Director, Accounting

Job Description

The Director of Accounting provides expertise and operational oversight for the institution's accounting and business service functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with applicable University of Missouri System, federal, state, and regulatory requirements. This role supports the institution's mission by safeguarding financial integrity, enhancing financial transparency, and promoting best practices. This position collaborates closely with the University of Missouri System Controllers Office and serves as the campus subject matter expert on accounting policies, practices, and related operations.

Success requires possession of a strong technical accounting foundation, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet both internal and external reporting deadlines while maintaining a high standard of quality and professionalism.

This position is primarily a single contributor with limited supervisory responsibilities reporting directly to the Senior Director of Accounting and Financial Planning.

• Manage fiscal year end close including preparing, reviewing, and approving transactions and uploads.
• Manage annual financial sub-certification responsibilities including review and response to noted exceptions.
• Manage campus accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and financial reporting.
• Collaborate successfully with UM System and Shared Services on polices and best practices.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and ad hoc reports.
• Support institutional initiatives, accreditation processes, and long‑term financial sustainability efforts.
• Collaborate with Financial Planning to prepare quarterly and ad hoc forecasts and variance analysis for Board of Curators and campus leadership.
• Lead plant fund accounting, asset management and capitalization efforts.

• Oversee external audits, single audits, and related reporting; serve as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Support regulatory and compliance reporting, including financial statements, tax filings, and grant‑related reports for UMSL and its affiliated units.
• Ensure campus compliance with Unrelated Business Income (UBI) and Private Business Use (PBU) requirements, including analysis, documentation, and coordination with UM System Controllers Office.
• Provide assistance with preparation of financial sections of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reports both annually and periodic 3‑year Division II audit (Agreed Upon Procedures).
• Ensure compliance with university internal controls by developing, reviewing, testing, and maintaining campus wide accounting policies, processes, and procedures.
• Perform ad hoc and specialized funding compliance on select restricted funding sources.
• Support reconciliation of subsidiary systems including Advancement and Student Financial systems.

• Mentor business managers and promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate complex accounting matters including performing analysis, conducting independent research and recommend practical solutions.
• Oversee daily transactional activities to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with policies and internal controls, while maintaining responsive, high‑quality customer service and effective relationship with University of Missouri Shared Services.
• Perform fixed asset accounting, including capitalization, impairment and disposals, monthly accounting.
• Ensure completion of accounting deliverables, designing, and implementing complex templates as needed to support accurate and efficient reporting.
• Supervise small staff directly and on special projects as needed.

• Collaborate with University of Missouri Controller's Office to ensure the effective use of financial systems and ERP platforms, partner with IT and functional stakeholders on system enhancements and implementations.
• Identify…