Job Description Summary

The Assistant Athletic Director, Business Operations, is responsible for a broad range of accounting and business operations functions within the Department of Athletics’ Business Office. This position analyzes financial results, supports transactional accounting activities, performs account reconciliations, assists with annual budget preparation and forecasting, coordinates external required financial reporting including interaction with both internal and external audit teams, collaborates with other members of the Business Office on internal reporting and develops and implements improvements and efficiencies to operational processes and procedures including the use of AI as appropriate.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

• Prepares and analyzes internal reports for Athletics, including monthly financial statements, gift funds, compensation, and other needed reports.

• Develops an understanding of the Athletics business model and applies this knowledge to evaluate financial results to assist in preparing the Athletics financial forecast and ad hoc analyses on a periodic basis. 

• Assists in monitoring financial results for all revenue and expense items and collaborates with Business Office personnel to identify and investigate financial variances.

• Orchestrates all activities associated with the preparation and submission of the annual EADA and NCAA reports and serves as the primary Athletics point of contact for the year-end audit conducted by internal audit and the independent accounting firm.

• Prepares financial analyses and findings for the Athletics CFO and others within Athletics.

• Collaborates with the University Budget Office to understand the various budget systems and initiates Athletics’ operating and capital budget inputs and forecasts into the University budgeting software; prepares formal reconciliations and detail analyses as needed.

• Develops relationships with appropriate personnel within each sport to educate and assist in budget management and become a trusted resource for that sport. 

• Prepares slide decks and presentation materials for Board of Trustees meetings in collaboration with the Athletics CFO.

• Reviews and processes financial documents to ensure transactions are accurate and complete, comply with acceptable accounting standards, and adhere to University, Conference, and NCAA policies and procedures.

• Assists with the monthly processing and reconciliation of student-athlete licensing payments and seeks opportunities to improve associated processes.

• Assists with various accounting functions including preparing journal entries, departmental transfers, accounting adjustments, account reconciliations and other financial transactions on behalf of the Athletics Department.

• Makes recommendations in the formulation and direction of fiscal policies and procedures.

• Formulates and implements creative solutions for non-routine financial issues and projects. Utilizes technology, including AI, to better automate manual processes.

• Remains current and complies with all applicable University, Atlantic Coast Conference and NCAA rules and regulations.

• Assists with the approval of invoices, purchase orders, and expense reports for payment in accordance with University policies.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Experience and Training

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration and at least five years of accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Experience in public accounting and the CPA designation strongly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and proven skills in accounting.

• Passion for intercollegiate athletics and responding to the rapidly changing operational environment within Wake Forest Athletics, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the NCAA.

• Proven experience in supervising and delegating tasks to staff. 

• Proven experience in problem solving, working independently, multi-tasking, approaching each task in an organized and disciplined manner and meeting deadlines.

• Proven skills in budget preparation and management.

• Ability to prepare financial statements and financial analysis as needed along with interpreting the statements and analysis.

• Proven ability to interact and work with a variety of employees at various levels with varying financial acumen.

• Knowledge of auditing policies, standards, and procedures.

• Knowledge of accounts receivable and accounts payable procedures and practices.

• Ability to demonstrate effective communication skills both orally and in writing.

• Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural questions.

• Ability to prepare presentations to communicate important financial matters.

• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.

• Ability to organize workflow and coordinate activities with the University accounting team.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

• Ability to solve problems and adapt to changes quickly and positively.

• Proficiency in Windows applications.

• Excellent work ethic along with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Supervise Accounts Payable liaison to Athletics.