Description

RANK: Administrator VI

SEARCH NUMBER: S25-033

Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 9,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

The Director is responsible for the overall direction of the Accounting, Accounts Payable and Payroll Departments, with specific supervisory responsibility for Accounting. Utilizing Connecticut State, university ERP, and desktop computer systems, the Director meets the financial information needs of the University community, CSCU System Office, regulatory agencies and other interested external parties. To support the University’s strategic goals and objectives, the incumbent provides management with financial practices, information systems and support services to help them achieve their goals and objectives. By monitoring financial and operational reports plus activity indicators, the Director continuously appraises senior management on the organization’s actual performance. Regularly interact as a consultant with the President, Vice Presidents, Deans and other departmental administrators on the results of operations, financial controls, policies and procedures. Budgetary policies and procedures are established and revised by the Director in collaboration with the Director of Budgeting. Implements control and reconciliation procedures in accounting, accounts payable and payroll. Participation in the continual evolution of financial and operational information systems is expected.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruits, trains and supervises the accounting staff. Organizes and prioritizes the operating activities of the accounting services group and assigns workload to staff. Promotes professional and educational growth opportunities for the staff. Establishes appropriate performance expectations and performs periodic performance reviews to appraise staff of their progress and areas for improvement. Keeps employees adequately informed on matters affecting their department, job and performance. Serves as a liaison on personnel issues for the staff where applicable.

Develops and/or updates specific University accounting policies and procedures for approval by the controller, vice president for finance and administration, other related areas and the President’s Cabinet. Collaborates with leadership in accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll to develop and/or update University policies for approval by the same. Develops, revises and communicates the protocols and forms used by departments to report accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll activities and transactions. Communicates the policies and procedures to the University community via departmental workshops and individual training sessions.

Participates in the continuous review of existing accounting control systems, policies and procedures. Recommends new or modified controls, policies and procedures to safeguard university assets and promotes operational efficiency. Ensures that periodic reconciliations and analysis of University accounts are performed to safeguard University assets.

Ensures timely and accurate creation of all internal and external financial reports for the University. Develops, maintains and coordinates the financial closing cycle including the creation of periodic reports for the University community, CSCU and the Board of Regents, regulatory agencies, federal and public grant providers and other interested third parties.

Ensures the timely and accurate creation of periodic regulatory filing with federal, state and local authorities.

Leads in the internal administration of the external audit.

Coordinates all mainframe and microcomputer systems development, installations, upgrades and interfaces for the general ledger, accounts payable and payroll systems. Acts as a liaison with the information systems group for programming, operations, networking and security needs for the accounting services group.

Participates as a senior member of the Finance division in the evaluation, acquisition, implementation and evolution of finance information systems. Monitors and assesses the financial system and reporting needs of the finance group and university community. Recommends and develops new or modified finance reporting systems. Directs the support effort within the accounting services group to obtain maximum benefits from existing software opportunities, report writer capabilities and data extraction/import across mainframe and PC Applications.

Participates as a member of the finance support matrix. Consults, advises, answers questions and resolves problems concerning actual financial results for managers.

Participates in the University’s strategic planning process as a member of the senior finance team. Provides current financial practices, information systems and analytical support to meet the managers’ needs in the planning process.

Serves on University committees as requested to provide financial planning and general consulting support.

Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those outlined above that do not alter the basic responsibilities of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or related field. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), MBA or Master’s Degree in accounting/finance/public administration is preferred. A minimum of six (6) years of progressive experience in accounting/accounts payable/and payroll with the emphasis on work history including: 1) preparation of monthly financial statements, 2) three years directing the staff and activities of an accounting function, 3) three years demonstrated experience interacting with senior level management, 4) relevant finance experience in a non-profit organization, 5) relevant experience in accounts payable and payroll transaction processing, 6) relevant experience in the evaluation in implementation of accounting control systems, policies and procedures, 7) extensive experience in data extraction and import among mainframe and PC based applications, 8) participation and support to strategic planning processes, and 9) relevant experience providing consulting and support services to management. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are necessary to accomplish the responsibilities of the position. These qualifications may be waived for individuals with appropriate alternate experience

APPLICATION:

For full consideration, please submit a letter of application, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Melissa Glazier at glazierm1@southernct.edu by April 24, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

Southern Connecticut State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply