Director of Finance

Everett Community College; Everett (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Everett Community College is seeking an experienced Director of Finance and Controller to lead core financial operations, safeguard financial reporting, and ensure audit readiness. The role reports to the Vice President of Finance and emphasizes participatory leadership, process improvement, and strong internal controls.

The ideal candidate combines fund/governmental accounting expertise with a collaborative leadership style, coaching staff and driving accountability across the finance team and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Five years of professional accounting experience including fund accounting or governmental financial reporting.
• Three years in a management role supervising staff.
• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and governmental internal control frameworks.
• Ability to communicate technical financial data to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Manage core financial functions including GL, accounts payable/receivable, and treasury.
• Oversee chart of accounts and ERP/system accounting structure.
• Direct year-end close and GAAP/GASB financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with state/federal regs and internal controls; support audits.
• Supervise staff; align with collective bargaining agreements; foster collaboration.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Fund/government accounting

GAAP/GASB knowledge

Internal controls

Staff coaching/mentoring

Communications skills

Change management

Visionary leadership

Oral & written communication

Teamwork

Student-centered mindset

Diversity, equity & inclusion

Accountability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Job description

This position is eligible for hybrid work location, per Everett Community College’s Telework Policy

Everett Community College is seeking an experienced and collaborative accounting leader to serve as Director of Finance and Controller for the College’s accounting functions. Reporting to the Vice President of Finance, the Director will lead core financial operations, safeguard the integrity of financial reporting and systems, oversee year-end close and annual financial statements, and maintain strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness.

The ideal candidate will pair strong fund or governmental accounting expertise with an approachable, participatory leadership style. They will coach and develop staff, improve processes and documentation, resolve complex fiscal issues, communicate technical information clearly to diverse audiences, and serve as the Vice President’s primary advisor on accounting and fiscal matters. This is an opportunity to strengthen reliable, high-functioning financial operations that support the College and the students it serves.

Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Operations

• Manage the College’s core financial functions, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and treasury services.
• Oversee the integrity of the Chart of Accounts and the account structure within the College’s enterprise information system.
• Direct the fiscal year-end closing processes to ensure compliance with timelines set by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and other state agencies.
• Resolve complex accounting discrepancies and ensure the routine reconciliation of federal, state, and local funds.
• Coordinate the preparation and accuracy of annual financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards.

Compliance

• Administer financial processes to ensure adherence to State and Federal regulations, as well as College policies.
• Serve as the primary liaison for external audit engagements and the Office of the State Auditor.
• Manage the integrity of financial internal controls and conduct regular risk assessments of fiscal activities.
• Facilitate federal and state disclosure reporting and satisfy external requests for information related to accreditation and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Continuously evaluate and improve departmental procedures and documentation to maintain regulatory compliance.

Leadership

• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff in alignment with collective bargaining agreements and College policies.
• Promote clear communication, collaboration, and accountability within the team.
• Coach and mentor staff on technical accounting standards and College business processes.
• Respond to grievances and manage employee performance to ensure efficient departmental operations.

General Duties

• Serve as the primary technical advisor to the Vice President of Finance on all accounting and fiscal matters.
• Represent the college on State Boards, Councils, and internal committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental operations and meet the needs of the campus, including acting for the Vice President of Finance as directed.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Five (5) years of professional accounting experience, including fund accounting or governmental financial reporting.
• Three (3) years of experience in a management role supervising professional staff.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and governmental internal control frameworks.
• Skill in managing integrated financial systems and performing complex data analysis.
• Ability to interpret and apply state and federal financial regulations.
• Ability to communicate technical financial data to diverse audiences.
• Participatory Management: Provide opportunity for assigned staff to participate in management decision-making when and where appropriate. Consistently seek out appropriate information and input that ensure stakeholders perspective is considered;
• Approachability: Willing to take immediate time to actively listen to others. Considered "accessible" or can be depended upon to be available when needed. Responsive;
• Change Management: Initiate and/or manage the change process and energize it on an ongoing basis, taking steps to remove barriers or accelerate its pace;
• Leadership: Lead by example – serve as an appropriate role model to colleagues. Demonstrate confidence within areas of expertise - promote a cooperative work environment. Ability to appropriately apply leadership techniques to motivate, develop and guide employees;
• Visionary Leadership: Create a clear, compelling vision. Communicate vision and gain commitment. Act in accordance with vision. Display passion and optimism. Mobilize others to fulfill the vision;
• Oral & Written Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations. Listen and get clarification. Respond well to questions. Demonstrate group presentation skills. Participate in meetings. Structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents. Review and edit written work constructively. Ability to tailor to audience in mind;
• Student Centered: Ensures attention, interest, activities and efforts are centered upon the best interest of students. Create and support an environment that enables learners to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals. Provide courteous and helpful responses to all customers, whether they be students, general public or employees from another department;
• Support for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Support initiatives of the College and departments to expand the human qualities that differentiate our workforce and workplace. Exemplify tenants of tolerance, acceptance and interest in different viewpoints, cultures, and backgrounds and demand similar conduct of assigned staff and department;
• Accountability: Accountable for own actions, decisions, errors, mistakes and/or failures to act when appropriate. Accept responsibility when given, understand what duties employee is responsible for and can be counted upon to carry out those responsibilities; and
• Teamwork: Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism, and to cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements

Everett Community College follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants:

• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, printers, and telecommunication devices.
• Ability to observe, analyze, and interpret data from various sources.
• Ability to prepare and present detailed reports, both in written and audible formats.
• Ability to exchange information on the phone, through video conferencing, or in person.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing routine tasks.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Terms of Employment

• Full-time position, Monday through Friday, twelve (12) months per year.
• FLSA Exempt employee with a year-to-year contract.
• Position is subject to Everett Community College policies and procedures.
• Performance will be evaluated annually.

Notice to Applicants

This position is not eligible for an employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.