Carnegie Mellon University · 2 days ago
Director of Accounting Operations - Dietrich College
Pittsburgh, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
7+ years expCarnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that challenges the curious and hardworking to deliver work that matters. We are seeking a Director of Accounting Operations who will provide strategic and operational leadership for the financial and accounting functions within the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, overseeing accounting operations and ensuring compliance and financial integrity.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day accounting operations for all Dietrich College departments, centers, and programs
Ensure compliance with university accounting policies, GAAP standards, regulatory requirements, and sponsor regulations
Manage month quarter and year-end close processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analyses
Manage the Procure-to-Pay function, ensuring the college’s vendor relationships and invoices are managed timely and in compliance with university policy
Ensure payroll (including faculty summer salaries and sponsored research commitments), tax, and receivable transactions are processed in accordance with university requirements
Produce accurate and timely financial statements and reports for college and university leadership
Collaborate with FP&A to develop models for indirect cost recovery and support college financial sustainability
Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure data integrity
Partner with university Controller and finance leadership and teams to maintain strong financial stewardship, controls and compliance practices
Coordinate with grant and contract accounting, including pre-award budget review, post-award expense tracking, effort reporting, and closeout
Coordinate with internal and external auditors to ensure audit readiness and resolution of findings
Identify and execute initiatives to streamline accounting processes and enhance operational efficiency, leveraging technology and best practices to drive continuous improvement
Lead or support the college implementation of financial systems, tools, and automation initiatives in conjunction with the finance division
Champion the use of data analytics and business intelligence to translate data into actionable insights for cross function teams
Collaborate with the Budget and Financial Planning teams to ensure data consistency and process integration across systems (e.g., Workday, Oracle, Tableau)
Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational performance and service delivery
Provide operational and analytical support to the Chief Business Officer and Director of FP&A for financial planning, forecasting, and scenario analysis
Assess resource utilization and staffing models to align operations with evolving organizational needs
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Business Officer, Dean’s Office, and department heads on accounting matters translating academic and research priorities into sustainable financial strategies
Provide analytical support and financial insight for audits, facilities projects, space utilization, grants management, and special projects
Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs on post-award financial management for research activity
Supervise and mentor accounting and business operations staff within the college
Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and recognize achievements
Promote professional growth, accountability, and service excellence within the finance team
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required
7-10 years of relevant experience in accounting or financial operations
5-7 years of management experience
Demonstrated ability to cultivate credibility and build collaborative partnerships across academic, administrative, and central university functions
Proven experience developing, mentoring, and retaining a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and service excellence
Demonstrated mastery in managing complex accounting operations, including financial close cycles, reconciliations, transaction processing, and compliance with GAAP and regulatory standards
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
High proficiency with advanced Excel functions, financial systems (such as Workday or Oracle), data analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau), and automation technologies
Successful background investigation
Preferred
Master's degree preferred
CPA, CMA, or equivalent financial certification preferred
A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions
Tuition benefits
Ample paid time off and observed holidays
Life and accidental death and disability insurance
Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass
Access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs
Fitness center access
Company
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university that offers degrees in technology, arts, and various other fields.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Carnegie Mellon University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (131)
2024 (131)
2023 (149)
2022 (132)
2021 (120)
2020 (99)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$488.58MKey Investors
ICANNAppalachian Regional CommissioneBPF Foundation
2025-05-29Grant· $0.45M
2024-09-05Grant· $0.5M
2024-08-29Grant· $0.05M
Leadership Team
Amy Coutu
Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Applications
Chirag Patel
Adjunct Professor
Recent News
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