Term Assistant Professor/Instructor, Accounting or Finance, and Concentration Director, Financial Planning and Wealth Management

Department: Costello College of Business

Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington and Fairfax, and at George Mason’s global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The college’s AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement, are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development. Learn more at business.gmu.edu.

The Financial Planning and Wealth Management (FPWM) program is one of the eight undergraduate concentrations (majors) offered in the Costello College of Business. Faculty from finance and accounting areas, as well as industry professionals, teach these specialized courses for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a personal Financial Specialist or a Certified Financial Planner. The curriculum is a CFP® Board registered program and students would be eligible to sit for the for CFP® certification upon successful completion of the concentration.

Finance is one of the six areas of the Costello College of Business. Faculty of the Finance Area has leading academic research contributions in the areas of financial markets, real estate, fintech, and more. We are also affiliated with the CFA Institute. For more information visit https://business.gmu.edu/faculty-and-research/academic-areas/finance-area

Accounting is one of the six areas of the Costello College of Business. The Accounting Area has diverse research and teaching interests. We offer a vibrant, ambitious, and collegial research and teaching community. Research is highly valued in the area and at the school. At present, there are 22 full-time faculty members in the area. The Accounting Area faculty have published in many of the premier accounting journals including The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, Contemporary Accounting Research, and Review of Accounting Studies, as well as other top journals.

About the Position:

The Term Assistant Professor/Instructor, Accounting or Finance, teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate programs. Teaches effectively, positively contributes to the academic environment, and provides service to the Accounting or Finance Area, the Costello College of Business, the university, the profession, and interfaces with students and the business community. This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position does not support work visa sponsorship.

The Concentration Director provides oversight to the Financial Planning and Wealth Management Concentration with responsibility for program review and faculty recruitment, student recruitment and outreach, accreditation and assessment, and professional development. The Concentration Director is a member of the College of Business Undergraduate Programs team who work together closely to ensure the vitality and market relevance of the program.

Responsibilities:

Teaches accounting, finance and/or financial planning courses in undergraduate and/or graduate programs. The teaching load for this position is determined according to the college’s workload policy. Additional responsibilities include service to the Accounting or Finance Area, the Costello College of Business, the university, and the profession, such as academic community engagement, student mentoring, committee membership, and interfacing with the business community. 

Concentration Director responsibilities include:

• Works with faculty to ensure the curriculum remains current, meets professional standards, and meets learning goals through assurance of learning processes;
• Assists area chairs and undergraduate team in managing concentration, faculty, and students;
• Participates in and organizes student events for the concentration and undergraduate program;
• Leads interaction with students to ensure satisfaction, understanding of program, CFP certification, and job prospects, and serves as faculty advisor to the Financial Planning Association George Mason University Student Chapter;
• Manages and engages an advisory board of industry leaders who have demonstrated leadership in the financial planning and wealth management space to help plan enrollment growth, build student scholarships and endowed faculty fellowships and support program related activities; and
• Represents FPWM concentration internally and externally. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field;
• The candidate must hold a current certification as a CFP® professional and Masters in Accounting, Finance, Financial Planning, or a closely related field prior to the start of Fall 2025 from an accredited university; or have a PhD in Financial Planning, Accounting, or Finance prior to the start of Fall 2025 from an accredited university;
• CFP® professional certification required if no PhD in Financial Planning, Accounting, or Finance;
• Ability to teach FPWM, Accounting and/or Finance courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels; and
• Collegiality and ability to work well with colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• PhD in Accounting or Finance from an AACSB accredited university;
• University teaching experience in accounting, finance, and/or financial planning in both face-to-face and online modalities;
• Professional experience as a CFP® professional;
• Experience managing advisory boards;
• Experience managing undergraduate or graduate programs, majors, or concentrations; and
• Preferred additional professional certification in accounting or finance area (e.g., CPA, CIA, CMA, CISA, CFA).

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Term Assistant Professor/Instructor, Accounting or Finance, and Concentration Director, Financial Planning and Wealth Management at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional and/or academic references with contact information, and provide a letter of intent (summarizing credentials, related experience, and interest), CV, and summaries of recent teaching evaluations.

Posting Open Date:  March 11, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  April 1, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes