Summary and Duties

If you are considering a new job, work environment or career opportunities you should look at Mercer County Community College. MCCC is a publicly supported college that is open to all and dedicated to student success. In order to support that mission Mercer seeks to attract, retain, and support a skilled diverse workforce which is our most valuable resource. We thrive on and are proud of our diversity and open access. Our students and employees find the College large enough for a multitude of offerings yet small enough to keep the “Community” feel for all. The College consists of two campuses, the James Kerney Campus (JKC) in the capital city of Trenton, NJ and a larger 292-acre suburban campus just six miles north of Trenton.
As part of the comprehensive and valuable benefits package the College offers credit course tuition waivers for employees, spouses and dependents. This allows for employees and their families to take advantage of earning a higher education degree without the high cost. The College offers students 69 Degree Program Options and 35 Credit Certificates from which to choose.
JOB DUTIES

• Functions as the Chief Accountant and strategic Accounting leader for the College.
• Provides senior-level strategic support to the Vice President for Finance and Administration and the College.
• Manages and maintains quality control of the following areas: general ledger, payroll, accounts payable, Foundation, WWFM radio station and fixed assets, as well as ensures compliance with GASB and GAAP accounting standards for the College. Represents the Finance Office at internal and external meetings and functions as directed by the Vice President for Finance and Administration.
• The position will act as the primary contact and administrator for the Foundation’s investment and cash management operations.
• The Controller will ensure that all accounting staff are adequately trained as well as establishes standards for ongoing professional development.

• Lead in the college’s annual financial audits, including but not limited to the College, Foundation, and radio station:
  • Serves as sole point of contact with audit firm(s).
  • Prepare report's and general ledger entries.
  • Lead the financial statement reporting and footnote preparation for the College and Foundation Audits.
  • Oversees the annual enrollment audit in coordination with the College’s external audit team.
• Operations and Reporting
  • Lead monthly reporting/closing process from all finance departments.
  • Maintain records and prepare financial reports pertaining to the College’s fixed assets and depreciation schedules.
  • Provide reports to management regarding monthly Foundation reporting for Board meetings.
  • Oversight of Foundation accounting – including monthly and annual reporting requirements, account analysis and reconciliations.
  • Preparation and recording of journal entries as needed.
  • Timely transfer of funds from the Foundation to the College as designated by donations.
• Lead the review and maintenance of internal controls through the segregation of duties, supervision, and documented procedures to safeguard College assets and resources, ensures accuracy of records and reported financial results, promotes operational efficiencies, and adheres to policies, regulations and laws. Supervises, develops and trains staff members within the primary accounting functions and other departments as needed to implement best-practice accounting procedures.
• Collaborates with the Budget Office in managing the College’s
• Document procedures, prepare manuals and assist in training others.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in Accounting or other relevant discipline required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years' experience in accounting or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years' of progressive supervisory experience.
• Strong managerial skills to oversee professional and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MBA and/or CPA from an accredited institution.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations related to higher education.
• Three to five (3 – 5) years’ of experience in accounting within a higher education institution.
• Colleague experience highly desirable.
• Specific experience in managing financial operations in a College or University environment is highly preferred.

• Excellent time-management, planning, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal skills; speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; and responds well to questions.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.
• Strong problem-solving skills; identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; and develops alternative solutions.
• Excellent written communication skills; writes clearly and informatively; able to present numerical data effectively.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and projections.
• Ability to work independently to establish priorities, meet critical deadlines and organize staff to support the Division and College.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including email, databases, spreadsheets and financial reporting.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Core Competencies

CORE COMPETENCIES
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies
Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
Customer Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships.
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
Formal Presentation: Presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups when given time to prepare; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.
Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
Diversity & Inclusion: Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches.
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
Contributing to Team Success: Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.