Director, Financial Reporting and Analysis Services

Washington State University • Pullman, WA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis Services, you step into a senior finance leadership role where you drive the system‑wide strategy, governance, and continual advancement of Washington State University’s financial reporting, analytics, and forecasting functions. Reporting to the Executive Director/Controller, you deliver forward‑looking financial insight that helps executive leadership anticipate trends, forecast outcomes, and make informed decisions that support long‑term financial sustainability. You oversee the preparation of accurate, timely quarterly and annual financial statements, conduct comprehensive analysis of financial performance, and lead proactive, scenario‑based forecasting to surface risks and opportunities. Your work informs executive leadership, the Board of Regents, credit rating agencies, and state oversight entities, demanding exceptional technical expertise, analytical rigor, and sound professional judgment. A major part of your impact comes from leading transformational change in how the University leverages data and technology to strengthen financial insight and decision support. You serve as a strategic advisor to senior finance leadership, advancing the use of Workday and related systems to shift the institution from compliance‑focused reporting to integrated, automated, insight‑driven analytics, including dashboards and self‑service tools. You lead complex analyses, develop key performance metrics, and sponsor cross‑functional initiatives that enhance forecasting accuracy, reporting efficiency, and the overall maturity of financial analytics. You also build strong partnerships across campuses and with external stakeholders, while leading and developing a high‑performing team that champions accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or other related fields and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including at least three (3) years of managerial experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting and analysis principles and practices including preparation of quarterly and annual financial reports, and management of external audits, and compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or modernizing financial reporting and analytics solutions, including leveraging a university ERP system (such as Workday) and related reporting tools.
• Proven ability to lead and manage financial reporting and analysis functions within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including strategic and critical thinking, sound judgement, accountability, integrity, humility, and the ability to lead through change.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries; exercise discretion and tact; manage sensitive and confidential information; and effectively lead.
• Proven ability to build, maintain, and sustain strong and effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including executive leadership, governing bodies, auditors, and governmental agencies.

Nice To Haves

• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting roles within higher education, including at least six (6) years of managerial experience.
• Professional licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with prior experience in public accounting or public-sector environment.
• Experience leading or supporting organizational change initiatives related to financial reporting, forecasting, analytics transformation, or process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and retain high performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive the system‑wide strategy, governance, and continual advancement of Washington State University’s financial reporting, analytics, and forecasting functions.
• Deliver forward‑looking financial insight that helps executive leadership anticipate trends, forecast outcomes, and make informed decisions that support long‑term financial sustainability.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate, timely quarterly and annual financial statements.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of financial performance.
• Lead proactive, scenario‑based forecasting to surface risks and opportunities.
• Advance the use of Workday and related systems to shift the institution from compliance‑focused reporting to integrated, automated, insight‑driven analytics, including dashboards and self‑service tools.
• Lead complex analyses.
• Develop key performance metrics.
• Sponsor cross‑functional initiatives that enhance forecasting accuracy, reporting efficiency, and the overall maturity of financial analytics.
• Build strong partnerships across campuses and with external stakeholders.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team that champions accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• paid sick and vacation leave
• paid holidays
• medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• retirement
• deferred compensation
• optional supplemental retirement accounts
• training and development
• employee tuition waiver

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director