PAY GRADE: 33E 

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

Within University Strategic Budget & Finance, the Controller’s Office oversees University-wide financial accounting and reporting and performs related financial duties. The department maintains the official accounting records and related systems of internal control in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), University policy and procedures, and the requirements of federal and state governmental agencies and external funding sources.  The department is also responsible for maintaining the accurate and timely recording of financial transactions and provides accounting and finance-related guidance to other University departments as needed. 

Under the general direction of the Assistant Controller, the Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, leading and managing investment and gifts accounting and reporting processes within the Controller's Office.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Accounting Processes & Closes

Ensure proper recording of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses related to the University’s gifts and endowments in compliance with GAAP, applicable laws, regulations, and university policies.  This includes the review and approval of monthly, quarterly, and annual closing entries and procedures.

Oversee the accounting processes, including reconciliations, analysis and approval of entries, to ensure accounting is accurate, timely and sufficient to meet interim and year-end reporting and audit requirements.  Review of complex general ledger accounting entries include but are not limited to the following areas:

• Review and approve the recording and reporting of all investment activity for the University's endowment and operating investments, Funds Held in Trust by Others (FHITBO's), CGA's, and the reconciliation of the University's general ledger to custodial banks and underlying investment managers.
• Supports and interacts with Chief Investment Officer regarding investment reporting as needed.
• Communicate with custodial banks to improve accounting processes and reporting and to resolve discrepancies.
• Supervise the preparation of the processing of endowment payout, Temporary Investment Income (TII) and Investment Office expense projections as needed.
• Review models of endowment income projections using multiple variables and assumptions as required and requested by various University colleagues.
• Oversee the preparation and completion of all endowment/investment related surveys.
• Maintain compliance with FHITBO’s through annual reporting requirements to the Trustee’s.

Restricted Gift Accounting

• Communicate with University Development Office, Chief Investment Officer and/or Treasury Services regarding new endowment gifts, Charitable Gift Annuities or changes to University operating investment activity.
• Review gift agreements to ensure proper GAAP accounting and reporting.
• Track and report Net Assets with Donor Restrictions.
• Review transfers between operating and non-operating funds.

Financial Reporting & Audits

• Prepare and oversee preparation of investments and gifts workpapers that are audited and support the financial statements. 
• Interact with the University’s external auditors as a primary point of contact as it relates to workpapers and other deliverables.
• Oversee annual statement and footnote preparation and external auditor review for the State of Delaware appropriations and manage the relationships within these areas. as well as certain related entities. 
• Oversee preparation and/or support of various external annual surveys and filings as well as internal data requests.
• Support the analysis and completion of interim reporting including the timeline of required closing entries and performing various analyses on interim financial data.
• Work directly with the University Budget Office in the reconciliation between the GAAP and All Funds Reporting surplus/deficits. 

Other

• Utilize reporting tools and information systems to report on fiscal year activity while continuously identifying opportunities to increase efficiency and streamline reporting processes. 
• Oversee the implementation of Fundriver endowment accounting software.

Leadership

• Directly supervise a team that supports areas of responsibility.
• Represent the Controller's Office on cross-functional initiatives through working groups, committees and team collaboration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Higher education and/or not-for-profit accounting experience preferred. Six years directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excel at analyzing and interpreting financial statements, data and metrics. 
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with major financial systems, including advanced query and report development. Knowledge of PeopleSoft enterprise software is preferred.
• Solid reasoning ability and effective at solving problems.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with others.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize workload and delegate to team members.