Associate Director, Accounting

Position Number: 9802785
Location: Salt Lake City, United States
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Associate Director, Accounting

Job Summary

The Associate Director, Accounting leads the accounting functions that support HCI's research, education, and outreach mission. This position leads a team to oversee HCI financial reporting, internal controls, recharge center accounts receivable, fixed assets accounting, and the research receiving dock. The position combines technical accounting expertise with strong operational leadership to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficient service delivery across HCI.

Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve -- which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming -- with impact worldwide.

In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute's mission and this position.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities
Financial Reporting* Manage the preparation and distribution of HCI and program-level monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in collaboration with the Senior Director, Finance, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness.* Lead the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.* Ensure the integrity of the general ledger through oversight of reconciliations, account analysis, and transaction reviews.* Prepare financial reports for philanthropic gifts, state appropriations, indirect costs, research programs, faculty support, KPIs, and other ad hoc needs.* Analyze financial results and provide variance analyses comparing actual performance to budget, forecast, and prior year.* Collaborate with finance leadership and operational stakeholders to support short- and long-term forecasting activities.
Operational Leadership* Direct daily accounting operations including recharge center invoicing, collections, reconciliations, journal entries, and related financial processes.* Establish, monitor, and enhance internal controls to ensure compliance with HCI and UU policies and safeguard HCI assets.* Review and approve ePRs, purchasing card reports, journal entries, reconciliations, and other materials prepared by the team.* Review contracts under $10K and advise department heads on issues and risks.* Contribute to developing and updating HCI financial policies and procedures.* Support internal audits by coordinating schedules, documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries.* Participate in special projects, system upgrades, and organizational initiatives.* Identify and implement process improvements, reporting automation, and financial system enhancements to increase accuracy and efficiency.* Monitor accounting operations KPIs related to accuracy, timeliness, and compliance; recommend improvements based on data insights.Customer Support* Provide timely guidance and support to HCI investigators and staff, addressing ad hoc process and policy questions and connecting them with UU resources when needed.* Ensure clear communication with department heads through updated training materials, FAQs, and content on the HCI Finance web page.Team Management* Lead, mentor, and develop a team of accounting and receiving dock professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.* Set departmental priorities, employee performance goals, conduct evaluations, and identify training opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.* Ensure sufficient cross-training and coverage for team absences.
This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Associate Director, Accounting ManagementDirect/Manage/Supervise one or more accounting teams. Ensure organizational adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or other accounting standards. Ensure timely preparation and review of all required regulatory filings. Advise on annual budgeting and prepare accounting reports for executive leadership. Review work submitted by accountants and manage accounting close processes. Perform analysis on financials and accounting metrics for presentation to leadership. Third-level manager. Manages the activities of first-level and second-level managers and/or supervisors. Responsible for hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews. Broad knowledge of the field with proven leadership skills.

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels: Associate Director, Accounting Management: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences
Preferred

CPA, CMA, MBA or MAcc
Experience with fund accounting in a higher education, research, or nonprofit environment
Solid knowledge of applicable UU regulations and procedures
Knowledge and application of GASB accounting
Experience in a higher education research organization
Background in process automation or system implementations
Experience leading accounting teams through organizational growth or change initiatives
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalency.
Seven or more years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, including at least three years of supervisory responsibility.
Strong understanding of GAAP, fund accounting, and internal controls.
Proficiency with accounting software.
Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with large data sets.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing internal controls and process improvements.
Experience preparing financial reports, reconciliations, and complex financial analyses.
Excellent communication, leadership, and problemsolving abilities.

Core Competencies

Accuracy & Attention to Detail
Leadership & Team Development
Process Optimization
Analytical Thinking
Time Management & Prioritization
Positive Change Management

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN46102B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary:
Department: 01259 - HCI Finance
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 75,4000 - 115,000
Close Date: 12/02/2026
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit <a href=""https://apptrkr.com/9802785"">https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/208780

Job Details