Description

Position Summary:

The Chief Financial Officer reports to the Executive Vice President in the stewardship of the University’s financial resources with delegated authority in supervising critical financial functions of the University including accounting, purchasing, investments, and other related business matters.  

Role qualifications:

• Strong ability to work collaboratively and create goodwill with the University’s Board of Trustees, cabinet, staff, faculty, parents, and students
• Goal oriented with excellent analytical skills and accounting and finance knowledge, with the ability to confidently make decisions and recommendations to the Executive Vice President without need for frequent follow up
• Ability to inspire, build morale and collaboratively lead projects
• Willingness to explore the appropriate use of artificial intelligence for efficiency and effectiveness
• Commitment to the Articles of Faith, Mission and Objectives of the University; desires to be a role model for students by demonstrating an active Christian faith in personal example and in work-related responsibilities

Position Responsibilities:

• Oversees excellent cross training among accounting and finance staff as well as documentation of institutional knowledge, processes and procedures
• Serves as an administrative staff liaison to the Finance, Facilities & Audit committee and the Audit Subcommittee of the University’s Board of Trustees on matters related to accounting, finance and audit
• Serves as an administrative liaison to the Investment Committee of the University’s Board of Trustees
  and supports the Executive Vice President in implementing policy and producing analytical material for the Investment Committee
• Supervises budget preparation and leads staff in generating budget analytics and projections necessary to support the President’s Cabinet in budget decisions
• Oversees the institution’s accounting systems in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the preparation of financial statements and other financial reports for internal and external constituencies
• Monitors financial analytics and projections, reporting findings to Executive Vice President to support both short- and long-range planning
• Supports the professional development of employees within Accounting and Finance  
  Other duties as assigned

Institution
John Brown University’s mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Founded in 1919, JBU is a Christ-centered, Biblically-faithful, interdenominational university that represents the best of Protestant evangelicalism in our commitment to the following theological principles: the fundamental human need for conversion and lifelong discipleship; the centrality of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the redemption of human beings; high regard for, and obedience to, the Bible as our authority; and active involvement in a local church, in missions and in ministries that work for Biblical justice and serve people in need. At JBU, we seek to integrate faith and learning, foster holistic Christian formation, promote pragmatic liberal arts education, and prepare people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life. Consistent with its evangelical identity, JBU’s board of trustees has articulated institutional commitments on certain theological issues or university practices. With God’s help, JBU seeks to live out these commitments faithfully and humbly with grace and truth. All employees must affirm JBU’s Employee Expectations and Articles of Faith.

With more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 61 countries, JBU offers approximately 50 undergraduate programs, seven fully online bachelor’s degrees, and 10 graduate degrees in business, education, cybersecurity, and counseling. JBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds program-specific accreditations from various agencies. More information is available at jbu.edu/accreditation.

JBU has benefited from stable and excellent leadership throughout the organization. President Chip Pollard started in 2004 and has led the organization in consistently meeting enrollment goals, completing two capital campaigns and launching a third, completing two strategic plans and launching a third, 28 major building projects, encouraging efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty, staff, and students, and navigating the educational and financial challenges of the pandemic successfully. He served on the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) board for thirteen years and as chair for five years. Combined, the president's cabinet brings 127 years of service to JBU, and all cabinet members have held volunteer leadership positions in the CCCU, ACSD, CIC, NACUBO, and other higher education associations. JBU’s board of trustees are people of deep Christian faith, generous spirit, and professional expertise, with an average length of service of 11 years. They are deeply committed to maintaining JBU’s mission to educate students to honor God and serve others.

 JBU has experienced a season of God’s favor and blessing, for which we are grateful. In the last 22 years, JBU has received over $400 million in gifts and grants and has built or renovated over 96% of the university’s facilities. JBU has only about $6 million of total liabilities (under $3 million in long-term bonds) on over $350 million of assets. During that same time, JBU’s endowment has grown from about $50 million to over $230 million, much of it dedicated to scholarships and academic programs and to support maintenance costs for new facilities. This financial strength has enabled JBU to retain excellent faculty and staff with consistent compensation increases and funds for faculty and staff development. JBU has not been not immune to the economic and cultural challenges facing higher education, but it is positioned better than many institutions to respond.

Requirements

Essential Skills and Experience:

• CPA or CMA preferred; with equivalent knowledge and experience in accounting and finance considered
• Demonstrated experience with increasing levels of responsibility commensurate with the role
• Strong communications skills, both oral and written
• Excellent problem-solving skills
   

Education:  Masters of Accountancy, Masters of Business Administration, or equivalent, preferred