Chief Financial Officer
On-siteWheeling, West Virginia, United States
Job Summary
Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the University's financial operations, ensuring sound financial management, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with the University's mission, strategic plan, and long-term objectives. Serve as a key financial advisor to the President, Cabinet, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, and other University leadership on financial matters, institutional priorities, financial risks, and opportunities. Develop, coordinate, and oversee the University's annual operating budget and long-range financial plans, including revenue and expenditure projections, enrollment assumptions, cash flow projections, and financial forecasting. Monitor the University's financial performance and provide regular financial reports, analyses, forecasts, and recommendations to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees. Oversee the University's accounting operations and financial reporting, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records and reports. Establish, maintain, and monitor appropriate internal financial controls, policies, procedures, and processes to safeguard University assets and ensure effective financial stewardship. Direct the preparation and completion of the University's annual financial statements, external audit, tax filings, and other required financial reports and regulatory submissions. Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, financial institutions, investment advisors, insurance providers, governmental agencies, and other external financial partners. Oversee cash management, banking relationships, investments, debt obligations, borrowing activities, and overall liquidity to ensure the University maintains adequate financial resources to meet its obligations. Monitor accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, payroll, and other financial operations to ensure effective processes, appropriate controls, and compliance with University policies and applicable laws and regulations. Oversee the University's financial systems and collaborate with Information Technology and other departments to ensure financial systems support accurate reporting, operational efficiency, data integrity, and appropriate access controls. Develop and implement financial policies and procedures and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, accounting standards, and institutional policies. Analyze financial trends, enrollment data, operating results, and other relevant information to identify financial risks, opportunities, and strategies for improving
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a related field
- Minimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, or financial management, including significant leadership or executive-level experience
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field
- CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional financial certification
- Experience in higher education, nonprofit, healthcare, governmental, or similarly complex organizational environments
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing institutional or organizational budgets, financial forecasts, and long-range financial plans
- Experience overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, audits, internal controls, cash management, and regulatory compliance
- Experience managing and developing financial teams and leading cross-functional initiatives
- Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), financial reporting requirements, budgeting practices, internal controls, and financial risk management
- Knowledge of higher education financial operations, including tuition and fee revenue, financial aid, enrollment-related forecasting, restricted funds, grants, auxiliary operations, and institutional reporting
- Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and translate it into clear recommendations for non-financial stakeholders
- Ability to develop financial strategies and communicate complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to senior leadership, trustees, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders
- Ability to identify financial risks, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations based on financial and operational data
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, negotiation, and project management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a complex and changing environment
- Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with the President, Board of Trustees, Cabinet, faculty, staff, students, vendors, auditors, financial institutions, and other internal and external stakeholders
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, financial management systems, accounting software, and other business applications, with the ability to learn and effectively use University-specific systems
- Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and ethical financial stewardship
- Commitment to supporting and advancing the mission, vision, and values of a Catholic university
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