Department: Financial Affairs
Position: Controller
Reports to: Vice President for Financial Affairs
Classification: Exempt Status
Purpose:
The Controller oversees the daily financial operations of the Accounting Office, managing staff coordination and key activities such as cash management, general ledger accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, and budget oversight. Additionally, the Controller is responsible for the oversight of benefits accounting and administration, actively participates in budget preparation and management, contract negotiations, and identifying and implementing cost-saving initiatives.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Master’s in Accounting or Business Administration and/or CPA is preferred.
- Eight to ten years of full-time progressively responsible accounting experience, including management of a financial services or business office in a non-profit setting, preferably within higher education.
- Experience in financial audit coordination.
- Professional experience including technical expertise in accounting, financial statement preparation, budget management, and cash management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of accounting information systems, preferably Jenzabar J1, report writing software, preferably Infomaker, and spreadsheet software.
- The ability to develop, refine, and maintain sound financial and internal control systems and to enforce and communicate these systems with all college constituencies.
- Ability to work collaboratively with college constituencies and to effectively lead support staff.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with all levels of the organization are required.
- Must be motivated, self-directed, and able to work under pressure and simultaneously manage numerous deadlines.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the daily financial operations of the Accounting Office and provide hands-on coordination of staff and their associated activities. This includes but is not limited to:
- Record and monitor all financial transactions of the College.
- Manage the month-end account reconciliations and closing process.
- Establish accounting policies, procedures, and processes that follow accepted accounting principles and good accounting practices.
- Oversee the fixed asset accounting, endowment and investment accounting, payroll and benefit accounting, and gift accounting functions.
- Respond to internal requests for financial data and budget inquiries.
- Manage the operation of the College’s financial accounting system and maintain oversight of the Jenzabar Business Office Module including the Chart of Accounts. Ensure maintenance of integrated elements of the Module.
- Manage and oversee internal and external financial reporting and variance analysis.
- Complete and review various annual surveys required by associations of higher education.
- Monitor spending associated with all grants and ensure proper grant accounting within the general ledger and according to grant guidelines. Coordinate financial reviews with grant PIs.
- Oversee the fiscal year-end close process, the timely completion of the financial statement, federal award, PA IAG, and 403b plan audits, and the preparation and submission of IRS Forms 990 and 990T.
- Oversee all payroll activities.
- Oversee the Payroll Coordinator for all payroll transactions including salaried, contract, hourly, overtime, benefits deductions, and special deductions.
- Review adjunct payroll grids and additional payroll requests for reasonableness and compliance with College policies.
- Approved/deny non-Federal Work Study Student Employment based on department availability of funds.
- Coordinate the transmission of the payroll to outside Payroll Service (i.e. ADP) and ensure the accuracy of all reports.
- Prepare accounts payable transactions related to the payment of certain benefits (health insurance, dental insurance, etc.) and other deductions.
- Oversee the electronic transmission of the TIAA-CREF employee deductions and employer contributions to the 403B Retirement Plan.
- Prepare reports related to pay data on a regular and as-requested basis.
- Compile monthly and annual data for ACA reporting and coordinate with outside vendor for preparation of Forms 1094-C and 1095-C.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.
- Assist in the development of policies and procedures, internal controls, and new initiatives within the College.
- Identify strategic opportunities to improve processes within the department and throughout the College.
- Establish effective Cash Management practices to monitor and control A/R Cash Receipts and A/P Cash Disbursements; and prepare cash forecasts.
- Manage the use of the College’s Line of Credit and oversee compliance with debt covenants and lender reporting requirements.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of external financial relationships with banks and other financial institutions.
- Serve as an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, as well as on the Audit, Investment, and 403b Plan subcommittees.
- Serve on various College committees.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Vice President for Financial Affairs.
