Description

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Services, the University Controller provides leadership for the University Controller’s Office with management and oversight of the university’s financial accounting and reporting functions. The University Controller has three direct reports, responsible for General Accounting (cash and asset management, merchant services, accounts receivable, student accounts), Accounts Payable (payables, travel and related systems), Payroll, Financial Reporting (tax and debt management, financial reporting and analysis) and Capital Improvements.

The University Controller is responsible for ensuring the accounting and reporting of financial activities is compliant with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations and requirements, ensuring the proper application of generally accepted accounting policies and procedures for public universities, establishing appropriate and relevant internal controls over accounting and reporting, safeguarding the integrity of information in the university’s financial accounting system, preparing and certifying the university’s financial statements, coordinating the annual state audit, serving as the primary contact with the State Controller’s Office and State Auditor’s Office, and providing direction and guidance to the university community to ensure compliance with fiscal policies and guidelines.

The University Controller serves as the university’s Internal Control Officer, data steward for the university’s financial system, and as chair or advisor to various university committees, providing guidance in the management of the university’s enterprise financial systems.

Develop and implement strategies and best practices to support the financial integrity of the university.
Ensure sound fiscal policies are created, adopted, published, and implemented to ensure proper recording of financial transactions, controls and audits, billings and collections, and protection of university assets and resources. Maintain and report financial transactions in accordance with GAAP, FASB / GASB standards, and governmental audit requirements. Oversee and direct activities associated with monthly and year-end close processes. Ensure that financial transactions are accurate and properly recorded and classified. Direct the preparation of government reports and tax returns in a timely and accurate manner. Generate and interpret required and ad hoc reports, such as interim financial reports. Interface with internal and external auditors, address inquiries and provide documentation that supports their needs and ensure clean audits with no audit findings. Facilitate the effective use of financial systems and the interface of other elements in auxiliary systems, including the integration of system upgrades and updates. Analyze and interpret data using current technology and retrieval applications. Proactively analyze and apply accounting policy changes to ensure accurate financial statements and disclosures. Analyze, exercise judgment, and communicate timely and appropriately related risks to accounting, reporting, and tax matters. Interpret and implement appropriate university policies, procedures, guidelines and forms over accounting and reporting (including journal entry guidelines, travel guidelines, year-end task procedures, spending guidelines, capital asset guidelines, expenditure authorization and reconciliation guidelines, cash and bank account guidelines, month end close checklist, etc.); Oversee and direct policies and procedures governing fiscal systems and internal controls for the accounting and reporting functions. Assess, monitor, and ensure systems of internal accounting controls to satisfy management assertions and compliance requirements subject to audit. Ensure financial systems are safeguarded against unauthorized and improper use. Assess, implement, and monitor a process to ensure reliable data is collected to meet deadlines and filing requirements. Assess security risks associated with financial records and establish appropriate controls to mitigate such risks. Oversee merchant services/payment card processing and PCI compliance. Oversees payroll administration as well as vendor payments and account reconciliation. Oversee aspects of taxation and payment of non-resident alien employees, as well as non-employees paid. Responsible for cash management and monitoring of cash flow; establish capital debt planning, issuance, and strategies. Oversee the university’s debt programs, including long term and short term, and management of the university’s eternal debt portfolio. Monitor credit ratings as influenced by debt capacity and debt issuance. Manage external banking relationships, and ensure the university’s positive reputation through strong credibility, accountability, and compliance regarding debt financing. Provide training opportunities for university constituents across all levels of the university, to promote the highest standards of quality, performance, and service. Oversee employees within the University Controller’s Office, including providing career development and performance management to employees within the department, designed to support a productive and knowledgeable workforce focused on employee engagement, customer service and resource stewardship as defined by the Division of Finance and Administration. Collaborate with the University Human Resources on strategic, process and workplace culture initiatives designed to recruit and retain a diverse and talented workforce.

Special projects as assigned by the Chancellor, Chancellor’s Cabinet, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Services.

Fiscal Responsibility for Leadership- 35%
Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Services, the University Controller provides leadership for the University Controller’s Office with management and oversight of the university’s financial accounting and reporting functions. The University Controller has three direct reports, responsible for General Accounting (cash and asset management, merchant services, accounts receivable, student accounts), Accounts Payable (payables, travel and related systems), Payroll, Financial Reporting (tax and debt management, financial reporting and analysis) and Capital Improvements.

The University Controller is responsible for ensuring the accounting and reporting of financial activities is compliant with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations and requirements, ensuring the proper application of generally accepted accounting policies and procedures for public universities, establishing appropriate and relevant internal controls over accounting and reporting, safeguarding the integrity of information in the university’s financial accounting system, preparing and certifying the university’s financial statements, coordinating the annual state audit, serving as the primary contact with the State Controller’s Office and State Auditor’s Office, and providing direction and guidance to the university community to ensure compliance with fiscal policies and guidelines.

Internal Control, Policy and Procedures- 50%
The University Controller serves as the university’s Internal Control Officer, data steward for the university’s financial system, and as chair or advisor to various university committees, providing guidance in the management of the university’s enterprise financial systems.

Develop and implement strategies and best practices to support the financial integrity of the university. Ensure sound fiscal policies are created, adopted, published, and implemented to ensure proper recording of financial transactions, controls and audits, billings and collections, and protection of university assets and resources. Maintain and report financial transactions in accordance with GAAP, FASB / GASB standards, and governmental audit requirements. Oversee and direct activities associated with monthly and year-end close processes. Ensure that financial transactions are accurate and properly recorded and classified. Direct the preparation of government reports and tax returns in a timely and accurate manner. Generate and interpret required and ad hoc reports, such as interim financial reports. Interface with internal and external auditors, address inquiries and provide documentation that supports their needs and ensure clean audits with no audit findings. Facilitate the effective use of financial systems and the interface of other elements in auxiliary systems, including the integration of system upgrades and updates. Analyze and interpret data using current technology and retrieval applications. Proactively analyze and apply accounting policy changes to ensure accurate financial statements and disclosures. Analyze, exercise judgment, and communicate timely and appropriately related risks to accounting, reporting, and tax matters. Interpret and implement appropriate university policies, procedures, guidelines and forms over accounting and reporting (including journal entry guidelines, travel guidelines, year-end task procedures, spending guidelines, capital asset guidelines, expenditure authorization and reconciliation guidelines, cash and bank account guidelines, month end close checklist, etc.); Oversee and direct policies and procedures governing fiscal systems and internal controls for the accounting and reporting functions. Assess, monitor, and ensure systems of internal accounting controls to satisfy management assertions and compliance requirements subject to audit. Ensure financial systems are safeguarded against unauthorized and improper use. Assess, implement, and monitor a process to ensure reliable data is collected to meet deadlines and filing requirements. Assess security risks associated with financial records and establish appropriate controls to mitigate such risks. Oversee merchant services/payment card processing and PCI compliance. Oversees payroll administration as well as vendor payments and account reconciliation.

Long-Term Fiscal Responsibilities- 15%
Oversee aspects of taxation and payment of non-resident alien employees, as well as non-employees paid. Responsible for cash management and monitoring of cash flow; establish capital debt planning, issuance, and strategies. Oversee the university’s debt programs, including long term and short term, and management of the university’s eternal debt portfolio. Monitor credit ratings as influenced by debt capacity and debt issuance. Manage external banking relationships, and ensure the university’s positive reputation through strong credibility, accountability, and compliance regarding debt financing. Provide training opportunities for university constituents across all levels of the university, to promote the highest standards of quality, performance, and service. Oversee employees within the University Controller’s Office, including providing career development and performance management to employees within the department, designed to support a productive and knowledgeable workforce focused on employee engagement, customer service and resource stewardship as defined by the Division of Finance and Administration. Collaborate with the University Human Resources on strategic, process and workplace culture initiatives designed to recruit and retain a diverse and talented workforce.

Requirements

Four-year degree in accounting, finance or business management. Ten or more years of increasing fiscal responsibility in a complex environment, preferably in higher education, is required along with demonstrated skills and proficiency in supervision.

Preferred a master’s degree in accounting or related field.

Candidates with the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation are preferred.

Demonstrated dynamic and innovative leadership, interpersonal and superior communication skills, with evidence of building collegian relationships and effective work groups across divisional boundaries as a collaborator. Must have familiarity with office productivity software and the ability to prioritize, manage and successfully complete multiple tasks.

Thorough knowledge of accounting theories, principles, and systems design and knowledge of governmental accounting and business operations. Ability to interpret and apply complex laws and regulations to accounting situations.

Excellent communications skills to interface effectively with diverse internal and external professionals.

Knowledge of grants management.

Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and listening skills.