Accounting Manager, Accounting

Job Description:

The Accounting Manager provides leadership and oversight for accounting operations within the Controller's Department. This position is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of the institution's financial records; coordinating monthly and annual close activities; supervising professional accounting staff; and supporting compliance, audit readiness, and internal controls. The Accounting Manager serves as a key escalation point for complex accounting matters and works closely with campus partners to support effective financial operations.

Essential Functions:

Leadership & Supervision

• Manage day to day accounting operations, including planning, assigning, and reviewing work to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• Supervise Accounting and other assigned staff; provide coaching, training, and performance feedback in accordance with institutional policy and collective bargaining agreements.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures, documentation, and coverage plans to support continuity of operations and consistent service delivery.

Financial Close, Reporting, & Oversight

• Oversee monthly, quarter end, and year end close activities for assigned accounting areas.
• Review and approve complex journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and adjustments to ensure compliance with GAAP and institutional standards.
• Ensure general ledger accounts, funds, and supporting schedules are complete, accurate, and properly maintained.
• Support preparation of internal financial reports and external reporting by ensuring the reliability of underlying accounting records.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit Coordination

• Develop, implement, and monitor accounting procedures and internal controls to mitigate risk and promote compliance.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audits, including preparation of documentation and responses to audit inquiries.
• Ensure accounting practices align with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies.

Cash, Banking & Complex Accounting Areas

• Oversee bank and related reconciliations and review resolution of reconciling items.
• Coordinate operational banking and payment control processes as assigned.
• Provide guidance on complex accounting issues, including multi fund activity and related entity transactions as applicable.

Campus & Departmental Collaboration

• Serve as a primary accounting resource for campus departments and administrative units, resolving complex or escalated accounting issues.
• Partner with other finance and administrative teams to support accurate, timely, and consistent financial records across the institution.
• Represent the Accounting function on committees, working groups, and institution-wide initiatives as assigned.

Special Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Lead or support special projects assigned by the Deputy Controller or Controller, including process improvements, policy development, and system or workflow enhancements.
• Evaluate existing practices and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and strengthen internal controls.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related business field.
• 7 years of progressively responsible accounting experience; Experience in public accounting, corporate accounting, higher education, government, or not-for-profit organization is preferred. Experience with financial reporting, internal controls, audit support, and complex accounting operations is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated supervisory or managerial experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, general ledger accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using enterprise financial systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA).
• Experience managing accounting operations in a complex or multi entity environment.
• Experience leading audits or significant accounting process improvements.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Additional Information:

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $99,777.63 per year

The UCE-FIT Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) dictates the compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment. Hiring Salary: $99,777.63 per year with step increments per Salary Schedule 96, after one year of service and annually thereafter.

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

• Retirement Plans
• Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• FIT Tuition Exemption Program
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
• 4-day Summer Workweek
• Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212.217.3360.

Annual Security Report

The safety and well-being of FIT's students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance.  Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety's administrative office number at (212) 217-4999.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be primarily in an office space. The physical requirement for this position will require constant sitting, occasional standing, occasional bending, occasional walking, occasional pulling, pushing, or reaching, constant repetitive motions, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered for this position, please submit the following documents online:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Unofficial Transcript
• A list of three references with telephone numbers and email addresses

Returning Applicants - Login to your FITNYC Careers Account to check your submitted application material.

Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.

Please note that due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to contact each applicant individually.

Additional information about the Fashion Institute of Technology can be found at: http://www.fitnyc.edu.