Chief Finance Officer

Job Summary:

 The Chief Financial Officer serves as the University's senior financial administrator and provides strategic leadership for all financial operations. The CFO is responsible for safeguarding the University's financial assets; ensuring compliance with federal, state, tribal, and institutional regulations; maintaining effective internal controls; overseeing budgeting, accounting, payroll, grants management, purchasing, and financial reporting; and supporting the University's mission through sound fiscal stewardship and long-term financial planning.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

Ø  Develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve a comprehensive system of internal financial controls designed to safeguard University assets, ensure compliance with applicable laws, and regulations, prevent fraud, promote accountability, and maintain appropriate separation of duties.

Ø  Establish and monitor procedures to ensure timely reconciliation of bank accounts, general ledger accounts, subsidiary ledgers, grant expenditures, payroll records, and other financial transactions to maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.

Ø  Ensure all federal, state, tribal, and private grants are administered in compliance with applicable regulations and award requirements. Monitor grant expenditures to ensure costs are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and properly documented. Collaborate with program directors and grants personnel regarding financial management of sponsored programs. Ensure timely financial reporting and compliance for all sponsored programs.

Ø  Ensure that the finance operation adheres to practices and policies that are required by regulatory bodies.

Ø  Develop, implement, monitor, and periodically review financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices.

Ø  Oversee procurement and purchasing activities to ensure compliance with University policies, federal regulations, grant requirements, and ethical purchasing practices.

Ø  Oversee cash management, banking relationships, investments, debt obligations, and institutional liquidity planning.

Ø  Provide leadership, supervision, mentoring, and performance evaluation for all Finance Office personnel, including accounting, payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable, Grants Manager, Development Office, Title 3 Coordinator/Benefits, Payroll Manager, Property and Supply and bookstore.

Ø  Be able to ensure functional coverage, in the event of temporary absence of finance office staff.

Ø  Coordinate the annual budget process by working with President, Executive Vice President and Vice Presidents to coordinate a participatory budget process.

Ø  Monitor budget performance throughout the fiscal year and recommend budget revisions when necessary.

Ø  Provide financial projections for the university on an annual basis.

Ø  Prepare and present accurate, timely, and meaningful financial reports for the President, Executive Leadership Team, Finance Committee, Board of Regents, and external funding agencies.

Ø  Identify, recommend, and implements appropriate and necessary training and professional development for self and staff reporting to this position.

Ø  Ensure the timely collection of all accounts receivable and timely payment of accounts payable.

Ø  Coordinate all external financial audits, ensure timely completion of audit requests, develop corrective action plans, and monitor implementation of audit recommendations.

Ø  Participate as a member of the Executive Leadership Team by contributing to institutional planning, strategic initiatives, accreditation efforts, risk management, and long-range financial planning.

Ø  Contribute to the university's ability to meet its strategic objectives by assisting administrators and department heads in conducting financial analysis of current and proposed activities.

Ø  Other duties as assigned in the performance of responsibilities as mutually agreed upon to the benefit of Sinte Gleska University.

 Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

     Thorough knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), Federal grant regulations, GAAP, GASB standards, IRS regulations, tribal financial requirements, and higher education financial reporting requirements

     Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office applications.

     Demonstrated ability to utilize Jenzabar for financial management, budgeting, reporting, and accounting functions, or the ability to become proficient in Jenzabar within a reasonable period following employment.

     Must be able to provide direct supervision to all finance staff.

     Have a clear and comprehensive understanding of budgeting, budget processes, and financial reporting; complete requirements for the annual audit and ensure that any audit findings are corrected.

     Coordinate all external financial audits.

     Ensure timely completion of audit requests.

     Develop corrective action plans for audit findings.

     Monitor implementation of corrective actions.

     Identify financial risks and recommend strategies to mitigate institutional risk.

     Be knowledgeable about, and be able to oversee grants and contracts functions.

     Be highly organized with attention to details needed for timely and accurate reporting to staff, administration, board of regents, and funders.

     Knowledgeable in operational and strategic planning, policy development, and financial analysis.

     Must have strong communication skills, collaborative and cooperative work style, ability to develop and implement financial strategies, ability to evaluate risk, and analytical thinking skills. 

 Minimum Qualifications & Experience

v  The successful candidate must, at minimum, possess a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, Business Administration, or closely related field.   

v  Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, or fiscal administration, including experience in budget development, financial reporting, internal controls, federal grant administration, audit preparation, and regulatory compliance.

v  Demonstrated experience managing federal grants and ensuring compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).

v  Demonstrated experience coordinating annual audits and implementing corrective actions.

v  Experience developing and maintaining effective internal controls and financial policies.

 Preferred Qualifications

v  Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or Public Administration.

v  CPA or other relevant professional certification.

v  Experience in higher education finance, preferably at a Tribal College or University.

v  Experience in higher education finance, preferably at a Tribal College or University.

v  Experience with Jenzabar or another higher education ERP system.

v  Experience presenting financial information to executive leadership and governing boards.

v  Experience supporting accreditation, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.

 Confidentiality:

The SGU employee agrees to maintain strict confidentiality regarding FERPA, HIPAA, and the contents of all Sinte Gleska University correspondence, student records, personnel files and fiscal data.

Additional Information:

 Sinte Gleska University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religious preference, age, handicap, marital status, political preference, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization, except as allowed by the Indian preference provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

 The SGU employee is responsible for ensuring that his/her personnel file is current with regard to official evidence of educational qualifications and experiences.  Failure to do so prior to start of the contract year may result in not receiving compensation commensurate with claimed advancement in promotional steps.

 To apply submit a completed SGU job application with a copy of your HS Diploma or equivalent, Resume, Transcripts, Verification of College Degree(s), Certificates, Driver License, Tribal ID or abstract.  Submit completed application with attachments to the HR Department.  For further information contact Vijayakumar Chebrolu, Human Resource Director @ SGU Administration Building or call 605-856-8261/email vijayakumar.chebrolu@sintegleska.edu.  Applications are available on the SGU website under https://www.sintegleska.edu/careers.  The position is open until filled.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.