Arizona Christian University located in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area is seeking a VP of Finance to join their executive team. hte VP will report to the Chief Operating Officer.

Arizona Christian University (ACU) is an accredited, private, non-profit, Christian university in Glendale, Arizona offering a wide variety of degrees preparing students for successful careers, while remaining committed to its vision of transforming culture with biblical truth.

One of the fastest-growing Christian colleges in America, having grown 28 percent in the past two years with a student population nearing 1,000 students, the University sits on the historic and beautiful campus of the former Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona.  ACU has been recognized by US News & World report as a top-rated university for four straight years, ranking #14 in Regional Colleges West, #1 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, and #9 in Best Value Schools.

The VP of Finance serves as the top finance leader for the university and will direct and oversee the financial activities, direct the preparation of current financial reports and summaries, and create forecasts predicting future growth. This executive-level leader is expected to be a thought leader and through his/her influence work with departments to achieve individual, department, and organization-wide objectives and key results. The VP will keep the executive leadership informed of any regulatory changes and potential impacts to the university. The VP reports to the Chief Operating Officer. The successful candidate will bring a background of business knowledge that has demonstrated superb team leadership. With a personal style that is inclusive, engaging, and relationship focused; the VP of Finance will develop and maintain strong working relationships with members of the Cabinet and University leaders.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Advise the COO and President and other administrators regarding the financial operations of the College.
• Supervise all personnel assigned, recommending selection, retention, promotion, and discharge as appropriate
• Directly administer the development and implementation of the annual budget, including appropriate analysis of issues affecting revenue and/or expenditures, preparation of long-range budget forecasts, administration of budget process, and recommend budget amendments as necessary through the course of each fiscal year.
• Review and make recommendations for new and/or revised policies related to college finances and administrative services, including enrollment policies
• Annually prepare Composite Financial Index (CFI) for the Higher Learning Commission, analyze, and evaluate factors impacting the ratio, prepare and present to the COO, recommendations for increasing the CFI. Prepare all other required filings (990)
• Maintain an internal control system to ensure that financial transactions are based upon established procedures as required by the United States government, the State of Arizona, the college auditors and Board of Trustees' policies and procedures
• Oversee the development and preparation of all monthly and annual financial reports for the COO, President and the Board of Trustees and other reports as required.
• Present and discuss monthly financial statements at board meetings, to cabinet, and other stakeholders as designated by the President.
• Work with the VP of Operations and provide assistance regarding development of campus, facilities, and grounds, including the development and continued oversight of deferred maintenance list, with annual presentation to the President of projects recommended for funding and long-range strategies for addressing deferred capital needs.
• Coordinate the annual audit, including supplying auditors with all necessary information. Prepare the Management Discussion and Analysis (MDA) component of the audit.
• Distribute audited financial statements to banks, rating agencies, clearinghouses, governmental entities, and other stakeholders.
• Lead the development of annual changes to the schedule of tuition fees and discounts; develop and present annual recommendation to the COO, President.
• Assist in the oversight and the preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) in accordance with college policy.
• Oversee college funds including daily monitoring, forecasting, cash flow, investments of funds, and monitoring of pledged collateral.
• Review and recommend appropriate insurance coverage (casualty, liability, and other coverages, excluding employee benefits) on behalf of the college.
• Prepare all fiscal notes/analyses of pending legislation, as requested by the Arizona Department of Higher Education, General Assembly, or other governmental entities.
• Review, negotiate, and/or monitor execution of contracts for services.
• Review, negotiation, and/or monitor all leases entered by the college; develop and present recommendations for annual renewal of leases.
• Work with financial advisor and lending counsel on financing (general obligation bonds, lease purchases, revenue bonds, et al.).
• Annually review interest and/or finance charges on credit cards and other credit accounts, renegotiate as applicable, and report table of rates to the COO
• Respond to all state funding agency queries.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skills in fund accounting, cash flow management, investment of funds, budget preparation and management, both long-and short-term institutional financial planning, budget projections, and bond and tax levy funding.
• Knowledge of department and college policies, procedures, and practices with the ability to answer work related questions; and/or interpret and apply these guidelines correctly in various situations.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the University mission. Supervisory skills, particularly leading a team of professional staff.
• Ability to interpret and enforce college policies and procedures.
• Experience with ERP, SIS, and back-office systems.
• The successful candidate will come from the higher education environment where he/she developed strong leadership skills and has demonstrated success in driving financial success.
• A bachelor’s degree is required with preference given to an advanced degree such as an MBA or equivalent.

We are seeking a conservative, born-again Christian with personal behaviors and values that match the mission of ACU.  We are seeking a person that is personally driven to take skills developed and apply them to the success of the University. One who has a “Biblical Worldview” is going to be the best fit for the culture of the organization