What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President of Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position at Wilkes Community College?
Posting Details
Position Information
Job Title
Vice President of Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Job Description
Under the direction of the President, the Vice President of Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (VP/CFO) serves as the College’s chief steward of financial and administrative resources. The VP/CFO provides strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability for all financial operations and selected administrative services in support of the College’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
The VP/CFO is responsible for ensuring the long-term financial stability, regulatory compliance, transparency, and operational effectiveness of the College. This role oversees budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, procurement, capital planning, and other administrative functions as assigned.
This role provides executive-level guidance to the President and Board of Trustees on financial and administrative matters, ensuring responsible stewardship of public funds while supporting innovation, operational efficiency, and institutional effectiveness.
See the full profile at https://www.wilkescc.edu/vp-cfo-search/
See the full profile at https://www.wilkescc.edu/vp-cfo-search/
Full Time or Part Time
Full Time
Essential Duties Summary
Core duties will include the following:
1. Strategic Financial Leadership:
- Provide vision and leadership for the development, implementation, and monitoring of short- and long-term financial plans aligned with institutional priorities.
- Conduct multi-year financial forecasting, scenario planning, and sustainability analysis.
- Provide data-informed financial insights to support executive decision-making.
- Advise the President and Board of Trustees on the financial implications of strategic initiatives, enrollment trends, capital investments, and emerging opportunities.
- Align financial planning with enrollment trends, workforce demands, and community needs.
2. Budgeting and Fiscal Management:
- Direct the preparation, administration, monitoring, and revision of the College’s operating, capital, and grant budgets.
- Monitor revenues, expenditures, and cash flow to ensure fiscal integrity and long-term sustainability.
- Ensure effective financial controls, internal procedures, and sound fiscal practices.
- Oversee investment strategies and cash flow management.
3. Accounting, Compliance, and Reporting:
- Oversee all financial accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger operations.
- Prepare and/or review monthly and annual financial statements and required governmental reports.
- Ensure compliance with North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) policies, state statutes, and federal regulations.
- Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, regulatory agencies, and funding entities.
- Maintain sound stewardship of public funds and restricted resources.
- Maintain transparency and accountability in all financial operations.
4. Administrative and Operational Oversight:
- Provide leadership and supervision for administrative units, including the business office, purchasing and procurement, shipping and receiving, bookstore, and auxiliary services.
- Oversee risk management and ensure adequate insurance coverage for the College.
- Promote operational efficiency, strong customer service, and continuous improvement across administrative functions.
5. Capital Projects:
- Ensure timely reporting, compliance, and fiscal accountability for capital projects.
- Collaborates with the Vice President of IT and Operations/CIO to support capital projects’ compliance with state reporting and financial requirements.
6. Leadership and Collaboration:
- Serve as a collaborative member of the President’s executive leadership team.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop finance and administrative services staff; promote professional growth and succession planning.
- Work closely with academic leaders, department directors, and campus stakeholders to support institutional effectiveness.
7. Board and External Relations:
- Prepare and present financial analyses, recommendations, and reports to the Board of Trustees and its committees.
- Serve as staff liaison to finance, buildings and grounds, and investment committees.
- Represent the College in interactions with county officials, state agencies, auditors, and community partners.
- d. Serve in an ex-officio capacity with the College Foundation Board.
8. Oversight of Administrative Units:
- Provide supervision and coordination for:
- Business Office and Financial Services
- Purchasing and procurement
- Auxiliary services (bookstore, events/hospitality (Walker Center), etc.)
- Campus Police
9. Other Duties:
- Perform other duties as assigned by the President in support of the College’s mission and strategic goals
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Significant progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, and fiscal oversight.
- Demonstrated experience in financial reporting, internal controls, compliance, and audits.
- Strong analytical, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage professional staff.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent professional credential.
- Senior financial leadership experience in higher education or the public sector.
- Knowledge of governmental accounting and public funding models
- Experience within the North Carolina Community College System or similar public higher education environment.
Physical Demands
Work is primarily performed in an office setting with appropriate climate controls. Evening, weekend, and travel commitments are needed occasionally and required. The position requires a strategic and analytical perspective, sound judgment, discretion in handling confidential matters, and the ability to balance multiple institutional priorities in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
The position requires a strategic and analytical perspective in addition to a broad knowledge of the operations of the College. Must be creative and enjoy working in a collegial environment that focuses on goal achievement. Requires the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations. Requires strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple institutional priorities. Requires the ability to work independently on projects, from conception to completion. Must be able to work under pressure and handle all confidential matters with discretion.
The position requires a strategic and analytical perspective in addition to a broad knowledge of the operations of the College. Must be creative and enjoy working in a collegial environment that focuses on goal achievement. Requires the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations. Requires strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple institutional priorities. Requires the ability to work independently on projects, from conception to completion. Must be able to work under pressure and handle all confidential matters with discretion.
Essential functions of this position require lifting, manual dexterity, the ability to communicate, reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytic skills.
Physical and Mental Requirements: This position requires the ability to communicate effectively; utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills; and perform essential functions associated with executive-level administrative work. Extended periods of sitting during meetings and computer work are expected.
Language Skills:
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
- Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
- Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
- Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Mathematical Skills:
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret graphs and charts.
Reasoning Ability:
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Medium work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 5 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body; involves sitting for long periods for meetings.
Salary Grade
Salary
Commensurate with education and experience in accordance with the college salary plan.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
10512P
Open Date
04/15/2026
Close Date
05/29/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Desired Start Date
10/01/2026
Review Start Date
06/01/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must complete the Wilkes Community College online application process which includes a cover letter, a resume, four (4) professional references, and unofficial college transcripts (if hired, official college transcripts will be required). Applicant must be able to successfully pass a background check.
Note: It is important that you check the email that you listed on your applications. Updates for this position will be sent via email.