Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition assistance for employees

Generous paid leave

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Director for Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting in Fairfax, VA. This role requires strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of cost accounting principles.

Key responsibilities include managing financial data analysis, preparing cost proposals, and overseeing compliance tasks. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree and significant experience in financial analysis, along with advanced skills in Excel and ERP systems.

George Mason University offers a competitive benefits package, promoting work-life balance and professional development.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of progressively responsible accounting, auditing, or financial analysis experience.
• Familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance and F&A rate development.
• Thorough knowledge of GAAP and GASB requirements.

Responsibilities

• Analyze financial data and provide strategic insights.
• Manage invoicing and reporting for state-funded projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on fiscal initiatives.

Skills

Financial modeling

Cost accounting principles

Data-driven decision making

Advanced Excel skills

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., Banner)

Data-visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)

Job description

Title

Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting

Department

Fiscal Services

Location

Fairfax, VA

Job Summary

The Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting, is responsible for analyzing financial data, developing forecasts, and providing strategic insights to support business decisions within the Controller’s Office. The position requires a strong background in financial modeling, cost accounting principles, internal control management, compliance mandates, and data‑driven decision making. Key objectives include preparing the triennial federal facilities and administrative (F&A) cost proposal, reviewing and supporting the annual fringe benefit proposal, coordinating activities related to the university’s recharge committee, providing leadership support and guidance on fiscal initiatives and projects, managing invoicing and reporting for state‑funded sponsored projects, supporting financial models for forecasting and budgeting, and ensuring debt‑facility compliance. This individual contributor collaborates closely with stakeholders to align fiscal initiatives with the university’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Supports and works alongside other teams within Fiscal Services, as directed by supervisor, Associate Vice President and Controller, and Finance leadership on assigned fiscal projects/initiatives.
• Account reconciliations, documentation review and/or preparation, research, policy and procedural reviews/documentation, managing invoicing and reporting for state‑funded sponsored projects, internal controls management and remediation, and infrastructure/system recommendations.
• Interfaces and collaborates with Fiscal Services customers across the university.
• Supports fiscal year‑end close activities, including account reconciliations and state filings.
• Creates and maintains internal audit narratives that document and strengthen the control environment across the university.
• Provides input and simulates complex financial models to support forecasting, budgeting, and strategic decision‑making initiatives.
• Facilitates the university’s triennial Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate proposal by serving as contract administrator for the outside firm preparing the proposal and facilitating all aspects of data gathering for supporting the contractor’s work.
• Provides analysis and feedback, including financial forecasts and models, to management and Space Committee on impact of internal decisions and external factors such as regulatory changes.
• Reviews proposals prepared by contractors for overall reasonableness and accuracy prior to submission to the cognizant agency (ONR).
• Reviews annual fringe benefit proposal prepared in Fiscal Services for overall reasonableness and accuracy.
• Supports the DCAA audit of the proposal percentage allocated to the F&A function.
• Coordinates with the Recharge Committee to monitor compliance with the university’s recharge policy, including activities such as reviewing annual analysis of recharge units, following up with units, working with units on additional analysis, ensuring rate development complies with OMB Uniform Guidance, assisting units with initial processing, and notifying the Office of Sponsored Programs when recharge rates that impact sponsored projects are revised.
• Debt compliance tasks: monitoring and tracking private business use of facilities financed with tax‑exempt bonds, supporting review and analysis of private business use activities, compiling and maintaining documentation such as leases and agreements, participating in the annual private business use survey and reporting process, and maintaining records for audits and compliance reviews.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5–10 years of progressively responsible accounting, auditing, or financial analysis experience.
• Familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance, F&A rate development, fringe benefit proposals, and recharge center compliance.
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
• Understanding of fiscal year‑end close processes, audit preparation, and reconciliation methods.
• Knowledge of budget modeling, long‑term forecasting, and data‑driven decision support tools.
• Understanding of risk assessment, control design, and audit trail documentation.
• Advanced skills in Excel, ERP systems (e.g., Banner), and data‑visualization tools (e.g., MicroStrategy, Power BI).
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to draft reports, internal audit narratives, and policy documents clearly and accurately.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• 10+ years of fiscal management, audit coordination, or compliance experience with demonstrated exposure to F&A rate proposals, recharge center management, and bond compliance.
• Progressively responsible accounting, auditing, or financial analysis experience in a higher education or government environment.
• Understanding of federal tax‑exempt bond regulations, DCAA audits, and internal control standards.
• Skill in identifying financial discrepancies, compliance issues, and process inefficiencies, then recommending viable solutions.
• Ability to balance analytical depth with practical implementation of fiscal policies.

Benefits

George Mason University provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes employer‑supported retirement plans; tuition assistance for employees and dependents; generous paid leave; and access to professional development resources. Employees also benefit from wellness programs and services designed to promote work‑life balance and overall health.

Equal Opportunity Statement

George Mason University is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.