Under the guidance of the Chief Financial Officer, the Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing and directing the work of the accounting department and overall financial operations of the Associated Students, Inc., CSUF (ASI). This role involves supervising a team of full-time and part-time accounting professionals, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations. They ensure compliance with all policies, regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to facilitate solid decision support.

Key responsibilities include financial analysis, budgeting, accounting, and compliance. The Accounting Manager prepares and analyzes comprehensive financial reports, develops and implements robust financial policies and procedures, and manages the budgeting process. This role conducts insightful financial analysis to identify trends and opportunities, coordinates with external auditors, and leads various complex financial projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

1)      Assists with the development, maintenance, and enforcement of accounting policies, procedures, and controls in accordance with sound accounting principles, applicable regulations, and laws as well as best practice. Examines the work of accounting staff for accuracy and conformance to policies and procedures and ensure that accounting treatment is in accordance with GAAP. Upholds work procedures and expedites workflow of accounting staff. Performs duties of individual accounting staff during absences. 

2)      Coordinates and reviews cash balances daily with Chief Financial Officer to ensure adequate funding for operations. Initiates and or approves transactions for transfer. Initiates all wires as needed for vendor payments and special requests. Oversees all Bank transaction activities and functions for positive pay, internal transfers and implementation of new products. 

3)      Responsible for reconciliation of the Interdivisional account, Campus funds held for ASI and related party transactions. Ensures monthly issues are resolved. 

4)      Responsible for reviewing the monthly Campus activity to ensure related party AR and AP are in balance and reconciled. Utilizes the OBIEE system to obtain year over year data to manage our recording of operations. 

5)      Performs account analysis and reconciliation for all balance sheet accounts for all funds. Locates and examines errors and discrepancies and prepares entries to correct general ledger accounts in order to close the books and fulfill other yearly audit requirements. 

6)      Coordinates all payroll activity with HR and is responsible for all payroll, Pension and Benefit transactions. Identifies any payroll system issues and updates related to our data or processes. Coordinates with HR to ensure complete and accurate processing. Makes recommendations for enhancements to processing. 

7)      Oversees the Senior Accountant and Staff Accountant who is responsible for all payroll data entry and perform semi-monthly payroll posting review in accounting system. Assists with all payroll inquiries and assists in the annual and triennial audit of payroll transactions. Reviews semi-monthly and monthly posting of Athletics payroll into the accounting system. Reviews all benefits and pension entries monthly. 

8)      Coordinates and oversees the preparation of annual operating budget requests for ASI, including the Titan Student Center (TSC), Student Recreation Center, and Children’s Center. Prepares final budget proposals and requests for presentation to  ASI Finance Committee, and ASI Board. Updates system records for annual budget once approved.

9)      Serves as the primary liaison between software system vendor and organization. Reviews annual software agreement(s) and negotiates and arrange payment. Ensures coordination with ASI’s IT system administration, Auxiliary Services Corporation, and Campus Information Technology for support on all system hosting and services and support required.

10)  Oversees all other senior accountant activity and makes recommendations for improvement. Manages the chart of accounts, directs adjustments, and changes to the chart and makes recommendations for improvement of existing software system. 

11)  Reviews all capital activity to invoiced Campus amounts to ensure reimbursement is reconciled. Maintains all funds separately in a spreadsheet to reconcile to Campus recording for capital.

12)  Participates in senior staff meetings and provides suggestions and creative solutions to issues and problems that need resolution. Offers ideas for process improvement and enhancements to streamline our delivery of services. 

13)  Prepares journal entries for all funds as required, to include posting and recapping of year-end auditor closing entries. Verifies account numbers, amounts, and purpose of journal entries prepared by others. Enters and posts journal entries. Reviews and analyzes IRA general ledger accounts and initiate journal entries to correct or adjust the balances.

14)  Participates in and contributes to preparation for and execution of all required audits. Assists in the preparation of year-end schedules and reports for inclusion with campus financial statements. Provides internal audit support as requested. Assists with internal and external audit inquires.

15)  Hires, onboards, and supervises the following staff and student positions:

·         Senior Accountant(s)

·         Staff Accountant

·         Finance and Accounts Payable Coordinator

·         Graduate Assistant

·         Clerical Assistants(s)

16)  Assist with special projects as needed in the accounting department.

Education, Work Experience Requirements and Abilities: 

Education and/or experience:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a major in accounting; or a minimum five years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge and abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices; office methods and procedures.
• Ability to problem solve issues that arise from daily transaction management, seeking assistance or confirmation from Chief Financial Officer when needed.
• Financial and analytical systems and tools have ability to present data; and effectively use accounting applications. 
• Working knowledge of accounting methods and related laws, rules and regulations. 
• Proficiency with financial system software. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, especially Excel. 
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers or regulatory agencies. 
• Ability to effectively present information to management.
• Work effectively with co-workers, customers, and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner;
• Listen to and objectively consider ideas and suggestions from others; keep commitments; keep others informed of work progress, timetables, and issues.
• Address problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions. 
• Ability to listen effectively and identify issues/concerns, prioritize work to assure completion on a timely basis.
• Anticipate the needs of the office and initiate action to accommodate those needs. 
• Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Core Competencies

·   Confidence to own processes, communicate issues, propose changes and to be an advocate for ASI.

·   Strong troubleshooting and creative problem-solving skills

·   High attention to detail and ability to multi-task - Accuracy

·   Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships and positively represent finance department to other departments within the company

·   Conquering emails - gain a reputation for following up and responding to emails promptly.

·   Ability to work independently and as part of a team to foster collaborative environment in finance department and ASI as a whole

·   Drive to meet and exceed deadlines, mastering time management

·   Initiative to drive process improvement and efficiencies

·   Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills to interact with team members, senior support personnel, high level personnel and external customers

·   Communicate with other contacts outside the company with limited supervision

Additional Requirements: 

Typical Physical Requirements:

Work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment. There is frequent face-to-face and telephone contact with staff, students, and the campus community.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Special Requirements

Employment will be contingent on a satisfactory employment history and criminal background investigation.  Valid driver’s license and current auto insurance must be on file at all times and must meet CSURMA driving standards.