Finance Manager

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000

Position Summary

University Life is a central division that works with Columbia's 17 schools and colleges and serves as a student life hub. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture where students can thrive in all dimensions of their lives. We focus on connecting students to each other, to the broader University and surrounding community, and to opportunities beyond their schools.

University Life was created to develop and enhance the student experience at Columbia University. Working in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, University Life focuses on enhancing the student experience by strengthening resources, policies, and conversations, and building community outside of the classroom. Our efforts all connect to core values for the Columbia community:

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  Inclusion and belonging

  
  
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  Health and well-being

  
  
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  Sexual respect

  
  
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  Community citizenship

  
  

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance (AD), the Finance Manager, will be charged with processing and reconciling financial transactions, and providing periodical financial reports. They will be responsible for ensuring that financial information has been recorded accurately and in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high-quality customer service for diverse audiences, students, faculty, and staff; foster a collegial and inviting environment that supports the division on financial-related inquiries.
• Process invoices, reimbursements, and all other financial transactions accurately and in a timely manner for all University Life departments. Reviews and approves p-card, and corporate card, Concur, voucher and requisition transactions for the division.
• Work with the AD to process contracts, agreements, sponsorships, in line with University guidelines; ensures fiscal compliance across divisional processes, policies and guidelines.
• Manage finance ticket inquiries from the division via ServiceNow platform. Escalate inquiries as needed to the Executive Director and Associate Vice President (SBOs).
• Provide support to the Finance leadership team on ad hoc projects
• Prepare and present reports to track the division's various revenue streams and expenditures and to review budget versus actual results.
• Work with the AD to perform and present trend analysis and forecasting of revenue and expense areas to allow for more efficient and effective financial and programmatic decision-making including identifying potential shortfalls.
• In close collaboration with the AD, create and administer finance training to new hires, managers, and refreshers to existing staff as needed; advise staff on policy and processing changes, including vendor management support.
• Manage and review all financial transactions for University Life programs and initiatives as well as initiatives including but not limited to, broader university initiatives related to student life, student engagement, and student well-being
• Work closely with the AD and Executive Director on annual fiscal closing for the division.
• Oversee administrative finance tasks, including filing, scanning, shredding, etc.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance or a related field, or equivalent experience required.
• 2-4 years related experience.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and expense analysis.
• Experience with Oracle/PeopleSoft or comparable financial systems.
• Experience working in higher education or non-profit organizations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and work independently.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel, including working with formulas, scripts, and pivot tables.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Javascript and/or ServiceNow or other ticketing systems is a plus.
• The right candidate is patient, solutions-oriented, and enjoys working with others to build community.
• Exercises sound judgment and maintains a sense of humor and enjoys working in a dynamic environment.
• Highly skilled in building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, conflict management, leadership, and team-building skills, including proactive problem-solving skills.
• A culturally responsive professional who demonstrates the ability to communicate across differences and interpersonally with a wide range of stakeholders and can grasp differing viewpoints with humility.
• A desire to contribute to an organizational process of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Interest and experience in designing and implementing high-quality activities, programs, and services for students.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.