General Accounting Manager

General Accounting Manager ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT The General Accounting Manager oversees the accounting department's accounts payable, fixed assets, prepaid expenses and accrual, and general ledger reconciliations. The General Accounting Manager is responsible for ensuring that the organization complies with applicable federal and state laws and rules and regulations that relate to accounts payable, fixed assets and general ledger reconciliations to include tax reporting and various regulatory matters as well as for ensuring compliance with applicable VyStar policies and procedures. The General Accounting Manager assures backup processes are in place for critical functions. The General Accounting Manager provides leadership to a diverse team of employees and serves as operational and technical subject matter expert (SME) and liaison to accounting staff, other VyStar departments and vendors for the job functions that fall within this position description. Serves as primary implementation leader for any system upgrades or replacements within areas of responsibility. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Leadership: Provides seasoned leadership to a diverse team including coaching, mentoring and team development. Works with each direct report to establish clear expectations, goals and objectives for each year, monitors and coaches employees on their progress to enhance the professional development of their staff. Accounts Payable: Directs accounts payable function; works closely with all departments involved in the purchasing and payment process at VyStar to ensure timely and accurate processing of payments to vendors for goods and services. Responsibilities include oversight of annual year-end reporting of payments made to vendors. Fixed Assets: Coordinates with key areas to record capital expenditures and periodic evaluations (i.e. annual inventory) of fixed assets, including external third party, if applicable. Responsibilities include oversight of the capitalization and depreciation of fixed assets and the timely and accurate reporting of fixed assets to internal and external users of the information. Provides guidance and oversight for the proper accounting for various real estate purchase and sales transactions including review of applicable contracts. Reviews contracts, invoices, schedules, and other source documentation to confirm proper accounting treatment, timing of expense recognition, and compliance with internal policies and applicable accounting guidance. General Ledger Reconciliations: Provides oversight regarding general ledger reconciliations to ensure the timeliness and completeness of reconciliations for the entire Credit Union. Drives collaboration with departments outside of accounting that supports the reconciliation process to ensure timeliness and accuracy of reconciliation. Coordinates with Accounting leadership and business partners to resolve outstanding items, strengthen reconciliation documentation, and support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities. Internal Controls: Oversees appropriate testing of internal controls to ensure adequate effectiveness. Identifies areas of concern and weakness and takes appropriate action. Works closely with the Internal Audit Department to ensure that internal controls are appropriate and relevant for general accounting functions. Process Improvement: Identifies and implements process improvement initiatives through analysis of current processes that are either manual or system driven. Works toward streamlining workflows and improving operating efficiency. Implements best practices and identifies opportunities to improve and implement internal controls and policies while maintaining a high level of accuracy. This could include recommending the use of software to improve the current manual process or the upgrade of change of current software to drive efficiency. Support VP Controller and SVP Accounting: Provide overall support and recurring and ad hoc analyses to the VP Controller and SVP Accounting, CFO, senior management and project teams related to tactical and strategic financial decisions as needed. Serves as a key accounting partner to departments across VyStar by providing guidance, research, issue resolution, and support for matters impacting general accounting, accounts payable, fixed assets, prepaids, accruals, reconciliations, and close activities. All employees and business units, as first line of defense, are expected to proactively help identify, assess, manage, and report risks within their domain of work. To enhance a healthy risk culture and support our growth for good pillar, employees will maintain vigilance in safeguarding our operations while ensuring compliance with regulatory mandates. The Risk team serves as the second line of defense by providing risk oversight and credible challenge whereas the Audit team serves as the third line of defense by providing risk assurance. VyStar Excellence: Encourages their Accounting team members to consistently exhibit these behaviors: • Focus: Give your full attention by observing and listening. • Connect: Build rapport by consistently being friendly and approachable. • Understand: Actively listen and ask questions to identify needs. • Counsel: Recommend solutions based on needs and objectives. • Advance: Ask for or assume next step action; verify follow-up. JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES The following knowledge, skills and experience are required for this position: • A strong technician with in-depth knowledge of accounts payable, fixed assets, general ledger reconciliations, prepaids and accruals, close process, and internal controls , as well as regulatory requirements, reporting requirements and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) applicable to these functions. • A broad-based accounting professional who is forward-thinking and who possesses strong technical, managerial, process management and strategic skills. • A strong proficiency in operating concepts, practices and procedures inherent in a multi-billion-dollar financial institution. • High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation. • A minimum of three to five years supervising managers and staff; proven management skills; demonstrated initiative and self-motivated; strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills and able to make sound decisions. • Highly organized and efficient; ability to re-prioritize and work in a fluid, fast-paced environment and to consistently meet deadlines; flexibility to effectively deal with a variety of issues and opportunities. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to tailor and deliver messages at various levels within the organization. • Self-motivated toward success with a strong work ethic; takes ownership of actions and responsibilities; ability to take a stand on difficult issues. • Establishes a high set of accomplishment standards both personally and for their team; a proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and staff to create a result-driven, team-oriented environment. • High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. EDUCATION • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, or related field required. • MBA or Masters of Accountancy preferred. • CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional certification preferred. • Minium of three to five years of progressive accounting or financial services experience required. • Minimum of three years of leadership, supervisory, or team management experience in the accounting department of a financial services organization preferred. • Strong interpersonal, organizational, planning and communication skills required. • Skilled in the use of various software applications to collect data and prepare assorted financial reports. DISCLAIMERS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Nothing in this position description is an implied contract for employment. The position description is intended to be an accurate account of the essential functions. The functions are not all encompassing and are subject to change at any time by management. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. As required or requested, may exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.