Manager, Accounting

University of Massachusetts Medical School; Westborough (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Medical School is seeking a General Accounting Manager to supervise the general accounting staff, manage monthly closings, and produce financial analyses and statements for senior management and Trustees. The role requires strong leadership, GAAP expertise, and experience with PeopleSoft.

The successful candidate will coordinate close processes, assist with year-end reporting, and support internal controls across university departments.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in business administration, accounting, or finance (master’s preferred).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced Excel proficiency required.
• Supervisory experience in accounting preferred.
• Experience with external auditors is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the general accounting department, including supervision and training of staff accountants.
• Manage the monthly close process and prepare financial statements for senior management and trustees.
• Coordinate annual external audits and lead schedules; ensure GAAP compliance.

Skills

Communication

Advanced Excel

PeopleSoft

CPA preferred

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Overview

Under the direction of the UMass Chan Medical School Associate Controller, the general accounting manager supervises, tracks, and evaluates day-to-day general accounting activities. The accounting manager's responsibilities include oversight of the general accounting staff, management of the monthly close process, preparation of financial analyses and financial statements for presentation to senior management, University Trustees, and other governing agencies.

Responsibilities

• Review and exercise quality control of the daily operations of the general accounting department, including supervision and training of staff accountants, including asset management staff.
• Oversee and manage the general ledger for daily activity related to the school’s assets and liabilities including UMass Chan’s fixed asset portfolio (including acquisition, capitalization, depreciation, disposals, and reconciliation); ensure compliance with relevant GAAP standards and internal controls. Coordinate with the Properties Manager to ensure accurate consolidation and financial reporting of certain properties not under the direction of UMass Chan.
• Manage the fiscal year-end and monthly closing process, design closing schedules, review all manual journal entries prepared by the general accounting staff; review consolidated financial statements and key account reconciliations, and conduct fluctuation analyses for the monthly UMass Chan financial results package.
• Work closely with Facilities Management, IT, Budget Office and other UMass Chan administrative and academic departments to ensure complete and accurate reporting and compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Assist the Associate Controller in reviewing existing accounting responsibilities, reassessing staff workload and skill sets, and reassigning job responsibilities in order to improve team productivity and efficiency
• Prepare and collaborate with the University of Massachusetts President’s Office on the annual financial report including preparation of campus specific footnote disclosures and fluctuation analysis and assist with the financial statement consolidation;
• Coordinate the annual external financial statement audit, prepare audit lead schedules and manage audit deliverables and test requests;
• Meet financial accounting objectives and established deadlines;
• Conduct research and interpret financial reporting standards (FASB/GASB/GAAP) on new and complex accounting issues;
• Maintain and update general accounting procedure and process documents; identify areas for improvement and make recommendations; ensure existing processes and procedures are in compliance with the applicable accounting standards; make recommendations for adaptation and adoption as needed;
• Conduct annual performance appraisals, set future goals and design development plan for the staff accountants;
• Educate and provide guidance to other departments on accounting and reconciliation matters;
• Work on ad hoc or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a four-year degree in business administration accounting or finance (a master’s degree preferred);
• 7 - 10 years experience in financial reporting and accounting required (CPA preferred);
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills;
• Advanced Excel spreadsheet skills;
• 3 - 5 years of related accounting supervisory experience preferred;
• Experience with external (or internal) auditors preferred;
• PeopleSoft experience preferred.