Senior Manager - Accounting and Business Operations at Central College – PELLA, Iowa

This position is a leadership role responsible for financial management and accounting, financial reporting, and enterprise-wide financial planning and analysis (FP&A) for Central College. This highly complex and critical role ensures accurate, timely, and decision-useful financial information while strengthening financial controls, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technology-enabled workflows across the organization. This role supervises key business office staff and plays a critical role in maintaining the general ledger, performing day-to-day treasury tasks, preparing financial reports, and supporting audits. This position reports to the CFO & Controller and partners with other departments and functions across the College, to ensure consistency, compliance and provide operational leadership in advancing sound fiscal practices across the college.

1. General Ledger and Month-End Close

· Manage daily accounting operations and ensure proper maintenance of the general ledger.

· Maintain ERP system for general ledger, fixed assets, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll coding.

· Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, and accruals.

· Ensure that all accounts are periodically reconciled to ensure completeness and accuracy.

· Ensure timely and accurate posting of transactions in compliance with GAAP and institutional policy.

2. Treasury and Cash Management

· Manage daily cash operations, bank relationships, and cash flow projections.

· Assist CFO & Controller with monitoring liquidity needs.

· Manage debt service payments and schedules.

3. Financial Reporting and Analysis

· Prepare internal financial reports and dashboards for departmental and institutional use.

· Assist the CFO & Controller by preparing the monthly financial statements, in both internal and external formats.

· Analyze variances and trends to support financial planning and decision-making.

· Develop financial reporting as requested by the Senior Leadership Team and to support the Board of Trustees.

4. Grants and Restricted Funds Accounting

· Monitor grant and donor-restricted fund activity to ensure compliance with restrictions and reporting requirements.

· Assist with indirect cost allocations and Uniform Guidance compliance.

· Coordinate reporting and support for federal and private grants in partnership with Sponsored Programs.

5. Endowment and Investment Accounting

· Support tracking and reconciliation of endowment and investment activity.

· Maintain unitization schedules and ensure compliance with donor restrictions and spending policies.

· Collaborate with Advancement to ensure alignment between accounting and donor records.

6. Business Process Collaboration and Alignment

· Develop business processes from end to end in collaboration with other functional areas and departments.

· Identify process improvements and enhancements to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

· Identify critical process risk areas and build mitigation strategies.

7. Audit Preparation and Internal Controls

· Support the CFO & Controller in preparation for the annual audit by compiling workpapers, schedules, and documentation.

· Assist in implementing and monitoring effective internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure financial accuracy.

· Address audit findings and recommend improvements as needed.

8. Policy Implementation and Compliance

· Ensure adherence to institutional accounting policies and support ongoing training for departments.

· Stay current with regulatory and compliance changes affecting nonprofit and higher education accounting.

· Assist in updating accounting policies and procedures as needed.

9. Staff Supervision and Development

· Lead, mentor, and evaluate accounting staff; promote a culture of accountability, service, and continuous improvement.

· Support professional development through training, cross-training, and clear performance expectations.

· Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business management or related field.

· 8-10 years of progressive experience in financial management, reporting, FP&A, or business operations.

· Strong knowledge of financial regulations, internal controls, SOP development, and process improvement.

· Proficiency with financial software and student information systems.

· Excellent communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.

· Demonstrates a strong sense of curiosity and seeks to understand problems, processes, and perspectives at a deeper level.

· Proactively asks questions to uncover root causes, opportunities, and new ideas.

· Learns quickly when facing new situations and can adapt knowledge to unfamiliar challenges.

· Comfortable navigating ambiguity and rapidly acquiring new skills, tools, or methods.

Central College Brand Expectations:

· Demonstrate a network of caring relationships by showing respect for others, being dependable and promoting cooperation with others in the work environment.

· Be your best self by being accountable for responsibilities, adapting well to change and maintaining the highest standards of business ethics.

· Perform job responsibilities on campus to support the residential college environment.

· Strive to perform as effectively as possible while maintaining a high level of quality and promoting personal growth and development.

· Respect and comply with college rules and policies, including participation in required training courses; report any suspected violations of the Title IX policy to the Title IX Coordinator.