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Emory University

Director of Accounting - Office of the Controller

🇺🇸 Atlanta, GA

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Finance

🗓️ August 7th, 2025

GAAP

Edtech.com's Summary

Emory University is hiring a Director of Accounting - Office of the Controller. This role manages all aspects of accounting related to the university's endowment and investments, oversees financial reporting and audits, collaborates with multiple departments, and leads the accounting team to ensure compliance with policies and accurate financial statements.

Highlights

  • Oversees accounting for Emory's endowment, spending distributions, and new endowments creation.
  • Provides customer service to schools, units, and executive management regarding financial results.
  • Collaborates with Emory Investment Management and Finance leadership on budgets and forecasts.
  • Manages investment components of financial statement audits and prepares audit schedules and footnotes.
  • Accounts for charitable trusts, gift annuities, and contributions receivable, collaborating with Advancement and Alumni Relations.
  • Develops and maintains accounting principles, internal controls, and financial reporting procedures in compliance with US GAAP.
  • Leads and manages accounting staff, including training and performance management.
  • Requires bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field with seven years of related accounting experience; CPA or master's preferred.
  • Experience in higher education or non-profit financial analysis and planning is advantageous.
  • Strong verbal, written, communication, and leadership skills essential.

Director of Accounting - Office of the Controller Full Description

Discover Your Career at Emory University: 
Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community. Description: 
JOB DESCRIPTION: 
  • Oversees all aspects of the accounting for Emory’s endowment including period close processes, preparation of endowment spending distribution to schools and units and related reporting, and creation of new endowments. 
  • Provides on-going customer service to schools and units and executive management regarding endowment results. 
  • Collaborates closely with Emory Investment Management to ensure operational targets and reporting are coordinated with endowment accounting. Works closely with Emory Finance leadership in preparing the annual endowment spending budget and 5-year forecast. 
  • Manages investments component of the annual financial statement audit including preparing key audit schedules, footnotes to the financial statements, and preparation of the consolidated statement of cash flows. 
  • Responsible for accounting for all other investments of Emory University including charitable remainder unitrusts, annuity trusts and charitable gift annuity pool. 
  • Also collaborates with Advancement and Alumni Relations to manage accounting for contributions receivable and gifts including tracking of pledge payments and release from restrictions.
  • Is responsible for developing and maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements. 
  • Manages staff to ensure that work is properly allocated and completed in a timely and accurate manner. 
  • Addresses tight deadlines and a multitude of accounting activities including general ledger preparation, financial reporting, year-end audit preparation, board materials preparation, and the support of budget and forecast activities. 
  • Interacts with Office of General Counsel, Emory Investment Management, the Controller, chief business officers in schools/units and senior management. 
  • Oversees accounting functions, including intercompany accounting, financial reporting, balance sheet management and income statement variance analytics. 
  • Ensures an accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and year end close. 
  • Ensures the timely reporting of all monthly financial information. 
  • Is accountable for ensuring that policies and procedures (internal controls) are in place to provide reasonable assurance that the institutional assets are protected. 
  • Coordinates internal controls documentation, testing and segregation of duties as needed. 
  • Collaborates with the other finance department managers to support overall department goals and objectives. 
  • Monitors and analyzes department work to develop more efficient procedures and use of resources while maintaining a high level of accuracy. 
  • Works with the Controller to ensure a clean and timely year end audit. 
  • Assists in the development and implementation of new procedures and features to enhance the workflow of the department. 
  • Provides staff training, handles personnel issues, and works with each direct report to establish goals and objectives for each year; monitors professional development opportunities and participation. 
  • Collaborates with the Controller and Assistant Controller on special projects and process improvements. 
  • Responds to inquiries from the VP for Finance/CFO, Controller, and departments regarding financial results and special reporting requests. 
  • Ensures that the institution's financial records, under area of responsibility, are maintained in compliance with policies and US GAAP. 
  • Responsible for reviewing monthly/quarterly account reconciliations and other documents to ensure compliance. 
  • Is involved in validating/designing accounting system suggested changes to ensure accounting requirements continue to be met. 
  • Coordinates work related to both internal and external audits in the periodic review of the financial records. 
  • Performs related responsibilities as required. 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
  • A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field and seven years of public, non-profit or private industry accounting experience which includes management level experience. 
  • Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field or CPA preferred. 
  • Experience analyzing financial performance and developing financial plans within a higher education or non-profit environment is a plus. 
  • Excellent verbal, written, communication and leadership skills.
NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs.  Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee. Additional Details: 
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.