Kalamazoo College is seeking an experienced and collaborative Financial Operations Manager to oversee key accounting operations and help ensure the financial stewardship of the institution. This position serves as an important leader within the Finance Office, managing payroll, accounts payable, federal grant accounting, financial reporting, and accounting staff while partnering with departments across campus to support the College’s mission and strategic goals. Join a mission-driven institution where your financial expertise will directly support student success and the educational mission of Kalamazoo College. đź”— Apply via Indeed
In this role, you will:
- Lead and supervise payroll and accounts payable operations.
- Manage employee reimbursements, purchasing cards, vendor payments, and IRS Form 1099 reporting.
- Review payroll transactions, account reconciliations, and annual W-2 processing.
- Prepare and review monthly financial statements, journal entries, and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Oversee fixed asset accounting and monthly bank reconciliations.
- Administer the financial aspects of federal grants, including reporting, cash drawdowns, and compliance.
- Manage ERP system access and general ledger account maintenance.
- Prepare audit schedules and support annual audit activities.
- Serve as a trusted financial resource for faculty, staff, and campus leadership.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen internal controls, and mitigate risk.
You’re a great fit if you have:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Bring at least five years of professional accounting experience and prior supervisory experience.
- Possess strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and account reconciliation.
- Have advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial systems and ERP platforms.
- Are highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented.
- Communicate effectively with both financial and non-financial audiences.
- Thrive in a collaborative environment and are committed to exceptional customer service.
- Value integrity, teamwork, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.
- Have higher education, nonprofit, or federal grant accounting experience (preferred).
Application Instructions
Applicants are asked to upload a resume and cover letter. Completed applications received by August 28, 2026, will receive full consideration, with later applications reviewed as needed until the positions are filled. Compensation will be determined at the time of hire. Indeed-posted compensation is an estimate. The successful candidate will be start at a mutually agreeable time.
Benefits
Kalamazoo College is proud of offer a robust and reliable slate of benefits. A continued goal is to maximize our benefits while minimizing costs to employees, families, and the College.
Medical Insurance
ASR Health Benefits
Choice of two PPO plans with options for single, double, and family coverage. Includes prescription drug benefits. Robust support for behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and chronic condition management.
Employee Health Costs
Dental Insurance
ASR Health Benefits
Includes options for single, double, and family coverage. No network means that any dental provider is permissible.
Employee Dental Costs
Vision Insurance
ASR Health Benefits
Includes options for single, double, and family coverage. No network means that any vision provider is permissible.
Employee Vision Costs
Supplemental Insurance
Unum
Voluntary accident insurance – Employee paid
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance – Employee paid
Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Burnham & Flower
Health Care FSA
Dependent Care FSA
Life Insurance
Unum
Basic life insurance – Employer paid
Voluntary supplemental life insurance – Employee paid
Disability Insurance
Unum
Long- and Short-term disability salary continuation – employer paid
403(b) Retirement Plan
TIAA
With an employer contribution and an employer match
Employee Assistance Program
Behavioral Health Services
Available to all employees and their household members at no cost
Benefits Concierge
Acrisure Benefits Group
Assistance in navigating complex employee benefit situations at no cost
Additional Benefits and Perks
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Intentional community-building efforts
Getting settled information
More Details
Visit our complete Benefits Guide for more information
About Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college known for rigorous academics and offering an integrated undergraduate experience that weaves a traditional liberal arts curriculum into educational experiences in both domestic and international settings with the majority of our graduates participating in study abroad. Kalamazoo College is committed to the liberal arts and sciences, experiential education, freedom of individual conscience and celebration of diversity and inclusion. It is one of the nation’s 100 oldest colleges and universities and a thought leader and innovator in higher education.
The campus of Kalamazoo College is located midway between Chicago and Detroit in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan community of 261,000, which supports multiple college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations and sports teams. Thirty-five miles from Lake Michigan, the area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown, outstanding restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly activities. The city is home to the Kalamazoo Promise, which covers up to 100% tuition and fees at Michigan colleges, universities, and trade schools for graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools.
Kalamazoo College encourages candidates who will contribute to the cultural diversity of the College to apply and to identify themselves if they wish. An equal opportunity employer, Kalamazoo College is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal protection under the law. Please be invited to review our full EEO statement by visiting https://www.kzoo.edu/about/nondiscrimination-policy/. To provide a safe and secure educational environment, Kalamazoo College conducts criminal background reviews on all people who receive an offer of employment. Kalamazoo College is an E-Verify participating employer. Please select Notice and Rights for more information.