance, Collaboration, and External Relations

• Serves as Corporate Controller for affiliated College entities, including the Development Corporation and Property Corporation.
• Represents the College with the State University System, Board of Governors, professional organizations, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, auditors, and external partners.
• Participates in statewide higher education finance organizations and professional associations.
• Serves on College committees and provides leadership for institutional initiatives.
• Collaborates with academic and administrative leadership to advance institutional priorities, including the College's classical liberal arts curriculum and its resourcing needs.
• Works closely with the New College Foundation on matters involving accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
  
  

Leadership and Talent Development

• Provides leadership, direction, mentoring, and performance management for finance and business office personnel.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, customer service, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Promotes professional development and succession planning across the Finance division.
• Builds effective partnerships with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Remains current on developments in higher education finance, accounting standards, governmental regulations, and emerging best practices.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Vice President for Finance and Administration.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and seven years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and nine years of appropriate experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in Florida's Higher Education System; experience using Ellucian's Banner Finance, Student, and HR/PR systems; active Florida CPA license. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate executive readiness and a genuine commitment to supporting New College's mission as a classical liberal arts honors college.

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring immigration sponsorship, including but not limited to non-immigrant visas, such as H1B, STEM, or F1, now and in the future.