Controller

## Description

Position Purpose

• Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for the leadership and management
• of the University's accounting, treasury, financial reporting, and business systems functions. The Controller
• ensures the integrity of financial information, maintains effective internal controls, and provides timely
• and accurate financial reporting to support institutional decision-making. The Controller partners closely
• with campus leadership to enhance business processes, strengthen financial stewardship, and advance the
• strategic goals of the University

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees the daily operations of accounting and financial administration, including accounts receivable,

• student accounts, accounts payable, general ledger, treasury operations, endowment accounting, and
• financial business systems. Provides guidance and support to a team of specialists in carrying out these
• functions. Responsible for management functions such as hiring, performance management, coaching
• and feedback.

• Implements and maintains the financial business systems, including modules for general ledger, fixed

• assets, budget, endowments, accounts receivable and accounts payable. In conjunction with this maintains
• the general ledger chart of accounts in accordance with GAAP and higher education industry practices.

• Oversees grants accounting and compliance activities, ensuring proper accounting, reporting, and

stewardship of restricted federal, state, and private grant funds.

• Assists with debt compliance, covenant reporting, and preparation of information required by lenders,

rating agencies, and other external stakeholders.

• Works closely with leadership in campus departments to establish priorities for improving and enhancing

• financial systems and processes. Establishes university-wide training for financial tools and processes to
• support effective and efficient solutions.

• Assists the Chief Financial Officer in the preparation and monitoring of the annual operating and capital

budgets and supports multi-year financial forecasting and scenario analysis.

• Develops and maintains financial reports, dashboards, and business intelligence tools that provide

meaningful information to leadership, budget managers, and the Board of Trustees.

• Oversees the treasury function including cash management, reporting on short-, mid-, and long-term cash

• planning/forecasting, endowment accounting, spending calculations, investment reconciliations, and all
• related financial reporting.

• Oversees the preparation and submission of required external financial reports, surveys, and accreditation-

• related financial information, including the preparation and review of annual tax filings including Form
• 990, Form 990-T, state filings, and other required regulatory reports.

• Ensures that all accounts are properly monitored and maintained and that accurate reports are provided to

departmental budget managers on a timely basis.

• Leads the coordination of the annual external audit, prepares audit schedules, serves as primary liaison to

• external auditors, and implements recommendations to strengthen internal controls and financial
• processes.

• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external constituents. Demonstrates

• initiative through early identification of problems and resourcefulness in timely resolution. Takes
• leadership in disseminating information and provides advice and counsel to constituencies.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and; Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration. Preferred

• qualifications include: Master's degree in accounting, CPA, and experience working in a
• higher education setting.

• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and

• financial reporting, including supervisory experience. Experience in higher education,
• healthcare, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); with

knowledge of fund accounting being preferred.

• Strong working knowledge of accounting systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to multitask and work

• cooperatively with others. Works effectively with auditors to resolve issues or implement
• changes to improve work efficiency and internal controls.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of general and not-for-profit accounting theory and practice.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insights for non-

financial audiences.

• Demonstrated experience leading financial systems implementations, upgrades, process

• improvements, and reporting enhancements within an ERP environment. Knowledge of financial
• analysis and auditing.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to review and audit fiscal records.
• Familiarity with modern office practices and procedures, including on-line computer systems,

personal computers, electronic mail, and internet.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively relate to all levels of employees, students, and external contacts.

Working Conditions

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters
• while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable
• individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position has no specific working
• conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private residential institution of higher
• education.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
• successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to
• enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires no specific
• physical demands other than those typical in a modern office environment.
• This position requires standard office equipment, including computers, printers, telephones, and other
• technology commonly used in a modern office environment.

Direct Reports

• Direct reports may include positions responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, student
• accounts, treasury, grants accounting, and financial systems administration. Specific reporting
• relationships may evolve based on institutional needs and the experience of the successful candidate.

Salary Range

$80,000-$120,000