Director of Accounting & Assistant Controller

Daemen University; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Tuition waiver

Tuition Exchange

Generous time off

Job summary

Daemen University is seeking a seasoned accounting leader to oversee university-wide accounting processes, manage the budget cycle, and supervise the accounts payable team. The role includes monthly close, GL analysis, cash monitoring, and audit support, reporting to the AVP/Controller.

Strong GAAP knowledge and supervisory experience are required. The position offers engagement with auditors, banks, and insurers, plus involvement in annual 5500s and tax-related tasks, contributing to the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting with extensive experience, ideally with supervisory responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting processes.
• Experience supporting audits and annual closing processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to lead a small team.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight of accounting processes and systems for the University.
• Oversee budget process, variance analysis, and monthly forecasting.
• Manage general ledger analysis and monthly close; supervise two staff.
• Oversee Accounts Payable and other accounting functions; daily cash monitoring.
• Support Controller with monthly financial reporting and audit preparation.
• Coordinate with auditors, banks, and insurers as needed.
• Maintain and review journal entries, cash receipts, and fund balance activities.
• Assist with tax compliance, 1099s, and procurement processes.
• Back up AVP Finance & Administration and other staff as required.

Skills

Budget management

General ledger analysis

Accounts payable oversight

Cash management

Audit support

Supervisory leadership

GAAP knowledge

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA, CMA or MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

ERP systems

Job description

Daemen University is a dynamic, independent, liberal arts institution committed to excellence in student centered learning. The University places special emphasis on preparing students for excellence in professional life, civic engagement, and on instilling and understanding that learning is an exciting lifelong journey. Students are encouraged to be creative, innovative, ethically minded leaders for an ever-changing, diverse, and interconnected world.

The Mission of Daemen University is to prepare students for life and leadership in an increasingly diverse and complex world through the integration of education and professional preparation. Daemen University is going beyond instrumental needs to foster the development of individuals who are dedicated to the health and well-being of local and global communities.

Purpose of Role

Provide primary oversight and direction over the operation of (1) accounting processes and systems for the University, continually evaluating such processes and systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness; (2) management and oversight of budget process, with particular emphasis on group/departmental expenses and related variance analysis and (3) oversight of general ledger analysis and reconciliations monthly (4) oversight of Accounts Payable and general accounting functions, including direct oversight of two staff members; and (5) provide daily cash monitoring and control of receipts and disbursements. Work with Vice President of Finance and Administration and Associate Vice President of Finance & Administration/Controller supporting financial reporting and analysis as needed. Maintain professional relationships with auditors, banks and insurance companies

About This Opportunity

• Manage budget process, including identifying key variances both at the University and Vice President level during the budget process, comparing proposed budgeted expenditures with previous year actual, current year budget, and current year forecast amounts.
• Maintain and update user profiles and budget access
• Primary oversight of general ledger, including analysis, reconciliations, and review of journal entries prepared by other office staff.
• Weekly input of journal entries
• Input of audit journal entries as needed
• Input budget entries weekly- (backup)
• Support Controller in generating monthly financial reports.
• Prepare Statement of Activities for restricted funds as requested
• Create budget entry for fund balance carryover after audit.
• Support annual audit
• Provide audit firm with requested supporting documentation and analysis.
• Review accounts in preparation for audit as per audit workpapers schedule. Make adjustments that are necessary.
• Post audit- transfer deferral and prepaid balances to new fiscal year
• Daily cash monitoring
• Researching any positive pay exceptions and approve or decline
• Review electronic cash receipts and logging in daily ACH withdrawals and assigning them to various parties for input into the GL.
• Monitoring EFT log, direct lending log, returning funds as necessary and transferring funds to the General Fund bank account.
• May require access and review during holidays in conjunction with other staff
• Weekly review of student refund processing and transfer of funds to Checkbook.
• Working closely with the Controller regarding availability of funds for the process
• Initiate or approve necessary transfers
• Close general ledger monthly after all activity has been entered.
• Assist Controller in tracking and assuring monthly close is on track
• Complete all items assigned on the Monthly Closing File
• Reconciliation of all bank accounts
• Set up and monitor online payment systems for: camps, admissions deposits, transcripts, college night, student clubs, and other receipts, as necessary.
• Involved with annual Property & Casualty insurance renewals in support of VP Finance & Administration and Controller
• Obtain certificates of insurance as requested. (Backup)
• Work with Controller to maintain WSIB: Canadian worker's comp for student teachers in Canadian placements
• Participate in employee benefit renewals.
• Prepare annual 5500 for employee health benefit plans
• Research and obtain sales tax exemption in states outside NYS.
• E-procurement
• Approve designated online requisitions and payment requests
• Verify budget availability, attachments and accuracy
• Monthly review of E-procurement process for outstanding items.
• Responsible for preparation of credit applications
• Annual oversight of 1099 process
• Keep current with regulationsAssist account payable in preparation of annual 1099's by extracting and formatting data using informer reports
• In conjunction with the Grant Administrator:
• Submission, review and reconciliation of COMMERCE bank VT payments
• Backup for E-procurement users (GLRD, GLUD) updates for vacations, new hires, and terminations.
• Assist in the daily closing process and submission of accounts payable batches to the bank.
• Assist with the bi-weekly payroll entries for staff and students.
• Review or prepare quarterly sales tax returns for the University
• Prepare annual sales tax return for 4380 Main Street
• Credit cards
• Administer credit cards (new issues and setup, cancellations, fraud review, etc.)
• Reconcile and post credit card transactions monthly
• Review credit card expense reports as they are submitted in a timely manner.
• Prepare Adjusting Journal entries as requested/needed.
• Maintain analysis of monthly commissions and follow-up on any missed receipts: Bookstore, Hallmark, and Pepsi
• Review or prepare invoices for bookstore billing
• Administer Abandoned property Law and Unclaimed funds.
• RUN MACs to open books for next year so bills can be run: Notify Student Accounts Office when complete (April/May)
• Liquor License
• Obtain Caterer's Permits for liquor services in unlicensed areas
• File for liquor license renewals every 2 years (9/2026)
• Yurtchuk Student center (3/2028)
• Daemen Hall & Rosary Hall in alternating years (3/2028)
• Back up Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration and other office staff as necessary
• Other duties as assigned by the AVP of Finance & Administration/Controller and/or Vice President of Finance and Administration

Supervisory Responsibilities- Accounts Payable and Clerical support staff (two staff members)

• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training new staff.
• Oversight of daily workflow of the department

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting with at least seven years of experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training, ideally with at least two years in a supervisory role
• CPA, CMA or MBA preferred. Knowledge of fund accounting is a plus but not required.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills and time management skills, with an ability to meet deadlines on a timely basis
• Demonstrate strong supervisory and leadership capability.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Must possess ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university faculty, staff and at times, students, as well as third parties such as auditors and consultants.
• Experience with core business systems, and the ability to utilize system capabilities more effectively.

Total Compensation

Daemen University offers a robust total compensation package that includes:

• Health insurance with an option of two plans: an HSA plan with the deductible funded by employer HSA contributions, or a copay plan.
• Dental insurance through the Guardian network.
• Vision insurance through the Guardian network, and an option between the VSP or Davis plans.
• An 8% employer contribution to the retirement savings account when employees contribute just 5%.
• Fully paid long term disability insurance, guaranteed-issue life insurance for new hires up to a volume of $150,000.
• Tuition waiver for full-time employees and their qualified dependents. Entrance in Tuition Exchange scholarship opportunities to pursue education at other institutions.
• Generous time off for administrative and staff employees.