College Finance Officer I

Perimeter College

Georgia State University

Financial Affairs

Perimeter College

The Financial Affairs Department at Georgia State University provides leadership, accountability, and innovative solutions to the college community by safeguarding financial assets, ensuring regulatory compliance, delivering efficient and responsive service, and upholding sound business practices in line with all applicable laws and policies. We strive to create an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence.

Financial Affairs is seeking (1) dedicated and experienced College/Division Finance Officer I  

WHAT MAKES PERIMETER COLLEGE A GREAT PLACE?  

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.
• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners.
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship.
• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting.

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO  

The essential duties and responsibilities of the College Finance Officer I are the following:  

Budgetary Management and Financial Operations

• Annual Budget Development: Responsible for the development, preparation, and submission of the College's annual budget of $45 million. This includes inputting data for all personnel and operational service salaries. Prepares annual submission of Board of Regents-required student course fees rates with analysis.

• Analysis and Projections: Provides detailed budgetary analyses and year-end projections of available funds to senior leadership, including the Dean and Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance.

• Budget Monitoring: Monitors personnel and non-personnel lines of the general budget to ensure all categories align with allocations, using various reports and performing mid-year budget reconciliations to ensure expenditures align with allocations.

• Amendments and Projections: Prepares and submits quarterly and annual budget amendments and provides detailed budgetary analyses and year-end projections.

• Account Oversight: Resolves questions and problems related to various funds, including general funds, student fee accounts, agency accounts, Foundation projects, Department Sales and Services, Indirect Costs, and Residual Accounts.

• Audit and Compliance: Responds to difficult fiscal management inquiries and information requests from auditors, vendors, and government entities.

Personnel and Payroll Administration

• Payroll Management: Works with College Human Resources to resolve payroll issues, process adjustments, and reconcile Prior Period Adjustments (PPA).

• Payroll Administration: Manages summer payroll, processes payroll adjustments, and validates annual funding allocations.

• Personnel Actions: Processes, pre-reviews, and approves Manager Self-Service Transactions (MSS) and certifies Personnel Earnings Records (PERS).

• Compensation Oversight: Ensures that extra compensation, stipends, and fee-based forms have been budgeted before approval.

Faculty Research and Grant Support

• Research Account Administration: Set up speedtypes and budgets for department accounts.

• Sponsored Projects: Provides financial support for sponsored research, ensuring all expenses meet deadlines and overseeing budgetary functions associated with Cost Sharing.

Financial Systems, Supervision, & Training

• System Administration: Supervises and approves financial transactions in systems such as Spectrum, PantherMart and Workday (anticipated).

• Workflow and Access: Collaborates with the Spectrum office to establish new users, troubleshoot access, and set up financial workflows.

• Software Proficiency: Requires expert-level knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials, Query, ADP or Workday, in addition to advanced Microsoft Excel.

• Foundation Systems: Utilizes Financial Edge to monitor Foundation-specific budget reports, ensuring alignment with the purpose of the fund.

• Transaction Monitoring: Monitors and performs journal entries to correct expenses, pay invoices, and handle rollover balances for accounts like Study Abroad.

• Staff Supervision: Supervises, trains, and evaluates staff, including setting annual goals and conducting performance evaluations.

• Training and Development: Develops and leads internal training for management and college staff regarding budget and financial policies.

Liaison and Collaboration

• University-Level Coordination: Serves as a primary liaison with university units such as Budget and Planning, Accounting Services, Disbursements, Research Administration, and GSU Foundation to ensure budget controls.

• Foundation Relations: Works directly with the GSU Foundation regarding web-invoicing and resolving issues.

• Committee Participation: Represents the college on committees, such as the Operations Committee, to report on business process changes or general financial information. Works with the college leadership team to develop workload projections for faculty and review financial data to inform decision-making.

Strategic Leadership and Operational Oversight

• Independent Judgment: This role operates with broad latitude for initiative and independent judgment under the supervision of the Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration to direct all financial workflows for the college.

• Process Innovation: A key focus includes developing and implementing innovative business and financial practices that are cost-effective and enhance the delivery of customer service.

• Internal Controls: The position is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the adequacy of internal controls, implementing corrective measures when necessary to ensure institutional compliance.

• Position Tracking: Maintains position management tracking for all full-time faculty and staff and reconciles records with Academic Departments, HR, and Payroll.

Qualifications :

Minimum Requirements:  

• Bachelor's degree and three years of budgetary experience, or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Hiring Requirements:  

• Competitive candidates should possess extensive knowledge of higher education, financial management, budgeting, accounting principles, and financial reporting practices.
• Demonstrated proficiency with PeopleSoft Financials, PeopleSoft Query, ADP, and advanced Microsoft Excel is expected, including the ability to analyze complex financial data, develop reports, and support strategic decision-making.
• Candidates should have progressively responsible experience in budget administration, accounting, finance, or a closely related field, with experience in a higher education environment strongly preferred.
• Experience interpreting and applying University System of Georgia (USG), Georgia State University, state, and federal financial policies and procedures is highly desirable. Relevant professional certifications (e.g., Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or Certified Higher Education Professional) may be considered a plus but are not required.