Assistant Vice President, General Accounting

Job Overview

The Assistant Vice President, General Accounting is responsible for managing and ensuring that the University and Springsteen Center’s accounting policies and practices are consistently followed in accordance with University and Center policies, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Department of Education Title IV, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. This position oversees the Payroll and General Accounting functions and is the primary subject matter expert for federal, state and local payroll tax and financial related compliance matters and regulations. Responsibilities include executing and overseeing a variety of accounting, payroll tax, and account reconciliation processes, and developing and implementing internal control procedures to encourage efficient and effective operations. To be successful candidates must be a strong team leader to successfully guide the work of others and contribute to the financial management of the University and Springsteen Center. This is an in-person, on-campus, non-remote position.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Associate Vice President and Controller in the execution of general accounting functions for the University and Springsteen Center, including journal entries and reconciliations for balance sheet and income statement accounts.
• Supervise and mentor the Payroll and General Accounting team, fostering an environment of accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.
• Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, institutional policies, internal controls and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of IRS reporting requirements for payroll related matters.
• Collaborate within the Controller’s Office to ensure accurate financial recording and timely month-end and year-end closings.
• Oversee the completion and accuracy of timely federal and institutional student loan programs, including Perkins, ensuring agreement between institutional records, the general ledger and the U.S. Department of Education systems, and resolving discrepancies in compliance with federal regulations and audit requirements.
• Perform accurate and timely federal Direct Loan program reconciliations, ensuring agreement between institutional records, the general ledger and the U.S. Department of Education systems, and resolving discrepancies in compliance with federal regulations and audit requirements.
• Manage and perform all payroll accounting and related compliance activities, including the reconciliation and reporting of payroll transactions in the general ledger, performing monthly and year end reconciliations of all payroll related accounts (benefits, taxes, liabilities).
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including IRS requirements, taxable fringe benefits, and applicable higher education standards.
• Perform analysis and account for executive compensation, legal settlements and severance.
• Prepare and review all compensation related information for IRS form 990.
• Coordinate with Human Resources and Academic Affairs to ensure accurate processing of salaries, wages, stipends, and supplemental pay.
• Respond to payroll accounting inquiries from departments, administrators, and external agencies.
• Perform reconciliations of Federal Title IV programs by comparing University records to U.S. Department of Education systems, calculate and process Title IV fund drawdowns through G5, resolve discrepancies, and maintain supporting documentation to ensure compliance with federal regulations and audit requirements.
• Review and finalize the preparation of the financial sections of the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) Department of Education submission.
• Perform regular account reconciliations of student club and agency accounts, verify compliance with University policies and funding guidelines, and work with Student Life to account for journal entries and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Execute and assist with University and Springsteen Center audits (internal and external) by preparing schedules and draft statements for the auditors and providing required supporting documentation as needed.
• Promote cross-training of subordinates to ensure continuity of operations.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and strengthen internal controls.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant professional certification required.
• Progressive relevant experience of at least 5 years, including responsibilities in accounting, compliance, and fiscal operations.
• Demonstrated leadership of at least 3 years’ experience managing teams and business processes in a high volume, compliance driven accounting environment.
• Experience in higher education or a nonprofit environment.
• Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), internal controls, and applicable federal/state compliance regulations.
• Experience with ERP financial systems and Payroll Software.
• Strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving, attention to detail, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, auditors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Intermediate proficiency in MS Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in MS Word and Excel.
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague ERP financial system and UKG payroll software.
• Management and oversight of payroll compliance and/or accounting functions.
• Familiarity with higher education payroll practices, such as faculty or bargaining unit contracts, academic year appointments, and grant-funded positions.
• Familiarity with accounting for higher education Title IV programs.
• Familiarity with fund accounting.

Application Materials Required

Monmouth University requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted via the university’s career portal. In addition to the application, candidates must upload the following documents. Applications will not be considered complete for review until all required documents are uploaded.

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents:

• Professional References

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Barbara Santos at bsantos@monmouth.edu or 732-263-5629

Note to Applicants

Please keep in mind that a job posted as “Open until filled” may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Working at Monmouth University perks:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan (8% employer contribution)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Benefits
• Tuition Remission for employee upon hire
• Tuition Remission for spouse or civil-union partner and IRS dependent after one-year of full-time continuous employment
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Employer paid Short & Long-Term Disability
• Employer sponsored Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), FSA, Telehealth and more

To view a full list of benefits, visit our benefits page at: Employee Benefits Information | Human Resources | Monmouth University

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