Job Description

Director, Professional Accounting Programs

Primary Purpose:

To provide strategic leadership and assist with the development, management, marketing, promotion, and overall success of professional accounting programs at the Edwards School of Business. The most notable at present is the Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program - one of the pre-eminent graduate professional accounting degree programs in Canada and the first one of its kind in Western Canada. Program responsibilities include, but are not limited to, implementation of academic policies, and evaluation of strategies for student recruitment/retention and management of the admissions process.

Nature of Work:

Reporting to the Department Head of Accounting and the Associate Dean, Research, Graduate Programs & Faculty Relations, the Director of Professional Accounting Programs works in conjunction with committees comprised of professionally and academically qualified faculty, primarily from the Department of Accounting, as well as external stakeholders, such as alumni, employers, the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB), CPA Saskatchewan, CPA Canada, and other members of the professional accounting community. This position exercises judgment, decision making, and problem solving and provides leadership to foster a strong professional relationship among faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. This individual will manage the development and delivery of student service initiatives. The position is situated in a student-centered, service-oriented environment, and the person in the position will be subject to competing interests, multiple projects, and tight deadlines. This person gives presentations to a variety of audiences. Some provincial and national travel will be expected.

This position is responsible for ensuring the continued success of all professional accounting programs within the Edwards School of Business; developing strategic initiatives which will ensure that Edwards has a sustainable competitive advantage in delivering quality accounting programs.

Accountabilities:

Strategic Planning

• Direct the strategic planning process for all current and future professional accounting programs at Edwards
• Develop strategic objectives for the programs
• Manage program accreditation requirements with professional accounting bodies;
• Prepare reports on the programs\' progress, including the achievement of strategic objectives;
• Prepare guidelines for the evaluation and coordination of programs and services;
• Direct student-related recruitment, admissions, retention and advising services within the programs;
• Manage Department of Accounting initiatives including, but not limited to, the Edwards Volunteer Tax Preparation Program, semiannual accounting boot camps, annual \xe2\x80\x9cwelcome to the accounting major\xe2\x80\x9d annual celebration, and Edwards Advanced Accounting Case initiative.

Financial and Resource Management

• Provide responsible stewardship of program financial resources, by analyzing budget information and effectively administering budget allocations, revenues and expenditures;
• Work with the Associate Dean to prepare and debrief the annual budget for the professional accounting programs.

People Leadership

• Successfully recruit, lead, and retain a high performing, motivated, and committed professional and support staff in a unionized environment;
• Interact effectively with other areas in the School, including but not limited to participating in relevant committees such as co-chairing the MPAcc Committee, thereby ensuring all stakeholders are consulted and represented where necessary on important matters affecting the programs;
• Supervise, support and encourage the MPAcc Office personnel including individuals who directly report to the Director of Professional Accounting Programs.

Recruitment, Retention, and Operations

• Participate in the strategic direction of recruiting policies; develop, implement and evaluate recruiting strategies to enhance the national appeal of the professional accounting programs;
• Ensure the needs of the applicants are being met, by effectively organizing workflow and identifying process improvements;Advise on and assist in the coordination of a marketing communications and recruitment strategy;
• plan and organize events relating to the program;
• Monitor and direct admissions process; review other competitive programs and evaluate comparable admissions standards;
• Liaise with the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies to ensure all relevant policies and procedures are being adhered to by the programs;
• Work with the MPAcc committee to develop and manage MPAcc-specific policies and procedures;
• Liaise with the Director of Graduate Programs, the Director of Undergraduate Programs and other Edwards School of Business administrative staff as necessary for successful program administration;
• Participate in the Assurance of Learning committee and oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting of outcomes related to professional accounting programs;
• Ensure strong partnership is maintained with CPA Western School of Business through maintaining interpersonal relationships with key stakeholders in their organization;
• Ensure other organizations responsible for Canadian CPA education are aware of the program and work with them to develop potential partnerships;
• Liaise with the professional accounting bodies throughout Canada;
• Ensure an active relationship exists with Alumni including fundraising initiatives in coordination with the Accounting Center;
• Manage the process for marking within the MPAcc program;
• Ensure a high level of program satisfaction by all students; monitoring whether the programs delivered on the expected outcomes;
• Develop, implement and evaluate retention strategies to enhance the student experience;
• Ensure that the needs of current students are being met, by organizing workflow, identifying process improvements, and supporting and advising students through their program;
• Assist with operational activities, which includes development of the MPAcc academic timetable, recruitment of faculty instructors in coordination with the Department Head of Accounting, processes regarding convocation, program planning analysis and awards administration;
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

Education: Minimum of a Master\'s degree (MPAcc preferred) and a Canadian Professional Accounting Designation (CPA required).

Experience:

• Knowledge of the CPA Education program and the certification process for achieving the CPA designation
• Knowledge of University of Saskatchewan programs and services, and experience working in a unionized environment would be assets.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Skills:

• Ability to work independently, and collaboratively within a team and the structures of collegial processes of the Edwards School of Business and the University of Saskatchewan
• Possess creative thinking, problem-solving, and intercultural competencies;
• Effective interpersonal, leadership and communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Demonstrated vision, initiative, and discretion
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and support staff; effective organizational skills, coupled with the ability to work on multiple projects with competing demands to meet deadlines
• Proven Microsoft Office application skills
• Demonstrated responsiveness and innovation in addressing user needs

Department: Edwards School of Business
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $81,037.00 - 134,978.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Managerial
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3
Posted Date: 8/29/2023
Closing Date: 9/11/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where \'Yes\' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver\'s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

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