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Associate Director, Cash Accounting, Sponsored Projects Finance

Employer
Columbia University
Location
New York City, New York
Salary
unspecified
Closing date
May 15, 2021

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Job Role
Non-executive Director
Sector
Education & Training
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions.  It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.  Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting path breaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, a world-renowned medical center, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, twenty-five libraries, and more than one hundred research centers and institutes.  The creation of the Columbia Climate School was recently announced and while not yet operational, is the first new school in 25 years at the University.  Columbia can claim 86 Nobel Laureates as well as over 380 new inventions each year.  Columbia is rated in the top 10 of private employers in NYC, and minorities make up 45% of faculty and staff. We are committed to attracting and retaining the best and brightest in the workforce to support our mission of excellence in higher education and research.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Reporting 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.  The 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.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, plus a minimum of five-seven years of related experience required; advanced degree desirable.  Experience 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.

To be considered an applicant, all interested parties MUST apply through the Columbia University online employment application system. Paste the following quick link into your browser to access this position posting:

http://opportunities.columbia.edu/cw/en-us/job/513664?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Columbia University is an Equal Employment / Affirmative Action Employer

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