Associate Vice President of Finance Business Office

The Associate Vice President of Finance (AVP) is a strategic and Christ-centered leader responsible for overseeing the financial planning reporting and operational management of Azusa Pacific University. Reporting directly to the VP for Administration and Finance Chief Financial Officer (CFO) the AVP will serve as a key advisor to the CFO and other university leadership ensuring the institutions financial resources are managed effectively and aligned with its Christian mission and strategic goals. This role requires a blend of advanced financial expertise strong leadership skills and a commitment to the values and purpose of Christian higher education.

Required Education

• Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration or a related field.
• Masters degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is highly preferred.

Required Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management with significant experience in a higher education or non-profit setting.
• Preferred experience:
  
  • Experience in the oversight of multiple interdependent financial functions (FP&A Controller Payroll).
  • Experience advising senior-level executive management and working with a Board of Trustees.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

Business Office

• • Operational Oversight: Directly supervise the Business Office which includes the Financial Planning & Analysis Controller and Payroll and Payments functions.
  • Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in financial operational processes leveraging technology to enhance efficiency accuracy and customer service for students and staff.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• • Strategic Advising: Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the CFO and executive leadership on long-range financial planning resource allocation and major institutional initiatives.
  • Budget Management:Oversee the development and management of the universitys annual operating and capital budgets ensuring accuracy alignment with strategic priorities and responsible stewardship.
  • Financial Modeling:Direct the creation and maintenance of complex financial models and projections to forecast trends assess the financial impact of new programs or policies and support decision-making.
  • Performance Reporting:Develop and present comprehensive financial reports metrics and analyses to the CFO Presidents Cabinet and Board of Trustees Finance Committee.

Controller & Financial Operations

• • Financial Reporting: Oversee the Controllers function ensuring timely and accurate preparation of all internal and external financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and relevant regulatory requirements.
  • Audit Management: Serve as the primary liaison for the annual external audit managing the preparation of schedules and working papers and ensuring clean audit opinions.
  • Internal Controls: Maintain a robust system of internal financial controls policies and procedures to safeguard university assets and ensure compliance.
  • Tax Compliance: Ensure timely and accurate filing of all federal and state tax returns including Form 990.
  • Grant Management & Compliance: Oversee post-award financial administration including fund set-up expenditure monitoring and ensuring costs are allowable allocable and reasonable. Direct the preparation and timely submission of all required financial reports invoices and federal drawdowns for grants and sponsored programs. Ensure institutional compliance with all federal (e.g. Uniform Guidance) state and private grant regulations and reporting requirements.
  • Treasury Functions: Oversee daily cash management activities banking relationships short-term and long-term liquidity planning. Debt management.

Payroll and Payments

• • Payroll & Payments: Ensure the accurate timely and compliant processing of all payroll and vendor payments.
  • Procurement (Purchasing): Oversee and manage the University Procurement function establishing purchasing policies and procedures that promote cost savings efficiency and compliance. Direct the vendor management and contract negotiation processes for major institutional expenditures ensuring adherence to competitive bidding and ethical standards. Ensure compliance with all purchasing requirements especially those tied to federal and state contracts and grants.

Leadership & Stewardship

• • Team Leadership: Lead mentor and develop a high-performing finance team fostering a culture of professional excellence accountability and Christian service.
  • Policy Development: Recommend implement and enforce financial policies that promote sound financial management and ethical stewardship of university resources.
  • Mission Integration: Ensure all financial activities and decisions reflect the universitys Christian mission and commitment to ethical conduct.

Skills

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture and translate institutional goals into clear actionable financial strategies.
• Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead and develop professional staff and manage complex projects.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly present complex financial information to diverse audiences.
• Integrity & Ethics: Unwavering commitment to integrity confidentiality and the ethical use of university resources.

Mental Demands

• A demonstrated personal commitment to the Christian faith and a desire to support the mission of a Christian university.

Physical Demands

• Intermittent sitting and standing.
• Repetitive wrist and finger motions related to computer usage.
• Hearing talking on the telephone.
• Able to reach grasp bend pull lift up to twenty pounds.

Visual Demands

• Computer monitor and reading.

Environment

• Pleasant office comfortable temperatures.

Technologies

• Proficient in Google Apps. Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Expert knowledge of GAAP budgeting and forecasting principles internal controls and financial reporting. Advanced proficiency in financial management software and ERP systems.

Compensation

• Grade 30: $190000 to $225000 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications experience and internal addition to compensation APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity work effectively with diverse populations and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more aboutwhat we believe ourmission statement and our statement of faith.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty staff and alumni as they carry out our mission here: Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex age disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies practices or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.