Senior Manager, Accounting Operations - CSU Chancellor's Office

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced accounting leader to help shape a newly aligned financial services team focused on supporting the Chancellor's Office's internal financial operations—not systemwide finances for CSU's 23 campuses. If you're an accounting leader with experience in fund accounting, governmental accounting, higher education, or another complex accounting environment—and you enjoy developing teams, improving processes, and delivering exceptional customer service—we'd love to connect!

At a glance:

• Lead an established team of nine accounting professionals, including two direct-report managers, overseeing general accounting, accounts payable, internal controls, and month-end/year-end close.
• Shape a newly aligned function dedicated to serving the Chancellor's Office's internal financial needs, with the opportunity to strengthen processes, accountability, and service delivery.
• Make customer service a priority by building strong relationships with Chancellor's Office departments and improving the financial support they receive.
• Drive modernization and efficiencies through process improvements, technology adoption, automation, and data-driven reporting.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing team while partnering closely with senior finance leadership.
• Enjoy a hybrid schedule with three days onsite at the Long Beach Chancellor's Office and two days remote.

Description: What you'll be doing:

Another Source's client, California State University (CSU), Office of the Chancellor, is recruiting a Senior Manager, Accounting Operations to join their team in Long Beach, California. This position oversees the internal accounting functions of the Chancellor's Office specifically, rather than accounting operations across the CSU system. Internally, this position is titled Senior Manager, Fiscal Services. 

Here's a little about the California State University Office of the Chancellor: 

The California State University is one of the nation's largest and most influential public university systems, serving students across 23 campuses throughout California. With a mission centered on expanding access to high-quality education, advancing student success, and strengthening communities, CSU plays a vital role in developing California's workforce and creating opportunities for future generations. 

 

Located in Long Beach, the CSU Office of the Chancellor serves as the administrative headquarters for the university system, providing leadership, coordination, and operational support to its campuses. Like any large organization, the Chancellor's Office has its own internal financial operations, accounting processes, and reporting responsibilities. The Fiscal Services team is responsible for supporting these Chancellor's Office-specific financial activities, ensuring accurate accounting, strong internal controls, and responsive service to its departments. 

 

Learn more about CSU: https://www.calstate.edu/ 

 

About this role: 

The CSU Office of the Chancellor has recently realigned its financial operations with a clear goal: providing more focused, responsive, and effective financial services to its internal Chancellor's Office staff and departments. 

 

As part of this change, financial responsibilities specific to the Chancellor's Office have been brought together into a dedicated Fiscal Services unit, while systemwide financial responsibilities remain within other areas of the organization. This creates a more focused structure, allowing the Fiscal Services team to prioritize the needs of its internal customers and continuously improve the services they rely on. 

The Senior Manager, Accounting Operations will lead this newly aligned function, overseeing the Chancellor's Office's own accounting and financial operations – not financial operations or reporting for CSU's 23 campuses. 

 

Reporting to the Senior Director, Assistant Controller, you'll oversee general accounting, accounts payable, billing, cashiering, and financial reporting for the Chancellor's Office. You'll lead an established team of nine accounting professionals, including two direct-report managers and seven indirect reports. 

This is an opportunity for a financial leader who values both technical excellence and exceptional customer service. You'll have the chance to strengthen team collaboration, streamline processes, enhance internal controls, and help define what outstanding financial service looks like for the Chancellor's Office. 

 

How You Will Spend Your Time 

Fiscal Services Leadership & Financial Operations (75%) 

• Lead and develop the Chancellor's Office Fiscal Services and Accounts Payable teams, establishing clear priorities, expectations, and a culture of accountability, collaboration, and exceptional customer service. 

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to two managers and seven additional accounting professionals. 

• Oversee the Chancellor's Office's daily accounting operations, including accounts payable, general accounting, billing, cashiering, and related financial activities. 

• Direct monthly and annual financial close processes for the Chancellor's Office, ensuring accurate, timely reporting and effective coordination with internal finance and budget teams. 

• Partner with department managers to develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices that strengthen internal controls, safeguard assets, and support compliance with CSU policies and accounting standards. 

• Oversee internal audits related to assigned Chancellor's Office financial operations and support the resolution of audit findings. 

• Evaluate customer satisfaction feedback and identify opportunities to improve service delivery, responsiveness, and operational effectiveness. 

• Collaborate with Chancellor's Office departments and external partners to resolve complex financial matters while maintaining strong working relationships. 

• Keep the Assistant Controller informed of departmental performance, emerging challenges, and key operational decisions. 

Collaboration, Training & Customer Support (15%) 

• Serve as a trusted financial resource to Chancellor's Office departments, providing guidance on accounting practices, accounts payable processes, and financial systems. 

• Develop and deliver training for Chancellor's Office employees on financial policies, procedures, and system updates. 

• Promote available training resources and encourage consistent, effective financial practices across internal departments. 

• Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, creating a service-oriented environment that supports the operational needs of the Chancellor's Office. 

Process Improvement, Technology & Special Projects (10%) 

• Identify opportunities to streamline internal financial processes, reduce manual work, and improve operational efficiency. 

• Develop performance metrics and productivity indicators to measure accuracy, turnaround times, and service effectiveness within Fiscal Services and Accounts Payable. 

• Champion digital solutions, automation, and data-driven reporting tools that modernize the Chancellor's Office's financial operations. 

• Lead special projects and support the Assistant Controller with strategic and operational initiatives. 

 

What's in it for you: 

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $125,000–$135,000, depending on experience and qualifications. 

 

Additional highlights include: 

• Hybrid work arrangement: Three days onsite at the Long Beach Chancellor's Office and two days remote, with Wednesday's being a required day. 

• The opportunity to lead a newly aligned Fiscal Services unit designed specifically to better serve Chancellor's Office staff and departments. 

• Direct ownership of internal financial operations, with the ability to shape service delivery, strengthen processes, and build a customer-focused team culture. 

• Opportunities to introduce technology-driven efficiencies and measurable service improvements. 

• A collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and cross-functional partnership. 

 

Why a Career with CSU is for You: 

The CSU system offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet you where you're at in life and typically adds 30–35% to your total compensation package.  

 

For more information on programs available, take a closer look in the Employee Benefits Summary: 
https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf 

• Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance with ample PTO and flexibility, including up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group/services).  

• Enjoy vibrant campus communities with access to athletic and recreation facilities, sporting events, cultural performances, and renowned speakers.  

• Numerous professional development opportunities, including tuition waivers for yourself, a spouse, registered domestic partner, or eligible dependent child across any of the 23 CSU campuses.  

• Choice of CalPERS Retirement Plan or 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan.  

• Comprehensive medical benefits designed to support every stage of life.  

• Pre-tax commuter benefits to help offset transportation costs.  

 

Background Check 

The Chancellor's Office requires the successful candidate to complete a full background check, including a criminal records check, prior to employment. 

 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The California State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment and does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal and state law. 

 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

 

 

 

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