Assistant Director of Finance

Covenant College•Lookout Mountain, GA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Covenant College is seeking an experienced accountant to serve as the Assistant Director of Finance. This role supports the College's financial operations by managing assigned accounting processes, maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial records, and providing financial reporting and analysis to support institutional decision-making. The position performs and reviews general ledger and cash-management activities, administers institutional credit card and employee reimbursement programs, and coordinates assigned components of the month-end and year-end close processes. The Assistant Director works closely with the Senior Director to strengthen internal controls, improve financial processes, support budgeting and audit preparation, and provide functional guidance and accounting support across the Finance Office.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial reporting, general ledger administration, budgeting, or related financial operations
Experience with month-end close, account reconciliations, journal entries, financial analysis, and internal controls
Experience in a higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex financial environment
Experience with an enterprise resource planning or financial management system
Ability to work independently with general direction and supervision
Ability to handle confidential matters with appropriate discretion
Working knowledge of email, calendars, spreadsheets, and word processing applications (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office)

Nice To Haves

Experience working with an integrated software platform such as Ellucian Banner

Responsibilities

Manage the daily recording and reconciliation of bank account activity, including preparing and posting required journal entries and investigating discrepancies.
Review financial transactions, general ledger activity, account balances, and supporting documentation; exercise judgment in identifying discrepancies, determining appropriate corrective action, and escalating significant or higher-risk matters to the Senior Director of Finance.
Review weekly cash disbursements prepared by the Senior Accounting Clerk, ensuring payments are accurate, properly authorized, adequately documented, and recorded in accordance with College policies and accounting procedures.
Provide operational support and backup coverage for student accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, including receiving student payments, responding to billing and payment inquiries, processing vendor invoices, and resolving transaction-related issues.
Administer the College's purchasing card, corporate credit card, and employee reimbursement programs, including reviewing transactions, monitoring supporting documentation, addressing policy exceptions, and promoting compliance with established requirements.
Coordinate assigned components of the month-end and year-end close processes, including preparing and reviewing journal entries, completing account reconciliations, researching variances, resolving outstanding items, and ensuring assigned close activities are completed accurately and on schedule.
Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports, account analyses, budget-to-actual comparisons, reconciliations, and management information to support the Senior Director and departmental decision-making.
Analyze financial activity, identify significant trends, variances, or emerging concerns, and communicate findings and recommended follow-up to the Senior Director of Finance.
Support the development of the College's annual operating and capital budgets by gathering information, reviewing departmental submissions, analyzing historical activity, preparing schedules, and assisting with budget reporting.
Monitor the effectiveness of accounting processes and internal controls, identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and accountability, and assist with implementing approved process improvements.
Maintain current written procedures for assigned financial processes and support the consistent application of accounting practices across responsible areas.
Assist with audit preparation by compiling schedules, supporting documentation, reconciliations, and other information requested by external auditors or regulatory agencies.
Coordinate appropriate work assignments for work-study students supporting the Finance Office, provide task-specific guidance, and review completed work for accuracy and compliance with established procedures.
Serve as a resource to the Senior Accounting Clerk and other Finance Office personnel by answering questions, supporting problem resolution, reviewing assigned work products, and helping coordinate workflow and departmental priorities.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.