Enterprise Accounting & Governance Director

Job Description

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, analytical, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:

• Financial Stewardship & Operations 

• Institutional Analytics & Decision Support

• Policy, Planning & State Operations

• University Business Services

The Enterprise Accounting & Governance Director serves as the University’s lead authority on institutional accounting practices, providing expert guidance to campus stakeholders and central offices on complex financial matters. This role ensures the integrity and compliance of external regulatory reporting, including federal disclosures and audits, while also overseeing internal control frameworks such as Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting (ICOFR). By interpreting and implementing evolving regulatory standards such as GASB, GAAP, Uniform Guidance, and Washington State Administrative & Accounting Manual (SAAM)—the director ensures that institutional accounting policies remain current, accurate, and aligned with best practices.

Additionally, the Director provides strategic oversight of the Controller’s Office Accounting Support & FDM Governance team, ensuring alignment with institutional reporting needs and governance standards. This team serves as the primary point of engagement for campus stakeholders for the Controller’s Office, handling inquiries, resolving complex accounting issues, and delivering guidance to units across the institution.
 

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy Development

The Enterprise Accounting & Governance Director serves as the institution’s principal authority on accounting practices, delivering strategic guidance and expert oversight to campus stakeholders and central administrative units on complex financial matters.

• Develops and communicates a clear vision for institutional accounting operations, aligning team goals with broader university priorities

• Leads the design and implementation of enterprise-wide financial control frameworks (e.g., ICOFR), ensuring long-term compliance and risk mitigation

• Integrates unit-level priorities into institutional financial strategy, balancing decentralized needs with central governance

• Advises senior leadership on programmatic direction, regulatory changes, and strategic growth opportunities across financial operations

• Champions continuous improvement initiatives that modernize accounting systems, streamline workflows, and enhance data-driven decision-making

Leadership / Team Management

Provide leadership and manage the Accounting Support & FDM Governance team, in addition to two Senior Accountants. 

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Enterprise Accounting & Governance team

• Works with a diverse group of individuals to create an inclusive environment and culture

• Creates and manages the budget of the Enterprise Accounting & Governance team with discretionary authority

• Manages a team of professionals who will lead institutional accounting practices, providing expert guidance to campus stakeholders and central offices on complex financial matters

• Leads Accounting, Compliance & Governance’s (ACG) Enterprise Accounting & Governance team, including guidance and oversight of projects and workflow, and general project timelines 

• Responsible for management, staff development, career enrichment, and training

Program Development/Management

• Oversees resolution of accounting-related tickets and inquiries. Acts as an escalation point for complex accounting issues and transactions, working with relevant institutional partners as needed to resolve

• Leads initiatives to update and maintain the institutional accounting policy manual, aligning with best practices and regulatory changes

• Creates and maintains a system for collecting, evaluating, and incorporating customer feedback across ACG

• Work with ACG’s Education & Outreach team to develop and deliver training materials and documentation to guide units on proper accounting practices

• Develops and implements the ICOFR strategic plan to strengthen institutional financial controls

• Drives continuous improvement in accounting systems and processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and risk mitigation

Administration

• Ensures training and cross training on business processes and systems

• Other duties as assigned

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