Director, Financial Operations

Bellevue University•Bellevue, NE

About The Position

The Director, Financial Operations leads the University’s day-to-day financial operations and oversees accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Director safeguards the integrity of financial records, maintains internal controls, oversees regulatory compliance, and supports sound financial decisions. The Director manages accounting, accounts payable, and financial planning and analysis staff, oversees the annual budget and forecasts, directs the preparation of GAAP-compliant financial statements and management reports, and coordinates the annual audit and required filings. This role enables the CFO to focus on strategy, planning, and presenting financial results to University leadership and the Board. The Director oversees the general ledger, accounts payable and procurement, accounts receivable, fixed assets, credit cards, endowments, cash management, month-end close, treasury activity, and accounting policies and controls. The role partners with the CFO on budget development, forecasts, financial reporting, and presentation materials, while monitoring performance and recommending improvements. The position also leads the automation of business office processes and evaluates and implements AI tools for financial operations. The Director ensures that automated and AI-assisted work is reviewed by staff, decisions remain with people, controls and audit trails are maintained, and University data is kept private and secure. The Director partners with Information Technology and system vendors on system integrations and dashboards, supports staff training, and measures results. The Director supervises and develops the Financial Analyst, Accounting Lead, and Accounts Payable Manager, and through them the Business Office Administrator and part-time Accounting Assistant. The role promotes teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service in a student-centered environment. The position works in a normal office environment and uses a PC, calculator, and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
At least five years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, including budgeting and financial reporting, required; the posting states “Minimum eight (5) years.”
At least three years of supervisory experience leading accounting or finance staff required.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.
Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills, including budget development and variance analysis.
Advanced understanding of GAAP and financial reporting standards.
Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning and analysis methods.
Working knowledge of finance automation, including bank feeds, workflow approvals, electronic payments, and automated reconciliations.
Knowledge of AI tools used in finance and their risks, controls, and data privacy considerations.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations affecting higher education and nonprofit organizations.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial information and provide meaningful recommendations.
Ability to identify automation opportunities, apply AI tools appropriately, and lead staff through process and technology change.
Effective leadership, staff development, and team-building skills.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making abilities.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information.
Commitment to customer service, collaboration, inclusion, and a student-centered environment.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
Proficiency with accounting and budgeting systems, report-writing tools, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
Higher education, nonprofit, or fund accounting experience preferred.
Experience implementing finance systems, automation, or AI tools preferred.
CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee daily financial operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and procurement, accounts receivable, fixed assets, credit cards, endowments, and cash management.
Review daily postings, journal entries, reconciliations, and other accounting activity for accuracy and compliance.
Manage cash position and treasury activity, forecast cash needs, and maintain adequate liquidity.
Oversee month-end close and review monthly reconciliations to ensure accurate, timely statements.
Establish, maintain, and improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Oversee annual operating budget development with the CFO, including budget models, allocations, and departmental budgets.
Oversee forecast updates, including enrollment and credit-hour drivers and marketplace volatility scenarios, and review changes before CFO presentation.
Monitor budget-to-actual performance, investigate significant variances, and recommend corrective actions.
Ensure monthly budget reports are delivered to departments and support budget managers in managing budgets.
Maintain the budgeting system, budget calendar, and budgeting policies and procedures.
Oversee preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
Oversee recurring financial reports, including revenue and credit-hour reports, entity statements and allocations, donor reporting, and quarterly Finance Committee reporting.
Review reporting packages for accuracy, consistency, and timeliness before delivery to the CFO for presentation to the President and Board.
Monitor financial performance, analyze trends, and recommend strategies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Automate recurring reports and dashboards and develop decision-support reporting for business managers.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, regulatory, and University financial requirements.
Organize the annual audit and act as primary liaison with the external audit firm.
Prepare IRS Form 990, 403(b) plan filings, the Title IX athlete report, and other required financial filings for CFO review; support preparation of the University's Annual Financial Report.
Maintain internal controls, segregation of duties, and risk management practices; monitor changes in accounting standards, regulations, and tax requirements and implement updates.
Lead business-office automation by identifying manual processes and prioritizing work according to time saved and risk reduced.
Oversee automation of routine transactions, accounts payable, procurement, reconciliations, journal entries, approvals, electronic payments, vendor setup, and 1099 e-filing.
Evaluate and implement AI tools for finance, ensuring staff review outputs, human decision-making, internal controls, audit trails, and data privacy and security.
Partner with Information Technology and vendors on integrations among accounting, budgeting, and student account systems, and on dashboards refreshed from system data.
Train and support staff in automation and AI tools and measure results, including time saved, error rates, and close and reporting timelines.
Supervise, mentor, and develop the Financial Analyst, Accounting Lead, and Accounts Payable Manager, and indirectly the Business Office Administrator and part-time Accounting Assistant.
Set priorities, review workflow, establish performance expectations, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
Ensure cross-training and backup coverage for critical work, including daily postings, cash, and accounts payable.
Foster teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service excellence.
Evaluate and improve financial systems, processes, reporting capabilities, and documentation; maintain current accounting policies and procedures.
Participate in strategic initiatives, special projects, and institutional planning, and perform other duties as assigned.