Apply on Employer Site

George Mason University · 3 weeks ago

Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting

Fairfax, VA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

5+ years exp

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse university in Virginia, dedicated to promoting financial best practices and continuous improvement. The Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting is responsible for analyzing financial data, developing forecasts, and providing strategic insights to support business decisions within the Controller’s Office.

Education

Culture & Values

No H1B

Responsibilities

Supports and works alongside other teams within Fiscal Services, as directed by supervisor, Associate Vice President and Controller, and Finance leadership on assigned fiscal projects/initiatives

Supports may include accounting reconciliations, documentation review and/or preparation, research, policy and procedure reviews/documentation, managing invoicing and reporting for state-funded sponsored projects, internal controls management and remediation, and infrastructure/system recommendations

May also interface and collaborate on efforts with Fiscal Services customers across the university

Supports fiscal year-end close activities, including account reconciliations and state filings

Creates and maintains internal audit narratives that document and strengthen the control environment across the university

Provides input and simulates complex financial models to support forecasting, budgeting, and strategic decision-making initiatives

Facilitates the university’s triennial Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate proposal by serving as contract administrator for the outside firm preparing the proposal and facilitating all aspects of data gathering for supporting the work of the contractor

Provides analysis and feedback, including financial forecasts and models, to management and Space Committee on impact of internal decisions and external factors, such as regulatory changes

Reviews proposal prepared by contractor for overall reasonableness and accuracy prior to submission to cognizant agency (ONR)

Reviews annual fringe benefit proposal prepared in Fiscal Services for overall reasonableness and accuracy

Supports the DCAA audit of the proposal - Percentage allocated to the F&A function will be higher in years when proposal is due

Coordinates with the Recharge Committee to monitor compliance with the university’s recharge policy to include the following activities:

Reviews annual analysis of recharge units

Reviews submissions and follows up with units as needed

Works with units on any additional analysis needed for Budget and Planning Team review

Works with units when a new recharge is established

Ensures units understands recharge policy

Ensures rate development is in compliance with OMB Uniformed Guidance; and

Assists units with initial processing of recharge

Notifies the Office of Sponsored Programs when recharge rates that impact sponsored projects are revised

Debt Compliance

Assists in monitoring and tracking the private business use of facilities financed with tax-exempt bonds to ensure adherence to institutional policies and federal tax-exempt regulations

Supports the review and analysis of private business use activities within bond-financed facilities and helps compile and maintain documentation such as leases, management contracts, sponsored research agreements, and other related agreements

Participates in the annual private business use survey and reporting process and collaborates with internal departments and external parties to identify and report potential private use; and

Maintains comprehensive records to support audits and compliance reviews related to private business use

Qualification

Financial modelingCost accounting principlesInternal control managementOMB Uniform GuidanceGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)Budget modelingData visualization toolsCommunication skillsAttention to detail

Required

Bachelor's degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Generally, 5 - 10 years of progressively responsible accounting, auditing, or financial analysis experience

Familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance, F&A (Facilities & Administrative) rate development, fringe benefit proposals, and recharge center compliance

Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements

Understanding of fiscal year-end close processes, audit preparation, and reconciliation methods

Knowledge of budget modeling, long-term forecasting, and data-driven decision support tools

Understanding of risk assessment, control design, and audit trail documentation

Advanced skills in Excel, ERP systems (e.g., Banner), and data visualization tools (e.g., MicroStrategy, Power BI)

Strong written and verbal communication; ability to draft reports, internal audit narratives, and policy documents clearly and accurately

High attention to detail and accuracy

Preferred

Master's degree in related field

Generally, 10+ years of fiscal management, audit coordination, or compliance experience with demonstrated exposure to F&A rate proposals, recharge center management, and bond compliance

Progressively responsible accounting, auditing, or financial analysis experience in a higher education or government environment

Understanding of federal tax-exempt bond regulations, DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) audits, and internal control standards

Skilled in identifying financial discrepancies, compliance issues, and process inefficiencies, then recommending viable solutions

Ability to balance analytical depth with practical implementation of fiscal policies