Manager, Accounting Services - Special Project (September 2024 - December 2027)

Status: Special Project (September 2024 – December 2027)

Hours: Monday – Friday, 35 hours/week

Home Campus: Fennell (hybrid work arrangements available)

Rate of Pay: Payband 12 ($109,107 - $136,384 per year, plus 4% in lieu of vacation)

We believe the rich diversity among our students and the communities we serve should be reflected within our workforce. As educators, we believe it is important to act and show leadership in advancing the principles of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Controller, the Manager, Accounting Services is responsible for establishing and overseeing policies, procedures and internal controls relating to the accounting functions of Mohawk College.  The Manager, Accounting Services is responsible for the monthly college financial statements, annual audited financial statements, developing financial internal controls, college-wide cash handling and banking activities, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, commodity tax accountability, general accounting functions, and fixed asset control and reporting.

This position is required to provide a police check prior to the commencement of employment.

We are transforming Banner, our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Student Information System, to benefit from the latest offerings of its full baseline functionality within a managed cloud environment - eliminating our legacy risk, and building a strong foundation to support the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

To support our business transformation, Mohawk College has assembled a dedicated cross-functional team to connect expertise from all areas of the college that are impacted by Banner.  This position will backfill for our staff who will be seconded to the project. 

What you’ll be doing:

Responsible for the Management of College-Wide Accounting Operations

• ​Provides leadership and direction to the Accounting Services department by recruiting, selecting, directing, motivating and evaluating staff.
• Ensuring adequate coverage of key duties in the Accounting Services department and co-ordinating cross-training.
• Responsible for the operations of the Accounting Services department within budget limitations while continuing to maintain high performance levels, segregation of duties and adequate internal controls.
• Responsible for overseeing college-wide cash handling practices, procedures and internal controls. Coordinates with Information Technology Security Operations to ensure all cash handling application/systems meet PCI requirements.
• Responsible for the college's accounts payable function by ensuring that expenses and taxes are accounted for properly, payment is made to suppliers on time, efficient processes and proper segregation of duties.
• Responsible for the college's student and non-student accounts receivable functions by ensuring accurate and efficient invoice preparation activities, timely and accurate student refunding and student account adjustment procedures are in place, ensuring collection practices are effective and timely and internal controls are in place.
• Responsible for the accounting of the college’s revenue sources.
• Responsible for the safeguarding, control and reporting of the college's fixed assets.
• Responsible for overseeing the administration of the college’s Purchasing Card program.
• Develops, evaluates and monitors the financial integrity and internal controls around college wide cash handling activities, capital asset controls and financial monitoring.

Planning, Development and Implementation of Accounting Procedures and Internal Controls for New College Initiatives and Regulatory changes. Review Current Procedures of College Operations to Correct any Control Weaknesses

• ​Ongoing internal college initiatives such as the cashier system and financial information system implementation require financial expertise in planning, developing policies and procedures and clear direction to achieve successful implementation.
• Finance lead on any college wide system changes being initiated by other departments to ensure financial system controls are in place, integration with FAST Finance and Banner, and appropriate student account tracking processes exist.
• Ongoing Ontario college initiatives, such as financial consolidation under the Province of Ontario, require financial expertise and in-depth knowledge of the College’s financial system in determining how to meet new reporting requirements.
• Assessment of financial reporting compliance, data integrity and internal controls represents an ongoing challenge with the wide diversity of programs, special events and entrepreneurial activities present within the college operating within a fully integrated enterprise-wide system.
• Assessment of changes to processes and procedures made throughout the college, as it affects financial data, requires a sound understanding of how data is integrated within the enterprise-wide system, specifically within the student (registration), cash handling and accounts receivable areas.
• Preparation of various management reports and presentations to support and/or facilitate decision making to various levels of management.
• Visits or liaison with outlying campuses and establish contact with managers to ensure that they are aware of college financial procedures.

Financial Reporting

• ​Plans, coordinates and leads the month end close of the financial statements for the college.
• Approves monthly journal entries and reconciliations of balance sheet accounts and, financial reports prepared by staff members in Accounting Services and Financial Services.
• Prepares monthly financial statements for senior level review Plans and co-ordinates the year end close process including the preparation of the annual audited financial statements.  
• Prepares schedules and checklists to be communicated to all financial managers and staff in the finance division. The Manager is a prime contact with the external auditors during the financial year-end audit.
• Prepares, reviews or approves month end account reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with statutory legislation, appropriate accounting guidelines and CRA standards in all financial reporting Supports the Controller in the preparation of financial reports and presentations for the Audit, Finance & Infrastructure Committee of the Board of Governors.
• Responsible for the maintenance and analysis of the general ledger and its subsystems; and, ensure that assets, liabilities, revenue and expenditures are properly and accurately recorded.
• Prepares variance analysis for Statement of Financial Position and reviews and approves variance analysis for non-payroll expenditures on the Statement of Operations.
• Prepares annual budget analysis for various balance sheet accounts.
• Responsible for submission of annual budget to the Budget Department for the various college-wide accounts and responsible for quarterly reporting of significant variances between budget and actual results.

Commodity Tax Compliance

• ​Assess the need for commodity tax consulting services and evaluates the cost versus benefit of such services.
• Ensures compliance with excise tax laws.
• Responsible for proper assessment of commodity tax implications on college purchases and sales.
• Approves and submits monthly HST return to the government and prepares annual assessments.
• Leads and is primary contact for CRA commodity tax audits and inquiries.
• Assess and recommends commodity tax implications on new grants and/or new initiatives undertaken by the college.
• Prepares annual detailed analysis on GST/HST indirect costs supporting commercial activities for recovery of taxes.

College Wide Financial Policies and Procedures

• ​Authors, manages, monitors and audits compliance and enforcement with college wide financial policies include but not limited to purchasing card policy, cash handling policy, financial reporting and safekeeping of capital assets, and petty cash.
• Advises and assists college employees on financial policies and procedures by preparing and providing training sessions and reference materials.
• Ensures robust processes and controls are in place to ensure compliance with legislation, accounting and reporting guidelines.
• Develop, refine and implement policies and procedures to ensure proper accounting and controls of financial information.
• Recommend and assist in implementing continuous improvement initiatives and processes to improve college-wide financial policies and procedures.

Contract Management

• ​Develops and facilitates commodity tax services, banking, credit collections, cashiering services and payment processing tendering processes while ensuring compliance with the purchasing policy.
• Develops sound relationships and ensures the college receives full benefit of expected service levels.
• Monitors the service level and fees in accordance with the contracts.
• Advises and assists college employees on cashiering and payment tendering process changes and implementations by preparing and providing training sessions and reference materials.

Other duties as assigned.

• Acts on behalf of the Controller in their absence. Other duties as assigned.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• ​A minimum 4-year undergraduate University degree in Accounting, Business or Commerce.
• Chartered Professional Accountant designation is a requirement at the time of hire.
• Minimum of 7 years work experience.  
• Previous management experience Previous public accounting experience and ability to interpret accounting standards.
• Deep knowledge of full-cycle accounting and strong technical skills.
• Preparation of financial statements including note disclosure. Sound experience with integrated financial information systems.
• Experience with financial system upgrades and new implementations.
• Experience with current accounting principles applicable to public colleges.
• External auditing experience preferred.
• Sound experience working on large cross-functional projects and process improvements within financial functions.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle a high volume of work and be able to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in communicating complex financial information across multiple levels and audiences.
• Must be a self-starter and a highly collaborative, innovative, forward thinker who brings proven coaching skills with the ability to mobilize action and engage others.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• The ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse students, employees, and communities.

What we offer:

• ​Opportunity to gain experience and build relationships at a Hamilton/Niagara Top Employer.
• Access to professional development opportunities.
• Option to enroll in Defined Benefit pension plan (CAAT) with contributions matched by Mohawk College.
• Discounted rate for full-service athletic facility and instructor-led classes.
• Opportunities to engage in wellness events and activities.

To find out more about working at Mohawk College, please visit https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about-mohawk/careers-at-mohawk

We are committed to reconciliation and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) environment for everyone who learns and works at Mohawk College. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

The College is committed to fostering inclusive ad barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.

To learn more about Mohawk College’s commitments, please visit the Mohawk College strategic plan webpage: https://www.strategicplan.mohawkcollege.ca/