Managing Director of Accounting

Job Function: The Managing Director of Accounting provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of the NCAA’s accounting operations. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, managing treasury operations, and administering the NCAA’s revenue distribution plan. The position plays a critical role in driving process improvements, implementing innovative solutions, and serving as a trusted advisor to finance and business leaders across the organization.

Job Responsibilities:

Financial Ownership

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the NCAA’s accounting operations, including internal controls, compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reviews.

• Direct the preparation and delivery of financial statements, audits (Association-wide and benefit plans), and required financial reports.

• Manage treasury operations in partnership with banking and investment providers.

• Administer and oversee the NCAA’s Division I membership revenue distribution plan, including Division I, Division II, supplemental distributions, and related auditing/reporting requirements.

• Coordinate and administer all tax compliance activities, including W-2s, 1099s, and the annual IRS Form 990.
  

Education & Change Management

• Provide education and guidance to membership institutions on financial reporting standards, annual surveys, and agreed-upon procedures related to revenues, expenses, and capital expenditures.

• Oversee risk management activities, including the Association’s insurance captives and related programs. Collaborate closely with the Director of Insurance to identify financial impact and communicate risks and opportunities to FP&A for planning purposes.
  

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Champion process improvements and financial system enhancements that streamline operations, strengthen controls, and improve efficiency.

• Develop robust process documentation for critical tasks, including dependencies and key controls, while identifying opportunities for improvement and automation.

• Drive an effective financial close process by leveraging key reporting technology that allows for robust financial statement reviews and proactive engagement with internal stakeholders
  

Strategic Support

• Act as a strategic advisor to finance and business stakeholders, delivering insights and recommendations that inform decision-making.

• Serve as the budget owner for accounting and provide financial planning support as needed for financial modeling efforts.

• Lead or support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
  

Team Development & Culture

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to the accounting team, ensuring clear goals, ongoing development, and performance management.

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within accounting and across the organization.
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field required.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.

• 8 years of accounting or related financial experience required, 10+ years preferred.

• Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance.

• Proven track record of driving process improvements and implementing innovative accounting solutions.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.

• Strong business acumen and understanding of organizational dynamics.

• Ability to thrive in complex, fast-moving, and ambiguous environments.

• Resilient, adaptable, and energized by driving positive change.

• Estimated travel: less than 10%.

• This position is based at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, Indiana. The current work environment is hybrid: 3 days in-office, 2 days remote.
  

Job Competencies:

• Effective Communication | Can exchange ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is understood with clarity and purpose.

• Drive for Results | Can be counted on to consistently accomplish work effectively and efficiently, is very bottom-line oriented, steadfastly pushes self and others for results.

• Motivating Others | Creates a climate in which people want to do their best, can motivate many kinds of direct reports and team or project members, can assess each person's hot button and use it to get the best out of him/her, pushes tasks and decisions down, empowers others, invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility, makes each individual feel his/her work is important, is someone people like working for and with.

• Attention to Detail | Allocates cognitive resources to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks, no matter how small or large.

• Accountability | Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
  

Core Values

• LEADERSHIP| We actively listen and continually strive to provide vital solutions, counsel and advocacy for student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics.

• INCLUSION| We seek and incorporate different perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and impact.

• COMMUNICATION| We commit to an environment of openness to build trust and make timely decisions.

• COLLABORATION| We work together, based on mutual respect, to lead and serve our stakeholders.

• ACCOUNTABILITY| We take ownership for our actions and results to add value every day.