(Remote) Senior Financial Governmental Accounting Analyst - Finance

The Department of Finance at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Senior Financial Governmental Accounting Analyst.

About the Opportunity

This professional level position is responsible for key duties and responsibilities related to the preparation, analysis and external audits of the financial statements for West Virginia University, including the WVU Health Sciences Center and its regional campuses, the WVU Research Corporation and WVU Parkersburg. This position performs a wide range of advanced, specialized accounting functions at the institutional level in addition to providing high-level guidance, direction and support to other accounting, analyst and Expert Business Officer/Strategic Business Advisor/business office staff across the University on the application of complex governmental accounting requirements and compliance with University policy. Noncompliance with such accounting requirements will result in a qualified audit opinion and/or audit findings which would have critical financial implications for the University and/or the Corporation. WVU's financial statements are included as a blended component unit of the West Virginia Higher Education Fund, which is discretely presented as a component unit of the State in the State's annual comprehensive financial report. At June 30, 2023, WVU reported total revenues and expenses of over $1 billion, total assets of $2.5 billion, total liabilities of $1.3 billion, and net position of $1.2 billion on its most recent separately audited financial statements. This position is also responsible for trend analysis, variance analysis, internal and external reporting, forecasting and other tasks.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
  
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
  
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
  
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
  
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
  
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Manages the development, preparation and analysis of the annual and interim financial statements (Statement of Net Position, Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position and Statement of Cash Flows) for West Virginia University ("WVU") and the West Virginia University Research Corporation ("WVURC"). Also responsible for the development, preparation and analysis of the annual and interim financial statements for West Virginia University at Parkersburg ("WVUP") under WVUP's service agreement with WVU. This includes the preparation of footnote disclosures and required supplementary information in accordance with governmental accounting standards issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), including GASB Statements No. 34, "Basic Financial Statements - and Management's Discussion and Analysis - for State and Local Governments" and No. 35, "Basic Financial Statements - and Management's Discussion and Analysis - for Public Colleges and Universities", as amended, and other guidance. This also includes coordinating the annual external audits and mid-year review/agreed upon procedures engagement, analyzing and researching a significant volume of detailed financial transactions, performing a detailed analysis of variances, preparing client assistance schedules, and compiling supporting audit documentation as required for the external audits in addition to preparing closing book forms required by the WV State Department of Administration/Financial Accounting and Reporting Section and the Higher Education Policy Commission for the State's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the WV Higher Education Fund.
  
• Responsible for the preparation of the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for West Virginia University Parkersburg, including a detailed analysis of the financial activity and balances of WVUP. This requires collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer at WVUP to explain the transactions, events and conditions reflected in the financial statements and describe the economic outlook for the institution.
  
• Directly responsible for ensuring that the financial statements and the financial data recorded in the financial system complies with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for state and local governmental entities and/or public colleges and universities. This requires advanced knowledge of accounting and financial reporting guidance including GASB Statements and Interpretations, Technical Bulletins, Implementation Guides, guidance from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and other applicable accounting guidance such as Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statements and higher education industry guidance from professional associations and regulatory agencies such as the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Governmental accounting requirements are complex and constantly evolving; this position is responsible for the interpretation and application of new and amended guidance for implementation by the effective dates established by GASB. Noncompliance will result in a qualified audit opinion which could have critical financial implications for the University or the Corporation. Maintaining audited financial statements with an unqualified audit opinion and compliance with GAAP is required by State Code 18B-5-9 (Higher Education Fiscal Responsibility). This also requires extensive knowledge and functional expertise with the University's financial system, including the core general ledger module, subledgers (including the student financial system) and their interfaces and interdependencies, in addition to accounting setups and customizations.
  
• Directly responsible for the management of accounting and reporting for leases, financed purchases and subscription-based IT arrangements (SBITAs) under GASB Statements No. 87, "Leases", and No. 96, "Subscription-Based IT Arrangements", as amended, and other applicable guidance. This includes ensuring that the accounting for leases, financed purchases and subscription agreements complies with GAAP, governmental accounting standards, industry practice, and University policies. This requires the review, analysis and interpretation of a significant volume of complicated contracts, agreements and amendments to determine the appropriate accounting treatment under very complex accounting requirements, complex financial calculations, and the use of specialized accounting software required for compliance. This also includes the preparation of footnote disclosures and schedules required for the external audits in addition to providing an analysis of cash inflows, cash outflows and non-cash transactions related to leases and subscription agreements for preparation of the Statements of Cash Flows and for cash forecasting and budgeting at an institutional level. Maintaining a comprehensive inventory of all lease and subscription agreements for external audit purposes is also required. Additionally, this requires consultation with the General Counsel's Office, Information Technology Services, the Finance SBA, other EBOs/SBAs, and other departments and central administrative areas as needed to ensure compliance. At June 30, 2023, WVU reported total lease and subscription liabilities of $97 million on its most recent audited financial statements.
  
• In addition to accounting for intangible right-of-use assets under lease and subscription agreements, also responsible for the accounting for capital assets, including donated assets and library materials. This includes collaborating with Property Administration on issues related to capital assets and advising on the correct accounting treatment under governmental accounting standards. This requires advanced knowledge of the applicable accounting guidance and experience with the fixed assets subledger and records as well as related accounting setups and customizations. Additionally, this includes providing an analysis of cash inflows, cash outflows and non-cash transactions related to capital assets for preparation of the Statements of Cash Flows. At June 30, 2023, WVU reported net capital and intangible right-to-use assets of over $1.9 billion on its most recent audited financial statements.
  
• This also includes the design, coding and generation of reports from the financial system, subledgers and other related systems using various reporting tools.
  
• Directly responsible for maintaining the core general ledger which serves as the system of record for the comprehensive fiscal activity for the institution, its regional campuses, the Corporation and WVUP. This includes management of the accounting setups and related customizations of the financial system including all subledgers and their integration with the General Ledger module. Responsible for troubleshooting and issue resolution related to the system and account structures as it relates to accounting and financial reporting. Also responsible for modification, design, testing, and configuration of the financial system as it relates to financial accounting and reporting. This also includes performing processes related to month end and year end close. This requires significant decision-making capabilities and exercising professional judgment. Must constantly consider the long-term effects of cost and efficiency of any action on or modifications to the system. Directly impacts institutional policy in this role.
  
• Directly responsible for providing advanced accounting guidance, advise, direction and support to central administrative areas (including Treasury Operations, Administrative Financial Planning, Budget Planning, Shared Services, Student Financial Services, Facilities and Services and others), auxiliaries, Expert Business Officers (EBOs)/Strategic Business Advisors (SBAs), the Health Sciences Center, regional campuses, WVU Parkersburg, and other areas. This includes the review of a significant volume of detailed accounting transactions, in addition to schedules and supporting documentation prepared and submitted by other central administrative units, EBOs/SBAs, and regional campuses, for compliance with accounting requirements. Additionally, this includes the analysis and interpretation of complex agreements and contracts and determining the appropriate accounting treatment. This requires extensive knowledge of the applicable accounting requirements and University policy and practices, problem solving skills, and sound professional judgment. Serves as subject matter expert for specialized areas related to financial accounting and reporting (for example, accounting for pensions and other postemployment benefits, compensated absences, leases, subscription-based IT arrangements, sponsored awards, nonexchange transactions, construction projects, capital-related debt, public private partnerships, service concession arrangements, and fair value reporting). As a subject matter expert, assists with the development of institution-wide policies and guidelines for central administrative units and EBOs/SBAs.
  
• Collaborates with Budget Planning, Treasury Operations, and other central administrative areas on the development of forecasted and budgeted amounts required for financial planning, budgeting and analysis at the institutional level (for example, projections and analysis of depreciation/amortization expense, interest expense, capital expenditures, gift/capital grant and gift revenue, and other cash outflows and inflows). This includes assisting with the analysis of actual revenues and expenses, as reported in the financial statements, to budgeted amounts. Errors or misstatements could have a material impact on the University's budget and financial projections which could result in negative repercussions to the institution such as a loss in federal and state funding, a downgrade in bond ratings, and unfavorable publicity.
  
• Manages the development, preparation and analysis of various other financial reports for external agencies and senior administrators and governing bodies of WVU, WVURC and WVUP (including the WVU Board of Governors). This includes reports required by WV state agencies, the WV Higher Education Policy Commission, agencies of the federal government, rating agencies, and other external and internal parties. Additionally, this includes ad hoc reporting and analysis (for example, assistance with the preparation of cash forecasts and budgets at the institutional level).
  
• Coordinates and completes finance related projects as assigned by:
  
  
  
  
  • Performing special finance related projects,
    
  • Formulating and preparing extensive financial analysis and decision support information for the Senior Associate Vice President for Finance, Associate Vice President for Finance, the Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, other senior administrators, and governing boards (WVU Board of Governors and WVURC Board of Directors),
    
  • Assisting in policy and procedure development as it relates to financial accounting and reporting and the overall fiscal integrity of the system,
    
  • Serving on committees related to finance.
    
  
  
  
  
• Continuing professional education required to maintain current knowledge of GAAP and keep up to date on changes in governmental accounting standards, industry practice, generally accepted auditing standards, and other accounting and reporting issues impacting higher education and/or state government.
  
• Prepared to act as backup, cross train, or perform duties of other positions within the unit based on departmental requirements, established deadlines, and other priorities.

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting is required. This level of education is necessary to provide the applicant with the specialized knowledge of accounting, finance, and business principles and concepts along with the ability to reason and apply them to differing situations.
• Advanced knowledge of financial systems and software is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Demonstrated ability to perform the job duties and responsibilities indicated above typically acquired by five years of progressively responsible experience in financial operations of a complex organization.
  • Master's degree and/or Certified Public Accountant license will be considered when experience is less than five years.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In depth knowledge of accounting and financial reporting for state governments and public higher education.
  
• In depth knowledge of accounting for leases, financed purchases and subscription agreements.
  
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
  
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of the hierarchy of GAAP for state and local governments, including standards promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and the ability to analyze, interpret and apply complex accounting requirements.
  
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of fund accounting concepts, principles, policies and procedures.
  
• Strong accounting experience and experience with the preparation of financial statements, including cash flow statements.
  
• Advanced skills with spreadsheet and word processing software (for example, Microsoft Excel and Word), other accounting software and financial systems.
  
• Strong mathematical skills necessary to perform complex financial calculations.
  
• Strong oral and written communication skills necessary to explain complex guidelines and accounting requirements, to justify recommendations, and to interact with regulatory agencies and auditors.
  
• Demonstrated ability to organize vast amounts of data, perform financial calculations and prepare financial reports and presentations.
  
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, comprehend and summarize a significant volume of detailed transactions.
  
• Demonstrated analytical and reasoning ability required to interpret and apply accounting requirements and federal, State, and professional guidelines to unique, complex situations.
  
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex contracts and agreements, extract required data elements, research relevant accounting guidance, and determine appropriate accounting treatment. Must have the ability to apply sound professional judgment.
  
• Demonstrated ability to research and apply critical thinking skills to research and resolve complex issues related to compliance with governmental accounting standards, industry practice and University policy.
  
• Ability to continually learn and adapt to new governmental accounting requirements, policies, procedures, information systems and reporting tools.
  
• Ability to learn comprehensive financial system reporting tools.
  
• Strong professional judgment required to research technical accounting guidance to resolve accounting and financial reporting issues and determine the appropriate accounting treatment.
  
• Demonstrated ability to perform complex financial accounting computations without supervision and manage workflow to ensure that assigned tasks are accurately completed by tight deadlines.
  
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage numerous projects, take the required initiative to resolve various issues and problems, and prioritize for completion by challenging deadlines.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work in a demanding, deadline-driven environment with a focus on detail and accuracy.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and manage cross-functionally.
  
• Demonstrated ability to foster cooperation and harmony among diverse groups and maintain effective working relationships with other team members within IARA and central administrative, business office, and regional campus staff across the institution.
  
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial impact and conduct risk/benefit analysis.
  
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks/assignments, produce high-quality work and meet demanding deadlines with minimal supervision in a remote work environment. Must have the ability to quickly pivot as assignments, priorities or deadlines change.
  
• Demonstrated proficiency with digital tools and platforms commonly utilized in a remote work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's degree is preferred to provide the applicant with the ability to interpret provisions of State and Federal regulations, GASB requirements and NACUBO and AICPA guidelines.
  
• Licensure as a Certified Public Accountant.
  
• Experience in state or local government or public higher education.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.