Vice-President of Administration and Finance
About Arkansas Tech
Founded in
1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a
rich history, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning
Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board
(SREB) level III institution. ATU was ranked the No. 1 regional public
university in Arkansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and
CollegeNET recognizes ATU as the No. 1 institution in Arkansas on its Social
Mobility Index. Since 2019, Arkansas Tech has been the host institution for the
prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. The 559-acre Russellville campus,
located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita
Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Russellville
features a charming blend of historic and modern architecture as well as the
recreational opportunities provided by Lake Dardanelle and several state parks.
Offering more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate
degree and certificate programs across five academic colleges and two campuses,
Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long
learning to a diverse community.
Position Summary
The VPAF reports to the President, serves as a member of the President's Executive Council and oversees an annual budget of $148 million and more than 120 staff. As the Chief Financial Officer, the VPAF has primary responsibility for all financial-related activities of the university. The VPAF provides leadership in financial planning and analysis of return on investment, ensures financial goals are clearly established and communicated with all stakeholders, and strives for efficiencies in operations. Additional areas of oversight include accounting, financial control, procurement, facilities management, human resources, scholarship management, budgets, payroll, and construction. The VPAF will also be a key liaison to various campus vendors, including food service and the bookstore
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Management
1. Annual Financial Audit
2. Review and approve cost controls
3. Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state and local regulatory laws and rules for financial tax reporting
4. Investment of university funds
5. Inventory control
6. Financial statement review
7. Ensure vendors are paid timely
8. Insuance and oversight of Debt
9. Produce 1099 Tax Statement for
students and parents
10. Oversight of the bookstore
reconciliation
11. Report the interim report to
the Board, Executive Council, and other stakeholders.
12. Financial management of the
facilities foundation
13. Manage all construction
accounting and approvals from state
Budget
1. Preparation of annual operating budget in collaboration with others
2. Preparation and submission of legislative biennial and fiscal session budgets
3. Oversees activities of federal grants to ensure all A-133 compliance issues are met
4. Report annual budget to the Board, President, Executive Council, and other stakeholders
Procurement
1. The procurement of goods and services in compliance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations
2. Risk management activities for buildings
3. Renewal of miscellaneous insurance policies
4. Request for Proposals related to professional services such as architect, engineers and other professional or consultant services
5. Manage and certify for payment all university purchases
6. Minority vendors and reporting
Facilities Management
1. Oversees building maintenance, institutional cleaning services, landscape and grounds and tree management
2. Residence hall maintenance in collaboration with Residence Life
3. Oversight of sustainability issues
4. ADA services repair and installation
Human Resources
1. New employee hiring process
2. Fringe benefit management and reporting for health, dental and other miscellaneous insurance policies
3. Retirement and social security enrollment and reporting on all employees
4. Background screening
5. Compliance issues in various areas
6. Request for positions related to operating budget and legislative budget request
Student Accounts
1. Receipt of all university funds
2. Management of accounts receivable invoicing
3. Administers the university ID card office which produces ID cards for students, faculty and staff
4. Third party student billing
5. Activates meal plans for campuses
Payroll
1. Process payrolls for Russellville and Ozark Campus
2. Works with human resources to produce accurate payroll information
3. Responsible for entering adjusted charges to student accounts
4. Coordinates with our health care consultant to assure compliance with Affordable Health Care Act
5. Director of this area is also responsible for internal audit but with a limited scope
6. Produce W-2 Statements
7. Produce 1098 Tax Statements for students and parents
8. Responsible for leave time accounting
Construction
1. Responsible for construction planning related to new projects and facility renovation
2. Work with architects, engineers and construction companies to assure projects are completed on time in accordance with plans and specifications
3. Prepare cost estimates for projects
4. On a daily basis, check on all campus construction activity
Food Service
1. Monitors operation of Chambers Cafeteria, Baz-Tech Student Union, and all other food service on campus.
2. Oversee contract implementation of food service providers.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Excellent organizational and communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to provide vision and leadership in master planning and property acquisition for ongoing and future organizational development.
Demonstrated success in fiscal management and executive leadership that shows a record of initiative, independent judgment and outstanding performance in a complex environment.
Demonstrated ability to assess the financial impact, including the Return on Investment (ROI), in strategic decision making.
Experience advancing diversity from historically underrepresented groups with a record of fostering an inclusive environment.
Minimum Requirements
A degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field is required.
A Bachelor’s degree is required.
A minimum of 10 years progressive administrative experience in the management of fiscal operations, and a minimum of 5 years in a senior-level leadership role.
Demonstrated ability of compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and financial standards established by GASB, as well as other applicable and externally mandated governance, policies, guidelines and laws.
Experience developing and administering programs, processes and procedures to improve financial operations and mitigate financial risks to the institution.
Experience working with external financial advisors to guide and strengthen the financial position of the institution.
Experience overseeing processes for developing, monitoring and reporting on annual operating and capital budgets.
Strong leader and excellent communicator who works well with employees at all levels of the university.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience as a CFO in a higher education environment
A Master's Degree or doctoral degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field
Demonstrated history of working effectively with deans, faculty, staff and others beyond the campus in an open meaningful way preferred.
Experience in leading the development, implementation and management of goals and plans for the organization's operations and capital projects in support of its strategic plan preferred.
Experience counseling the President and Board of Trustees regarding plans and policies that appropriately shape institutional investment strategies and long-range financial planning.
What to Submit
Vita, cover letter stating how minimum and desired qualification are met, and contact information for five references.
To be considered for the position of Vice-President of Administration and Finance, all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone.
Please go to https://atu.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=atu to apply now.
This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Arkansas Tech University is an AA/EOE employer committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.