GENERAL FUNCTION

The Chief Financial Officer advises the President on all matters pertaining to the management and operation of accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, budget control, bursar, student aid disbursement, budget preparation, ZipCard operations, financial information systems, credit management, collections, fiscal planning, financial statement preparation, investing, payroll, purchasing, property control, receiving, real estate, and risk management/insurance. The Chief Financial Officer exercises a major responsibility for the accounting and investing of the Missouri State University Foundation and the Missouri State University Development Corporation and serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Governors. The Chief Financial Officer helps to promote a customer-oriented service attitude and serves as the executive officer directly responsible for providing leadership and general management of the following financial service units:

Controller: University payroll operations, cash management programs, accounting operations of the Missouri State University Foundation, investments, coordination with independent auditors, and coordination of the collection of student loans and other accounts receivable items.

Accounting: Budget control, accounts receivable and accounts payable processing, supervision of financial transactions that affect the general ledger, and preparation of
the financial statement of the University.

Budgeting: Data collection and preparation of both the appropriations request to the State of Missouri and the annual internal operating budget.

ZipCard: Management of the University’s one card system with declining balance, operations security, POS, ID card, and time management functions.

Financial Information Systems: In cooperation with Computer Services, maintains and upgrades computer systems which capture information required for internal and external financial reporting.

Procurement: Purchasing, property control, central receiving and shipping, real estate acquisitions, risk management and insurance.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS              

Education: A Bachelor’s degree and CPA is required; or a Master's degree in Business Administration is required.

Experience: If the educational preparation is a Bachelor’s degree and CPA, at least eight years of progressively responsible experience in either public accounting practice (with at least three years involving management responsibilities) or in management of a large and complex organization, including management of financial activities, is required. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration, at least five years of progressively responsible experience in either public accounting practice (with at least three years involving management responsibilities) or in management of a large and complex organization, including management of financial activities, is required.

Skills: Strong leadership and strategic planning abilities are required. The ability to project a strong positive image of the University through interaction with all constituencies conducting business with the University, including the media, is required. Executive problem-solving skills and the ability to organize and manage complex functions are required. Exceptional aptitude in financial activities management is required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

1. Promotes the financial well-being of the University by monitoring appropriate Investments of temporary cash balances, exercising executive control over University
budgets, and safeguarding all financial assets of the University.

2. Advises the President, senior University administration officers, and members of the Board of Governors on issues relating to the financial status of the University by serving as a member of the President’s Administrative Council, reporting financial information at monthly Board of Governors meetings, and by preparing reports, recommendations, findings, and other correspondence as required.

3. Helps to ensure achievement of the goals and objectives of the University by overseeing the preparation of an annual appropriations request to the State of Missouri
and overseeing the preparation of an internal budget using estimates of future revenue and following established policies for expenditures.

4. Facilitates an effective working relationship with state officials by ensuring University compliance with state fiscal policies and accounting procedures, maintaining open channels of communication with appropriate state officials, facilitating an exchange of information on these subjects, and implementing all relevant state policies regarding fiscal operations.

5. Ensures compliance with professional accounting standards, rules, regulations, and laws by directing, supervising, and facilitating the preparation and maintenance of required and appropriate financial records, monthly and annual financial reports, and all other financial reporting as may be required by federal, state, local agencies, or established accounting standards.

6. Facilitates the governance of the University by providing financial information to the Board of Governors and implementing the Board’s decisions through the establishment of policies, procedures, and guidelines.

7. Prevents institutional liability in financial operations by facilitating the access of the independent auditors to requested records during the conduct of the University's annual audit.

8. Ensures compliance with the institutional mission of the University by working with unit managers to develop and review unit plans, goals, and objectives, assuring development of effective business processes incorporating automation with appropriate technologies, designing systems of effective controls to guide work toward expected outcomes, and evaluating progress towards their accomplishment.

9. Ensures that computer systems used by Financial Services staff are adequate to provide the necessary financial information to support the academic program and to
prepare the financial reports that may be required.

10. Facilitates the ability of members of University community to conduct financial transactions with the University through use of a one-card system by overseeing the current provision of ZipCard services and supporting the growth and expansion of ZipCard services.

11. Ensures efficient and effective operation of the procurement function by overseeing the Procurement Services, Property Control, and Receiving, as well as all University real estate transactions and risk management/insurance analysis and transactions.

12. Enables division employees to perform their assigned tasks by overseeing the preparation and implementation of the annual budget for Financial Services.

13. Remains competent and current by reading professional journals and literature, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as appropriate.

14. Ensures that miscellaneous assignments related to Financial Services are completed in the best interests of the University by accepting and accomplishing all other tasks assigned by the President.

SUPERVISION