Assistant Director - Finance, Institutional Accounting, Reporting and Analysis

The Department of Finance, Institutional Accounting, Reporting and Analysis at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a remote Assistant Director.

About the Opportunity

This professional level position provides oversight and leadership for the preparation, analysis and external audits of the financial statements for West Virginia University, including the WVU Health Sciences Center and its regional campuses, and WVU Parkersburg. This position performs a wide range of highly advanced, specialized accounting functions at the institutional level in addition to providing high-level guidance, direction and support to Institutional Accounting, Reporting and Analysis (IARA) staff, Expert Business Officers/Strategic Business Advisors across the University including the WVU Health Sciences Center and the regional campuses, and central administrative staff on the application of complex governmental accounting requirements and compliance with University policy. This person will lead the efforts of the Institutional Accounting, Reporting and Analysis (IARA) staff in the preparation and analysis of the interim and annual financial statements and coordination of the external audit; this includes management of staff. This also includes providing mentoring and training of IARA staff, including supervisory responsibility. Noncompliance with such accounting requirements will result in a qualified audit opinion and/or audit findings which would have critical financial implications for the University and/or the Corporation. WVU's financial statements are included as a blended component unit of the West Virginia Higher Education Fund, which is discretely presented as a component unit of the State in the State's annual comprehensive financial report. At June 30, 2025, WVU reported total revenues and expenses of over $1.3 billion, total assets of $2.6 billion, total liabilities of $1.3 billion, and net position of $1.3 billion on its most recent separately audited financial statements. This position is also responsible for trend analysis, variance analysis, internal and external reporting, forecasting and other tasks.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Leads the efforts of the IARA staff in the development, preparation and analysis of the annual and interim financial statements (Statement of Net Position, Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position and Statement of Cash Flows) for West Virginia University ("WVU") and the West Virginia University Research Corporation ("WVURC"). Also responsible for the development, preparation and analysis of the annual and interim financial statements for West Virginia University at Parkersburg ("WVUP") under WVUP's service agreement with WVU. This includes the preparation of footnote disclosures and required supplementary information in accordance with governmental accounting standards issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), including GASB Statements No. 34, "Basic Financial Statements - and Management's Discussion and Analysis - for State and Local Governments" and No. 35, "Basic Financial Statements - and Management's Discussion and Analysis - for Public Colleges and Universities", as amended, and other guidance. This also includes coordinating the annual external audits and mid-year review/agreed upon procedures engagement, analyzing and researching a significant volume of detailed financial transactions, performing a detailed analysis of variances, preparing client assistance schedules, and compiling supporting audit documentation as required for the external audits in addition to preparing closing book forms required by the WV State Department of Administration/Financial Accounting and Reporting Section and the Higher Education Policy Commission for the State's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the WV Higher Education Fund. This includes providing direction and training to the IARA staff on new or modified accounting requirements, the application and interpretation of University policy, accounting and reporting for significant transactions, and other financial issues. This also includes delegation and assignment of duties to ensure that IARA meets the State mandated deadlines for the issuance of the annual audited financial statements and the deadlines established by senior administrators for the interim financial statements and reporting to the WVU Board of Governors.
• Leads the preparation and analysis of the annual Statements of Cash Flow in accordance with GASB Statement No. 9, "Reporting Cash Flows of Proprietary and Nonexpendable Trust Funds and Governmental Entities That Use Proprietary Fund Accounting", as amended, and other applicable GASB standards, implementation guidance and industry practice. Also leads the preparation and analysis of the interim cash flow statements. The preparation of this statement is complex and considerable professional judgment is required to ensure that cash inflows and outflows are presented appropriately and in compliance with the accounting guidance. This also includes consultation with the external auditors on reporting cash flows in accordance with the relevant guidance. At June 30, 2025, the University reported total cash of over $216 million on its most recent audited financial statements.
• Directly responsible for the identification, research, and resolution of various financial accounting and reporting issues. This includes the consolidation of WVU and the WVURC and other component units and the elimination of inter-institutional balances on the consolidated WVU report and ensuring that balances are reported appropriately on the standalone financial statements for WVU and the WVURC. This requires significant decision-making capabilities and strong professional judgment.

• Directly responsible for ensuring that the financial statements and the financial data recorded in the financial system comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for state and local governmental entities and/or public colleges and universities. This requires advanced knowledge of accounting and financial reporting guidance including GASB Statements and Interpretations, Technical Bulletins, Implementation Guides, guidance from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and other applicable accounting guidance such as Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statements and higher education industry guidance from professional associations and regulatory agencies such as the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Governmental accounting requirements are complex and constantly evolving; this position is responsible for the interpretation and application of new and amended guidance for implementation by the effective dates established by GASB. Noncompliance will result in a qualified audit opinion which could have critical financial implications for the University or the Corporation. Maintaining audited financial statements with an unqualified audit opinion and compliance with GAAP is required by State Code 18B-5-9 (Higher Education Fiscal Responsibility). This also requires extensive knowledge and functional expertise with the University's financial system, including the core general ledger module, subledgers (including the student financial system) and their interfaces and interdependencies, in addition to accounting setups and customizations. Also directly responsible for the development of policies and procedures to ensure compliance.

• Directly responsible for maintaining the core general ledger which serves as the system of record for the comprehensive fiscal activity for the institution, its regional campuses, the Corporation and WVUP. This includes management of the accounting setups and related customizations of the financial system including all subledgers and their integration with the General Ledger module. Responsible for troubleshooting and issue resolution related to the system and account structures as it relates to accounting and financial reporting. This also includes the modification, design, testing, and configuration of the financial system as it relates to financial accounting and reporting. This also includes performing processes related to month end and year end close This requires significant decision-making capabilities and exercising professional judgment. Must constantly consider the long-term effects of cost and efficiency of any action on or modifications to the system. Directly impacts institutional policy in this role.
• Directly responsible for providing advanced accounting guidance, advice, direction and support to central administrative areas (including Treasury Operations, Administrative Financial Planning, Budget Planning, Shared Services, Student Financial Services, Facilities and Services and others), auxiliaries, Expert Business Officers (EBOs)/Strategic Business Advisors (SBAs), the Health Sciences Center, regional campuses, WVU Parkersburg, and other areas. This includes the review of a significant volume of detailed accounting transactions, in addition to schedules and supporting documentation prepared and submitted by other central administrative units, EBOs/SBAs, and regional campuses, for compliance with accounting requirements. Additionally, this includes the analysis and interpretation of complex agreements and contracts and determining the appropriate accounting treatment. This requires extensive knowledge of the applicable accounting requirements and University policy and practices, problem solving skills, and sound professional judgment. Serves as subject matter expert for specialized areas related to financial accounting and reporting (for example, accounting for pensions and other postemployment benefits, compensated absences, leases, subscription-based IT arrangements, sponsored awards, nonexchange transactions, construction projects, capital-related debt, public private partnerships, service concession arrangements, and fair value reporting). As a subject matter expert, assists with the development of institution-wide policies and guidelines for central administrative units and EBOs/SBAs.

• Collaborates with Budget Planning, Treasury Operations, and other central administrative areas on the development of forecasted and budgeted amounts required for financial planning, budgeting and analysis at the institutional level for WVU and the WVURC on a wide variety of financial topics. This includes assisting with the analysis of actual revenues and expenses, as reported in the financial statements, to budgeted amounts. This also includes collaborating with central administrative units on the projection and analysis of cash outflows and inflows and the development of budgeted amounts. Errors or misstatements could have a material impact on the University's budget and financial projections which could result in negative repercussions to the institution such as a loss in federal and state funding, a downgrade in bond ratings, and unfavorable publicity.

• Leads the development, preparation and analysis of various other financial reports for external agencies and senior administrators and governing bodies of WVU, WVURC and WVUP (including the WVU Board of Governors). This includes reports required by WV state agencies, the WV Higher Education Policy Commission, agencies of the federal government, rating agencies, institutional accreditors, and other external and internal parties. Additionally, this includes ad hoc reporting and analysis (for example, assistance with the preparation of cash forecasts and budgets at the institutional level).
• Coordinates and completes finance related projects as assigned by:
  • Performing and leading special finance related projects,
  • Formulating and preparing extensive financial analysis and decision support information for the Senior Associate Vice President for Finance, Associate Vice President for Finance, the Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, other senior administrators, and governing boards (WVU Board of Governors and WVURC Board of Directors),
  • Assisting in policy and procedure development as it relates to financial accounting and reporting and the overall fiscal integrity of the system,
  • Representing IARA in various meetings,
  • Serving on committees related to finance.
• Continuing professional education required to maintain current knowledge of GAAP and keep up to date on changes in governmental accounting standards, industry practice, generally accepted auditing standards, and other accounting and reporting issues impacting higher education and/or state government.
• Acts in a backup capacity for the Director, Institutional Accounting, Reporting and Analysis, as needed.
• Prepared to act as backup, cross train, or perform duties of other positions within the unit based on departmental requirements, established deadlines, and other priorities.

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting is required. This level of education is necessary to provide the applicant with the specialized knowledge of accounting, finance, and business principles and concepts along with the ability to reason and apply them to differing situations.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following:
  • Financial operations and reporting, including two to three years in a large complex organization, including a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in the accounting field.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform the job duties and responsibilities indicated above typically acquired by five years of progressively responsible experience in financial operations of a complex organization.

  • Master's degree in Accounting and/or Certified Public Accountant license will be considered when professional experience is under five (5) years but no less than three (3).

• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In depth knowledge of accounting and financial reporting for state governments and public higher education.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of the hierarchy of GAAP for state and local governments, including standards promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and the ability to analyze, interpret and apply complex accounting requirements.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of fund accounting concepts, principles, policies and procedures.
• Strong accounting experience and experience with the preparation of financial statements, including cash flow statements, the consolidation of financial reporting entities, and elimination entries.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions regarding complex financial accounting transactions, computations, data, and analytics without supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to manage team workflow to ensure that the team's assigned tasks are completed accurately and by established deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and manage a remote workforce.
• Advanced skills with spreadsheet and word processing software (for example, Microsoft Excel and Word), other accounting software and financial systems.
• Strong mathematical skills necessary to perform complex financial calculations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills necessary to explain complex guidelines and accounting requirements, to justify recommendations, and to interact with regulatory agencies and auditors.
• Demonstrated ability to organize vast amounts of data, perform financial calculations and prepare financial reports and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, comprehend and summarize a significant volume of detailed transactions.
• Demonstrated analytical and reasoning ability required to interpret and apply accounting requirements and federal, State, and professional guidelines to unique, complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex contracts and agreements, extract required data elements, research relevant accounting guidance, and determine appropriate accounting treatment. Must have the ability to apply sound professional judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to research and apply critical thinking skills to research and resolve complex issues related to compliance with governmental accounting standards, industry practice and University policy.
• Ability to continually learn and adapt to new governmental accounting requirements, policies, procedures, information systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to learn comprehensive financial system reporting tools.
• Strong professional judgment required to research technical accounting guidance to resolve accounting and financial reporting issues and determine the appropriate accounting treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform complex financial accounting computations without supervision and manage workflow to ensure that assigned tasks are accurately completed by tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage numerous projects, take the required initiative to resolve various issues and problems, and prioritize for completion by challenging deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a demanding, deadline-driven environment with a focus on detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and manage cross-functionally.
• Demonstrated ability to foster cooperation and harmony among diverse groups and maintain effective working relationships with other team members within IARA and central administrative, business office, and regional campus staff across the institution.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial impact and conduct risk/benefit analysis.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks/assignments, produce high-quality work and meet demanding deadlines with minimal supervision in a remote work environment. Must have the ability to quickly pivot as assignments, priorities or deadlines change.
• Demonstrated proficiency with digital tools and platforms commonly utilized in a remote work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's degree is preferred to provide the applicant with the ability to interpret provisions of State and Federal regulations, GASB requirements and NACUBO and AICPA guidelines.
• Licensure as a Certified Public Accountant.
• Experience in state or local government or public higher education.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.