Business Office and Accounting Manager

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be added as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Business Office Manager will play a pivotal role in our organization by overseeing the daily accounting operations, ensuring adherence to accuracy, compliance, and efficiency standards within the department. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership qualities, possess comprehensive accounting knowledge, and exhibit proficiency in various accounting software, university systems, and business processes. Key responsibilities include maintaining precise financial records, budgeting, forecasting, managing contracts and RFPs, overseeing university systems, and supervising the business office team.

Responsibilities*

40% - Maintain Accurate Financial Records

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Operations Officer (COO) on financial matters, university financial and procurement business, and business process improvement initiatives. Provide insights, analysis, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. Keep up to date with UM policies and procedures. Brief COO regularly. Ensure adoption of required changes. Serve in back-up capacity to attend UM financial meetings.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Operations Officer (COO) on financial matters, university financial and procurement business, and business process improvement initiatives. Provide insights, analysis, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. Keep up to date with UM policies and procedures. Brief COO regularly. Ensure adoption of required changes. Serve in back-up capacity to attend UM financial meetings.
• Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date financial records, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, deferred revenue, and general ledger entries. Prepare and analyze financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow. Prepare and process journal entries as needed.
• Oversee the preparation and verify accuracy for year-end deferred revenue, transfers, and journal entries that are conducted through UM. Ensure that year-end processes are accurate, submitted on-time and according to UM standards. Oversee year-end processes conducted by other business office staff including annual inventory.
• Address and resolve any accounting issues or discrepancies in a timely manner. Investigate root causes and implement preventive measures to avoid future issues.
• Serve as point of contact to investigate, answer questions, and resolve issues with financial reports.
• Lead efforts to compile and present documentation in audit process in coordination with the COO.

25% - Budget and Forecast

• Assist in the development of the annual Institute budget. Ensure administration and salary and fringe year-end projections are accurate and ready for use during the budgeting period. Collaborate with operation managers, directors, and staff to gather needed budget additions and changes. Gather information from university sources and recommend budget figures for assigned categories. Set-up annual budget presentation files. Review, proof, and ensure accuracy of final budget figures in presentation files. Set up annual tracking documents, compare to planning maestro for accuracy, and ensure that all required budget steps are completed.
• Complete monthly detailed tracking and forecasting for salary and fringe, administrative, and capital budgets entering figures into planning maestro and other tracking spreadsheets. Provide insights and analysis to support decision-making including drafting monthly ICLE year-end projection financial dashboard, monthly internal variance explanations, and quarterly executive committee variances. Includes downloading and reviewing gross pay register data, reconciling and applying TimeLive data, ensuring accuracy and preparing reports for COO review.
• Conduct financial analysis and performance metrics reporting to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement. Present findings to COO.

20% - Manage Business Office Team and Department Operations

• Provide leadership and direction to the business office team, including task delegation, performance evaluation, and fostering a collaborative work environment internally and across the Institute. Ensure effective staffing levels and communication.
• Interview, select, hire, and train assigned employees. Set and adjust hours of work. Plan and direct their work; appraise their productivity and efficiency. Handle their complaints and grievances and discipline them when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, regulations, and UM policies. Stay up-to-date on changes in accounting principles and UM policies that may affect the organization.
• Ensure separation of duties and other internal control measures are met at all times. Train, implement, and routinely assess effectiveness of established internal control procedures to safeguard assets, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance with ICLE and UM policies and regulations. Includes completing first draft of annual internal control documents, tracking and documenting status of required training, and routinely arranging for retraining and recertification.
• Provide training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to business office staff. Foster ICLE's culture of learning, excellence, and collaboration within the team.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within the business office. Work with IT Director to implement changes to streamline workflows and increase efficiency.
• Review reports and statements prepared by the business office team for accuracy and completeness. Provide analysis and insights to management as needed.
• Communicate ICLE strategic direction, vision, and other communications regularly. Attend managers meetings. Assist in development of key Institute activities like ICLE retreats and staff appreciation events.
• Complete monthly core management report.

10% - Contracts, RFP, University Systems, and Business Processes

• Collaborate with the COO and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for business process optimization and cost reduction. Lead initiatives to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and enhance financial performance across the organization. l
• Responsible for the purchasing processes. Works with various U-M Procurement departments/buyers to finalize contracts and Shared Services to finalize supplier accounts.
• Prepare requisitions, PO's, vouchers. Verify all payments. Includes verifying bi-annual royalty calculations.

5% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Participate in customer research, data analysis, and trend spotting as assigned
• Participates in preparation, planning, and research related to ICLE's strategic planning process.
• Participates in assigned ongoing ICLE training.
• Serves as point of contact for other departments.
• Ensure compliance with all University and ICLE policies, processes, and procedures.
• Ensures security processes are followed.
• Stays up to date on university policy, internal control requirements, ICLE business processes and software, and accounting best practices.
• Lead assigned strategic objective teams using ICLE's strategic planning process.
• Serve on ICLE teams

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Proven experience in accounting leadership roles, with a minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience.
• In-depth knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and standards.
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with UM financial systems, processes, and policies.
• Understanding of ICLE products, customer-types, processes, and systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and trends.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and integrity in handling financial information.

Desired Qualifications*

• Understanding of ICLE products and systems
• Experience with iMIS and Great Plains software

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

253444

Working Title

Business Office and Accounting Manager

Job Title

General Accounting Manager

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Inst Cont Lgl Educ

Department

Continuing Legal Education Ins

Posting Begin/End Date

8/25/2024 - 9/01/2024

Salary

$70,000.00 - $90,000.00

Career Interest

Finance