What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President of Finance position at University of the Cumberlands?
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The Vice President of Finance serves as the senior operational leader and deputy to the EVP/CFO, with broad accountability for the day-to-day execution, internal controls, and service delivery of the Office of Finance and Budget. The VP provides functional leadership for accounting and investment services, financial planning and analysis, and the full scope of business operations, including accounts payable, purchasing, travel, credit cards, insurance, contracts, and related operational support functions. The VP also serves as the cross-divisional liaison to Student Financial Services, maintaining accountability for revenue cycle integrity and Title IV compliance, and acts as the EVP/CFO's operational designee during absences.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Operations & Leadership
Serve as operational deputy to the EVP/CFO, translating strategy into clear performance standards, service expectations, and accountability structures across the Office of Finance and Budget.
Directly supervise three directors; provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development that promote accountability and service excellence.
Ensure the annual audit, Form 990, and external reporting are completed accurately and on schedule; provide executive oversight of the $240M operational budget program.
Provide governance for operational internal controls, including segregation of duties; promptly escalate material risks and control deficiencies to the EVP/CFO.
Procure-to-Pay Governance & Vendor Compliance
Maintain policy accountability for procurement, disbursements, P-card administration, travel and expense reimbursement, and accounts payable.
Ensure compliance with 1099 reporting, W-9/TIN solicitation, and unclaimed property obligations; review escalated vendor and procurement matters presenting material risk.
Oversee the institutional insurance program and contract lifecycle management, including contract review, repository governance, and renewal accountability.
Daily Treasury & Cash Operations
Oversee daily liquidity management, operating account monitoring, banking partner interfaces, and payment infrastructure (ACH, wire, merchant services).
Coordinate treasury activity with the revenue cycle and accounts payable to ensure cash movement is timely, accurate, and controlled; align with FP&A on forecasts and federal aid draw timing.
Revenue Cycle & Student Financial Services
Serve as Finance's primary cross-divisional liaison to Student Accounts and Financial Aid, maintaining accountability for billing accuracy, timely refunds, Title IV reconciliation, AR aging, 1098-T production, and related federal reporting.
Coordinate with Student Experience partners to ensure the revenue cycle is complete, compliant, and student-centered.
Innovation & Process Improvement
Foster continuous improvement by leveraging technology, automation, and AI to streamline financial processes and build infrastructure that scales with institutional growth.
Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure excellent service and responsiveness to campus stakeholders; maintain current expertise through ongoing professional development.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required; CPA and/or Master's degree strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience in financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and internal controls in a complex organizational environment; higher education or nonprofit fund accounting preferred.
Proven experience leading and developing professional finance teams with a track record of accountability and performance.
Experience with ERP/SIS platforms (Banner, Workday, or equivalent); familiarity with automation, AI tools, or process improvement initiatives preferred.
Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills; ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously within a university-wide context.
Strong leadership skills that encourage teamwork, participative decision-making, and a culture of service excellence.
MISSION ALIGNMENT
At University of the Cumberlands, the Office of Finance and Budget exists to support the institution’s mission by enabling faculty to teach, students to learn, and staff to serve effectively. The Vice President of Finance is expected to lead in a manner that reflects three core values central to that mission: placing service to others first, elevating the student experience, and striving for innovation always. This role calls for a leader who approaches faculty, staff, students, families, and external partners with professionalism, responsiveness, and humility; ensures financial operations are clear, timely, compliant, and student-centered; and continually seeks better ways to improve processes, systems, and team culture in service to the university community.
Cumberlands is different by design. Our employees exemplify our motto in the pursuit of a
“life-more-abundant.”