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The Student Affairs Financial Manager manages financial operations, oversees budgeting, and ensures compliance with financial policies and regulations. This role emphasizes collaboration with student organizations, leadership in Student Affairs, and College administration to ensure fiscal responsibility, transparency, and effective management of funds. The Financial Manager guides and supports student organizations in their financial activities and decision-making processes, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and policies, and assists the Student Affairs budget manager in overseeing divisional and departmental budgets

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Financial Management and Oversight:

• Oversee the financial operations for over 100 student organizations and the Campus Life department, including budgeting, purchasing, forecasting, and financial reporting.

• Ensure compliance with college, state, and federal policies, procedures, and regulations related to financial management.

• Monitor and reconcile accounts to maintain accuracy, addressing discrepancies promptly.

• Collaborate with student organizations, advisors, and travel agents to secure college-approved travel arrangements in accordance with policies.

• Lead mid-year and end-of-year budget reviews with departmental cost center managers within Student Affairs.

Budgeting and Financial Planning:

• Assist in the development and management of annual budgets for both student organizations and Student Affairs.

• Provide training and support to student organization leaders and departmental staff on budgeting, purchasing, expense reconciliation, financial planning, and fiscal responsibility.

• Work with divisional leadership on long-term financial planning and sustainability initiatives.

• Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for cost savings or process improvements.

Advisory and Support Services:

• Serve as a financial advisor to student government and student organizations, offering guidance on best practices and economic matters.

• Facilitate financial transactions for student organizations, including payments, reimbursements, contracts, and purchase orders.

• Foster communication and act as a liaison between student organizations, college administration, external stakeholders, and the college’s financial departments.

• Collaborate with the SGA Treasurer to manage and administer all student organizations' ABR (Allocation Budget Request) process.

• Assist the Student Affairs division budget manager and departmental staff with purchasing, contracts,  and expense reconciliation.

• Guide Workday financial operations and support departments within Student Affairs on budget management.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with college, state, and federal regulations related to financial management and reporting.

• Conduct periodic audits of student organization financial activities, providing recommendations for improvement and mitigating risks.

• Carry out additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to perform the job effectively. 

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field is preferred.  

• 3-5 years of experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, or related roles within an office or higher education environment is required.  

• Proficiency in financial management software (e.g., Workday), Google Drive/Docs, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required.  

• Experience advising or working closely with student organizations and student affairs preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – This may be representative but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.  

• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and accounting principles. 

• Familiarity with state, federal, and institutional financial management and reporting regulations.

• Ability to work independently and as a team, anticipate needs, act with sound judgment, and maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of work.

• Must have strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and adjust to changing priorities appropriately

• Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks while meeting deadlines

• Must have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills and be able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality at all times

• Ability to effectively interface with all constituents

• Ability to envision and propose new methods to perform tasks, take thoughtful risks, and accept new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions

• Ability to anticipate change; demonstrate willingness to achieve, acquire, and utilize new skills and challenging tasks; and be flexible in changing conditions

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform basic functions.

• Ability to sit/stand in the office for multiple hours.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. This position will be hybrid with an expectation of two days in the office and three days remote.

• Office environment

Disclaimer: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Specific job duties described herein may be subject to possible modification by appropriate state and federal laws.

 

Hybrid

This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week.

The hybrid arrangement will be made upon hire. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness. This arrangement must be approved as outlined in the Remote Work Policy. 

Compensation: $62,600.00 - $76,700.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-08E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division:

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.