Financial Systems Administrator

A challenging, growth potential opportunity with one of the premier organizations in the Inland Northwest has just become available. Ambassadors Group Inc. and Ambassador Programs, Inc. (dba People to People Ambassador Programs) now has an exciting opportunity for an ambitious financial professional. Due to rapid growth demands, the organization is seeking the right candidate to fill the position of Financial Systems Administrator. People to People Ambassador Programs is an educational travel organization that embodies the mission set forth by the founder of People to People, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, to "promote peace through understanding" between individual citizens of the world. Through People to People Ambassador Programs, delegates connect directly with the culture and heritage of a destination through interactive experiences and adventures.The organization is headquartered in Spokane, Washington and is planning a brand new state of the art campus style facility that will be occupied in early 2007. Ambassadors Group Inc is a publicly traded organization on the NASDAQ National Market (ticker symbol: EPAX).
Basic Purpose:The Financial Systems Administrator is responsible for providing functional support for all financial applications including the accounting, reporting, billing, print production cost tracking, fixed assets, stock option tracking and payroll systems. This position is responsible for coordinating support, interface development and upgrades of all these systems.Organizational Relationship:The Financial Systems Administrator will support the finance and accounting staff, and will interact regularly with the Information Technology staff. This position will have minimal contact with delegates, but will interact regularly with our software application vendors (partners) to keep informed of upgrades and attend user conferences and/or informational summits as they occur.Duties & Responsibilities:1.Provide functional support and administration for all financial applications including the accounting, reporting, billing, print production cost tracking, fixed assets, stock option tracking and payroll systems.2.Attend user conferences and maintain regular communication with application providers to stay informed of upgrades, patches, etc…3.Coordinate and manage all application upgrades as necessary.4.Departmental liaison with I/T staff on all technical matters relating to financial applications.5.Create and manage standardized financial reports for monthly/quarterly/yearly publication and presentation.6. Assist and train users on creation of ad hoc reports to aid them with their analytical job responsibilities.7. Strategize with Controller and CFO on long term informational reporting goals and business intelligence.8.Stay current with all financial application industry developments and report to senior finance management with regular updates.Education and Experience Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance and/or Information Systems3-5 Years technical experience in a similar financial systems support role
Cognos experience preferred
Accounting degree and experience preferred
Demonstrated experience in developing financial system projects across all phases of the project life cycle, along with experience creating project plans for small to large projects
Demonstrated knowledge of project management methods and best practices
Excellent communication skills
Strong analytical skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with all levels within an organization
The ability to adapt to a dynamic, rapidly changing business and technicalenvironmentMust pay exceptional attention to detail
Environmental Factors:Work is performed in a well-lighted work-station area, with materials and equipment for essential job functions at hand. The incumbent is seated most of the day and performs duties requiring close attention to detail. Interruptions are common and frequent.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance and/or Information Systems3-5 Years technical experience in a similar financial systems support role
Cognos experience preferred
Accounting degree and experience preferred
Demonstrated experience in developing financial system projects across all phases of the project life cycle, along with experience creating project plans for small to large projects
Demonstrated knowledge of project management methods and best practices
Excellent communication skills
Strong analytical skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with all levels within an organization
The ability to adapt to a dynamic, rapidly changing business and technicalenvironmentMust pay exceptional attention to detail