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Northwest Indian College

Chief Financial Officer

Northwest Indian College, Bellingham, WA, United States

JOB ANNOUNCMENT

Chief Financial Officer

(Full-Time, 12 Months)

OPENING DATE: October 25, 2024

REVIEW DATE: November 25, 2024

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

START DATE: ASAP or 2 weeks after acceptance

LOCATION: Main Campus/Building 18

SUPERVISOR: President

SALARY: $95,000-$125,000

The salary placement upon hire is based on the selected candidate's education and relevant work experience as outlined in the job announcement and the established salary schedule for the classification of position to be filled.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Finance Director, under the direction of the President, is responsible for all financial matters for Northwest Indian College (NWIC) according to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles involved with not-for-profit fund accounting. Responsibilities include financial management including but not limited to the general operating fund, grant funds, auxiliary business funds, investment funds and cash flow management. The Finance Director functions as the chief advisor to the Administration and Board of Trustees on all financial policies and administration of financial affairs. This position provides direct oversight and supervision of the Business Office staff and related functions such as payroll, budget, and grant funds, accounting processes; providing leadership for the development of the institutional budget and the budget modification process; promoting a culture of compliance by developing and implementing policies and procedures consistent with an effective operating non-profit/tax exempt organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Finance Director is accountable for the management of the College's financial services and resources through effective performance in the following essential areas:

  1. Management of financial resources.
  2. Audit, Tax Preparation, and Compliance.
  3. Management of accounting, payroll, purchasing, Eagles Market and related financial services.

The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

A. Management of Financial Resources: The Finance Director is accountable for the accurate, timely and effective management, accounting, reporting and preservation of the College's financial resources. This accountability includes following essential tasks:

  1. Developing and managing the College's operating and capital budgets; managing the institution's cash flow; analyzing expenditures and assuring that they comply within budgetary parameters; keeping administrative leadership abreast of the institution's financial status.
  2. Ensure effective financial management of resources in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Trustees, and applicable state and federal laws, and accreditation standards.
  3. Directing preparation of financial statements and reports, including required statements by federal and state agencies and grant funding organizations.
  4. Responsible for reconciling general fund and grant expenditures to the general ledger on a monthly or quarterly basis.
  5. Providing financial support for the Northwest Indian College Foundation, including the review and appropriate accounting of revenue/expenses and providing necessary reports to the NWIC Foundation as requested.
  6. Acting in a lead role in managing the institutional budget development process, including providing financial information/data for institutional and grant funds as needed.

B. Audit, Tax Preparation and Compliance: The Finance Director is accountable for fulfilling the College's controllership requirements by carrying out effective methods of verifying fiscal performance. This accountability includes the following tasks:

  1. Overseeing the timely completion of the NWIC audit process; acting as the liaison with external auditor; assessing any changes as necessary; and reporting results to the President and Board of Trustees as requested.
  2. Ensuring compliance with financial policies, preparing and submitting tax documents, and managing federal and applicable funds according to guidelines;
  3. Ensuring compliance with standard institutional reporting requirements (e.g., the NWIC Board of Trustees) and facilitation of the Finance Committee. This includes the monthly financial report to the Board of Trustees.
  4. Responsible for monitoring the indirect cost budget and submission of the indirect cost proposal.
  5. Developing and maintaining internal controls to safeguard institutional assets and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
  6. Communicating critical financial matters to the President and Board of Trustees.
  7. Monitoring budget and financial performance and making appropriate tests to determine fiscal and financial integrity of College operations.
  8. Initiating needed corrective action when fiscal and financial results fail to meet standards.

C. Management of Auxiliary services - Eagles Market and Cafeteria Services: The Finance Director is accountable for managing auxiliary services to facilitate the operation of the College for its students, faculty and staff. This accountability includes the following tasks as:

  1. Developing and implementing plans for auxiliary services, specifically, the Residence Life Center and Eagles Market, to be self-sustaining while promoting more efficient and coordinated delivery of quality food services to students and campus community.
  2. Providing oversight to the College's purchasing and supply function including management of competitive bidding—consistent with the procurement policy –and buying, storing, inventorying and dispensing supplies and materials.

D. Other responsibilities:

  1. Serves as a member of the NWIC Executive, Administrative and Leadership Teams, and leads or participates on other ad-hoc teams and committees as requested.
  2. Participate as a member of the Finance/Construction Committee, including responsibility for tracking and reporting of revenue/expenses related to the capital campaign or construction projects.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Finance Director oversees the Business Office and accounting department personnel, and directly supervises the Finance Manager, Senior Accountant, Grants Accountant, and Eagles Market and Cafeteria Manager, and facilitates the financial support of the Northwest Indian College Foundation. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; and addressing complaints and resolving problems in a timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS to perform the position successfully:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) required with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, Accounting or financially related field, with a minimum of five (5) years successful leadership experience in financial and budget management.
  • Experience in grants management.
  • Strong leadership skills and ability to motivate a team to achieve financial directives and produce the desired result.
  • Ability to provide a strong customer service-oriented environment to students, employees, faculty, and external client.
  • Computer literacy is essential with strong database and spreadsheet skills.
  • Experience in the development of financial statements and reports.
  • Ability to create, maintain, follow, and understand audit and accounting transactions.
  • Must possess valid Washington state driver’s license and be eligible for tribal auto insurance.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Business Administration, accounting or related field of study.
  • Two years’ experience in non-profit fund-based accounting.
  • Working knowledge of federal grant administration and reporting requirements - achieved within the last five years.
  • Experience working in a college setting and team environment.
  • Knowledge of and experience with a tribal college system.
  • Experience with and sensitivity to Native American people and cultural customs.
  • Working knowledge of Excel formulas and functions, as well as querying databases through Excel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Language Skills

  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports, and legal documents.
  • Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, external organizations or stakeholders.
  • Ability to effectively present information to executive leadership, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills

  • Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts and operations to essential duties and responsibilities.

Reasoning Ability

  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

  • Knowledge of Excel with strong database and spreadsheet skills, basic accounting software, and Microsoft Word.

Other Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to handle confidential and proprietary information with utmost discretion.
  • Ability to represent the College in a positive and professional manner.
  • Must have excellent interpersonal/people skills and maintain professional work relationships.
  • Ability to work under stressful situations.
  • Ability to be a self-starter and sustain a high level of activity with minimal supervision.
  • Excellent organizational skills.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested individuals should submit the following application materials directly to the NWIC Human Resources Office only:

  1. Cover letter addressing how you meet the position qualifications
  2. NWIC Application
  3. NWIC Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) form
  4. Current and complete professional resume
  5. Copies of College transcripts (can submit unofficial copies at time of application)
  6. Three of recommendation from persons, who are not members of your immediate family, who have firsthand knowledge of your qualifications for the position
  7. If applicable to the position, provide copies of certificates/licenses/credentials

The job announcement and application forms are available online at www.nwic.edu/about-nwic/employment or may be requested from and submitted directly to:

Human Resources
Northwest Indian College
2522 Kwina Road
Bellingham, WA 98226-9278
Telephone/Fax: 360.392.4220
Email: employment@nwic.edu

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Retirement plan
  • Vision insurance

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

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