Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting

About the Department:

Provide fiscal services to the university, promoting financial best practices, forming strategic partnerships, establishing efficient systems, and pursuing continuous improvement. Create and maintain a sustainable financial framework and strong internal controls to promote sound fiscal management, careful stewardship of university resources, and accountability. Foster innovation to support George Mason's overall mission by employing new methods to deliver financial services and collaborating on process improvements and new initiatives. Provide accurate and timely financial data to ensure comprehensive reporting, compliance, and analysis to enable strategic decision-making.

About the Position:

The Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting, is responsible for cost accounting and federal rate development, financial analysis, and internal controls. Position objectives are to prepare the triennial federal facilities and administrative (F&A) cost proposal, coordinate activities related to the university’s recharge committee, review and support the annual fringe benefit proposal, work across the university on cost allocation models, and lead the Universities ARMICS program. This position will work collaboratively with key stakeholders on efforts that align with the needs and mission of the University. This role may support financial data analysis, provide strategic insights to support business decisions within the Controller’s office, and provide leadership support and guidance on assigned fiscal initiatives and projects. The ideal candidate has a strong background in cost accounting principles, compliance mandates, financial modeling, and data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the University’s ARMICS and internal control program, including oversight of the outsourced ARMICS provider, risk-based control assessments and testing, development and maintenance of audit narratives and internal control documentation, reporting of deficiencies, and monitoring of corrective actions to support compliance with Commonwealth of Virginia requirements;
• Leads the University’s triennial Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate proposal process, including oversight of the external consultant, coordination of data collection, financial analysis and modeling, and review of the proposal for reasonableness and accuracy prior to submission to ONR;
• Reviews the annual fringe benefit proposal and supports related DCAA audits;
• Provides analysis on regulatory and institutional impacts and supports University-wide cost allocation methodologies;
• Provides leadership and oversight for the University’s recharge program, including policy compliance, annual rate reviews, establishment of new recharge activities, cost allocation methodologies, and external rates and related tax considerations;
• Coordinates Recharge Committee activities, provides guidance to units on rate development and federal compliance, and collaborates with various offices across the university: Office of Sponsored Programs, Budget and Planning, Tax, etc.;
• Provides input and simulates complex financial models to support forecasting, budgeting, and strategic decision-making initiatives;
• Supports and works alongside other teams within Fiscal Services, as directed by supervisor, Associate Vice President and Controller, and Finance leadership on assigned fiscal projects/initiatives;
• Support may include accounting reconciliations, fiscal year-end close activities, documentation review and/or preparation, research, policy and procedure reviews/documentation, manage invoicing and reporting for state-funded sponsored projects;
• May also interface and collaborates on efforts with Fiscal Services customers across the University; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Generally, 5 - 10 years of progressively responsible accounting, auditing, or financial analysis experience;
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements and/or Auditing Standards;
• Familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance, F&A (Facilities & Administrative) rate development, fringe benefit proposals, and recharge center compliance;
• Understanding of COSO Framework (or other internal control framework), risk assessments, control design, and audit trail documentation;
• Advanced skills in Excel, ERP systems (e.g., Banner), and data visualization tools (e.g., MicroStrategy, Power BI);
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to draft reports, internal audit narratives, and policy documents clearly and accurately; and
• High attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Generally, 5+ years of fiscal management, internal controls/COSO Framework, compliance experience with demonstrated exposure to F&A rate proposals, and recharge center management;
• Progressively responsible accounting, auditing, or financial analysis experience in a higher education or government environment;
• Strong experience in cost modeling, activity-based costing, and cost allocation frameworks;
• Understanding of DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) audits, and internal control standards; and
• Ability to balance analytical depth with practical implementation of fiscal policies.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Director, Financial Analysis & Cost Management Accounting at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent and Resume for a review.

Posting Open Date: November 10, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 24, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes