Chief Accountant - Senior Director of Financial Services

At Sandhills Community College, we are committed to the health and well-being of our employees, their families, and children across North Carolina. Recently, we became a Family Forward NC Certified Employer. Family Forward NC Employer Certifications, issued by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s (NCECF) Family Forward NC initiative, designate employers that offer policies and practices that support the health and well-being of working families and children.

Summary

The Chief Accountant / Senior Director of Financial Services provides senior-level leadership and hands-on support for the College’s accounting and financial services operations. The position is responsible for performing, coordinating, and supporting accounting and financial activities that ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the College’s financial records and reporting while maintaining compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, accounting standards, Board of Trustees policies, and institutional procedures.

This position serves as a key financial leader within the College and provides oversight of College and SCC Foundation accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll accounting, year-end close, and other financial services functions as assigned. The position works closely with the Executive Vice President, SCC Foundation Executive Director, external auditors, state agencies, College departments, and other stakeholders to complete financial activities, resolve issues, prepare financial information, and support sound financial management and effective internal controls.

The ideal candidate is a highly analytical and detail-oriented financial professional who can balance technical accounting expertise with strategic thinking and operational leadership, with a strong customer service focus and the ability to perform and explain complex financial work for college leadership and campus stakeholders.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Leadership and Supervision

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to assigned Financial Services staff, including performance management and professional development, as well as accountability and employee engagement.
• Foster a collaborative and service-oriented culture focused on customer service within Financial Services.
• Coordinate technology platform implementations and upgrades as well as process automation and other operational initiatives affecting Financial Services.
  
  

Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Cash Management

• Direct and oversee College and SCC Foundation accounting operations and financial reporting functions, ensuring financial records that are accurate and complete while remaining reliable and in compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulations as well as College policies.
• Oversee monthly and annual year-end closing processes, including review and approval of account reconciliations and journal entries as well as payment requests and other accounting transactions.
• Lead and assist with the preparation of College and SCC Foundation financial statements and supporting schedules, along with related reports.
• Research and interpret accounting standards and regulations as well as state and federal requirements; recommend appropriate institutional actions and updates to policies and procedures.
• Evaluate and improve accounting processes and reporting capabilities while improving efficiency and internal controls.
• Oversee cash management activities with the Executive Vice President, SCC Foundation Executive Director, and Controller.
• Oversee timely and accurate reconciliation of bank and other financial accounts and maintain appropriate controls over cash handling and financial transactions.
  
  

Internal Controls, Risk Management, and Compliance

• Assess financial processes and identify risks and control deficiencies as well as inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement; recommend and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and other internal controls within Financial Services operations.
• Assist with the investigation and resolution of financial discrepancies and irregularities, along with other financial control concerns.
• Coordinate preparation of internal and external audits for College and SCC Foundation, including audit schedules and supporting documentation, along with responses to auditor requests.
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial regulations and reporting requirements as well as College policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain financial policies and procedures, while regularly evaluating documentation and internal controls that safeguard College assets and support reliable financial reporting.
  
  

Budget and Financial Management

• Collaborate with the Executive Vice President, SCC Foundation Executive Director, and Budget Analyst to monitor the College’s financial position, budget-to-actual performance, revenues, expenditures, fund balances, and other financial indicators.
• Provide financial analysis and information, along with recommendations to support institutional decision-making.
• Assist with the preparation and presentation of financial information and analysis for senior leadership, Board of Trustees, and SCC Foundation Board.
  
  

Qualifications

Required education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting and financial reporting as well as account reconciliations and financial analysis.
• Supervisory or management experience.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting as well as internal control practices.
• Knowledge of governmental and/or higher education accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as financial reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate it effectively to individuals with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Ability to review financial transactions and reports for accuracy and completeness as well as compliance.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a strong customer-service orientation.
• Ability to lead and supervise employees while motivating and developing them.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial management systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
  
  

Preferred education and experience:

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or busienss administration.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience in higher education, community college, governmental, or nonprofit accounting.
• Experience with annual financial statement audits and governmental compliance requirements.
• Experience with Colleague and Informer reporting.
• Experience managing or improving accounting processes and internal controls.
  
  

Sandhills Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, age, ancestry, mental or physical disability, military status or veteran status.

We’re proud to be a Family Forward NC Certified Employer. We’re also proud members of the Moore and Hoke county communities, and we recognize that the more family-friendly workplaces we have here, the better for children and families.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including the North Carolina State Health Plan, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short and long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page: Employee Benefits