Adjunct Instructor -Financial Accounting

Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Employment Type: Part-Time, Adjunct Faculty
Instructional Format: Hybrid and Online Graduate Courses

Position Summary

Global University Systems (GUS) is an international education group that empowers students to transform their lives through education. We believe education drives careers, lives, and society forward, enabling a brighter and more sustainable future for all.  Our institutions offer the broadest range of industry-relevant skills through inclusive, accessible and digital-first learning.  We offer a choice of career-enhancing certificates, degrees and post-graduate level qualifications, equipping our thriving multi-national community of students for lifelong success.  Our world-leading network and state-of-the-art institutions power the upskilling of our students worldwide.

Avila University Arizona is seeking a dedicated and qualified Adjunct Instructor in Accounting to join our graduate faculty in Goodyear, Arizona.

The successful candidate will primarily teach AC 601 – Financial Accounting for Decision Making, a graduate-level course designed to develop students' understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and the use of financial information in business decision-making.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background in accounting, substantial professional experience in financial accounting or related business functions, and a passion for teaching and mentoring adult learners in accelerated graduate programs.

Successful candidates will be considered for inclusion in our adjunct faculty pool. Teaching assignments will be determined based on course availability, enrollment, and institutional needs.

Primary Teaching Assignment

This graduate-level course introduces essential accounting concepts and procedures that support effective organizational decision-making. The course emphasizes the preparation, interpretation, and analysis of accounting information to evaluate organizational performance and inform management decisions.

Faculty should be prepared to teach topics including:

• Fundamental financial accounting principles and concepts

• Accounting transactions and the accounting cycle

• Preparation and interpretation of financial statements

• Financial reporting and accounting standards

• Analysis of financial information for business decision-making

• Financial performance evaluation and organizational effectiveness

• The role of accounting information across business functions

• Ethical considerations and the impact of globalization on accounting practices

• Practical applications of accounting through real-world business cases

The instructor is expected to connect accounting theory with contemporary business practices, helping graduate students develop analytical, critical-thinking, and financial decision-making skills applicable to management and leadership roles.

Responsibilities

Instruction & Delivery

• Deliver high-quality graduate-level accounting instruction through online and hybrid formats, incorporating in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous learning activities.

• Apply effective teaching strategies appropriate for accelerated graduate programs and adult learners with diverse professional and academic backgrounds.

• Explain complex financial accounting concepts clearly and demonstrate their practical application to organizational decision-making.

• Incorporate real-world financial statements, business cases, accounting scenarios, and financial analysis exercises into instruction.

• Develop and facilitate engaging learning activities that strengthen students' accounting knowledge, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.

• Assess student performance through assignments, examinations, case studies, and other appropriate evaluation methods.

Mentorship & Student Support

• Provide timely, constructive feedback on student assignments and assessments.

• Support students with varying levels of prior accounting knowledge.

• Assist students in developing confidence in interpreting financial information and applying accounting principles.

• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment that encourages critical thinking and professional development.

Collaboration & Coordination

• Collaborate with academic leadership and other faculty members to ensure course delivery aligns with approved curriculum, learning outcomes, and institutional academic standards.

• Communicate regularly with the Academic Department regarding student progress, instructional needs, and course-related concerns.

• Participate in faculty meetings, onboarding, and professional development activities as required.

• Contribute recommendations for improving accounting instruction based on industry practices and student learning needs.

Professional Development

• Maintain current knowledge of financial accounting standards, regulatory developments, and contemporary accounting practices.

• Engage in professional development related to graduate teaching, instructional technologies, and assessment strategies.

• Incorporate relevant industry developments and professional accounting practices into course instruction.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate and timely records of student grades, attendance, and academic performance in the university's learning management system.

• Submit grades, attendance, and other required academic documentation according to institutional deadlines.

• Ensure compliance with university academic policies, procedures, and accreditation requirements.

• Participate in course assessment and continuous improvement activities as requested.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in Accounting, Business Administration with an Accounting concentration, or a closely related field. A Master's degree in Accounting or a closely related field, combined with 10 or more years of significant professional accounting experience, may be considered in lieu of a doctorate.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in financial accounting, corporate accounting, financial reporting, auditing, financial management, or a closely related field.

• Strong knowledge of financial accounting principles, financial statement preparation and analysis, and the use of accounting information in business decision-making.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical accounting concepts clearly to students with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

• Strong communication, organizational, collaboration, and time-management skills.

• Ability to deliver effective instruction using online and hybrid teaching technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or an equivalent recognized professional accounting credential.

• Previous teaching, training, or adjunct faculty experience at the undergraduate or graduate level.

• Experience teaching accounting or financial management to MBA students or adult professionals.

• Professional experience in corporate finance, financial reporting, auditing, controllership, or management accounting.

• Familiarity with accounting software, financial reporting technologies, and spreadsheet-based financial analysis.

• Experience using Canvas or a comparable learning management system.

• Experience developing practical accounting exercises, financial statement analysis assignments, and case-based learning activities.

Terms of Employment

Employment Classification: Adjunct Faculty
FLSA Status: Exempt

Teaching assignments are subject to institutional needs, course availability, enrollment, and faculty qualifications. Instruction may include online and scheduled on-campus components at the Goodyear, Arizona location.

Additional Position Requirements

Communication: Maintains professional communication with university faculty, staff, students, and external constituents. Uses institutional technology effectively in the performance of assigned duties.

Reasoning Ability: Demonstrates the ability to solve practical problems, interpret financial and academic information, analyze data, and exercise independent judgment when addressing instructional challenges.

Language Skills: Must be able to read, write, understand, and communicate effectively in English. Must demonstrate the ability to explain accounting concepts, interpret professional and academic materials, and provide clear written and verbal feedback.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Duties may involve sitting, standing, moving within an office or classroom environment, using a computer and keyboard, reading instructional materials, and communicating in person or through video technology. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment: Work may be performed in classroom, office, and remote instructional environments. The typical noise level in the workplace is moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other Skills/Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. Demonstrates professionalism, independent problem-solving abilities, and sound academic judgment.

Evaluation: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Avila University policies and applicable adjunct faculty expectations.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The information contained in this description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Avila University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, tenure, disability or any other factors that cannot be lawfully considered in its programs and activities as required by all applicable laws and regulations.

The information contained in this job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on institutional needs.

Avila University reserves the right at any time, with or without notice, to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job positions, or assign additional responsibilities.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue for the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish you every success in your job search.

GUS is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

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