Strategic CFO for Higher Education

Philander-Smith-College; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Disability Coverage (short/long-term)

FSAs & HSAs

Employee Assistance Program

403B Retirement Savings Plan

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Philander Smith University invites applications for the Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer. The role leads budgeting, accounting, treasury, and financial strategy to ensure long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the President, the CFO partners across campus, oversees GAAP-compliant reporting, and drives modernization of financial systems and processes. A CPA and higher-education leadership are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required; CPA preferred.
• Ten years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• Senior financial leadership in higher education preferred.
• Experience with budgeting, audits, treasury, debt, and financial systems.
• Experience with governance boards and finance/audit committees is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief financial strategist and principal advisor to the President.
• Develop long-range financial strategies and models.
• Evaluate financial implications of major initiatives and advise on resource allocation.
• Direct accounting and financial operations and ensure timely statements.
• Oversee cash management, treasury, banking, investments and liquidity.
• Lead annual operating and capital budget development and multi-year forecasting.
• Provide executive financial reporting and dashboards to leadership and Board.
• Lead debt portfolio management, capital financing, and treasury functions.
• Oversee procurement, external audits, and systems modernization.
• Recruit, supervise, and develop Fiscal Affairs staff; set accountability standards.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

GAAP expertise

ERP systems

Financial modeling

Treasury & liquidity

Leadership

Communication

Ethical judgment

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

Master's degree preferred

CPA strongly preferred

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

Job description

Philander Smith University invites applications for the Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer. The role leads budgeting, accounting, treasury, and financial strategy to ensure long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the President, the CFO partners across campus, oversees GAAP-compliant reporting, and drives modernization of financial systems and processes. A CPA and higher-education leadership are highly valued.