Associate Director, Cash Accounting, Sponsored Projects Finance

+ Requisition no: 513664+ Work Type: Full Time+ Location: Campus|Manhattanville+ School/Department: null+ Categories: Finance/Accounting+ Job Type: Officer of Administration+ Bargaining Unit:+ Regular/Temporary: Regular+ End Date if Temporary:+ Hours Per Week: 35+ Salary Range:Position SummaryReporting to the Executive Director Sponsored Projects Finance, the Associate Director Cash Accounting is responsible for assisting the Executive Director in the oversight of cash accounting related to the University’s sponsored projects portfolio.ResponsibilitiesThe Associate Director manages a team of five professional staff (two Cash Accountants, two Cash Applications Analysts, and an Accounts Receivable and Collections Analyst).

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:+ Providing guidance and direction to team members who are responsible for all aspects of letter of credit drawdown and related governmental reporting; the application of, and research surrounding, cash receipts; as well as collection activities for the University’s sponsored project portfolio.+ Reconciliation of all accounts receivable and deferred revenue balances related to sponsored projects including appropriate classification for financial reporting, as well as partnering with management on the determination of appropriate reserve level.+ Review various cash entries and adjustments including receipts, write-offs, transfers and bank adjustments.+ In collaboration with the Financial Reporting and Operations team, Treasury, Office of Development, and in support of Sponsored Projects Finance itself, ensuring all entries are recorded in a timely manner.+ Working with the members of the Sponsored Projects Finance Operations team (SPF Operations), Sponsored Projects Administration team (SPA) and departmental administrators in the various central and academic departments to resolve questions or issues that may arise regarding sponsored project activity.+ Ensuring sponsor, other external, departmental and affiliate inquiries, including inquiries from federal agencies, regarding cash activity are handled in a timely and appropriate manner.+ Participating in the development of processes supporting collection efforts as well as the identification and implementation of new process improvement initiatives related to the cash accounting operations.+ Review and analysis of various ledger/ financial statement activity including quarterly variances.+ Support various audit requirements, both internal and external.+ Other special projects and duties as assigned.Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree in accounting, plus a minimum of five-seven years of related experience required;Preferred QualificationsAdvanced degree desirable.Other RequirementsExperience with Accounts Receivable and Collections processes required.

Supervisory experience required.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) required.

Must be comfortable working with databases and computerized financial systems.

Must be able to identify priorities within multiple assignments in a high-pressured, short-deadline environment, and be able to work with diplomacy and efficiency in such an environment.

Demonstrated organizational, analytical, critical thinking, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills are required.

In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of employees, be flexible in nature, and have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.

Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / VeteranColumbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.