Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting Posting Number S01251JP Department Controllers Office Job Summary Bowdoin College seeks a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as the Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting. Reporting to the Controller, the Director will oversee all aspects of financial accounting, reporting, and compliance for the College. The individual selected for this position may find pathways to leadership roles and opportunities for career progression within the department.Essential Functions:
Lead the College’s financial accounting and reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements.
Supervise and mentor a small team of accounting professionals, providing guidance, training, and professional development opportunities as needed.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including senior leadership, department heads, and budget managers, to support financial decision-making and strategic planning initiatives.
Provide a high level of customer service to other departments, staff, faculty, students, and parents.
Coordinate and oversee year end accounting close and preparation of annual financial statement and Uniform Guidance audit schedules. Work closely with the Controller to prepare annual financial statements and footnote disclosures. Serve as primary liaison with independent auditors during audits.
Coordinate annual audit and related IRS forms 5500 and 8955- SSA for Bowdoin College Retirement Plan, including preparation of plan financial statements and requested audit schedules; oversee preparation of internal financial statements and form 5500 schedules for Welfare Benefit Trust plan.
Coordinate and oversee monthly and quarterly general ledger closing activities. Review and post monthly journal entries.
Prepare and/or review internal financial reports as needed. Respond to external requests for information, completing annual surveys and other requests as needed.
Work with the Controller and Director of Payroll and Accounts Payable to document policies and procedure. Identify process inefficiencies and internal control weaknesses and work effectively with Controller to recommend and implement improvements.
Periodic review of balance sheet reconciliations prepared by various members of Controller’s Office staff. Assist as needed to resolve outstanding items.
Stay current of emerging accounting standards, regulatory developments, and best practices in higher education finance.
Pay and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is expected to be: $103,000 – $118,000.
A variety of health insurance plans (Effective on date of hire).
Generous Retirement Plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution (Eligible after 1 year of service and age 26)
Life and Disability Insurance.
Paid time off – vacation, personal, holidays, and paid parental leave.
Access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool.
Access to events, speakers, and sport events on campus.
Free fitness and wellness classes!
And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html
Education/Skills Requirements
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
CPA designation (or equivalence of 5+ years of experience in accounting/finance).
Strong technical knowledge of GAAP , financial reporting standards, and internal control frameworks, with the ability to interpret and apply complex accounting principles and regulations.
Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to analyze complex financial data and communicate findings effectively to diverse audiences.
Superior interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that values and respects differences.
Preferred:
Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents
Required:
Minimum of 5 years working in in financial accounting, reporting, and analysis.
Demonstrated leadership abilities, with a track record of effectively leading and developing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
This position will require a criminal background check, education verification, and a credit check.
Please note that as part of the pre-employment process, we will be conducting reference checks, including contacting current or former supervisors, to verify employment history and performance.
Preferred:
Prior experience in public accounting, higher education, or nonprofit environment.
Standard Work Days and Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, or as scheduled with supervisor.
This is a full time, year round (1.00 FTE ) exempt position requiring time commitment necessary to satisfactorily complete job requirements.
Occasional out of state travel may be required.
About Bowdoin
Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.Shift Employment Category Full Time Year Round FTE 1.00 Benefits Eligible Yes Pay Type Salaried Background Check Package Requirements Administrative Staff + Credit Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? No Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? No Posting Date 03/22/2024 Applications Accepted Until Open Until Filled No Type of Posting Internal/External Special Instructions to Applicants At the time of submitting your application, you will be required to include a cover letter, resume, and minimum of three references, including name, title, email address, phone number and how you know the reference (Please note: We request that at least two of your references be a former manager or supervisor).EEO Information Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.Supplemental Questions