"Assistant Controller"

Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Controller

Location: Remote

Department: Accounting

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Reports To: Director of Accounting

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Assistant Controller is primarily responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Office, including supervising staff. Responsibilities include providing direct assistance in the preparation of the monthly and fiscal year end closing processes, as well as a variety of accounting, tax, and account reconciliation processes, developing and implementing internal control procedures to encourage efficient and effective operations. Candidates for this position must be able to partner with coworkers to fulfill the mission and values of the university.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist Director of Accounting in the review and interpretation of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Fiscal Rules, System Policies, etc. to ensure accounting transactions are compliant with applicable regulations and policies including, but not limited to journal entries, cash receipts journals and check requests prepared by Accounting Office staff.
• Manage timely, thorough, and accurate month end close process to be completed by the 6th business day of the following month. Manage general ledger account reconciliations and balancing, including bank reconciliations and asset and liability accounts to be completed by the deadlines established in the monthly reporting schedule and as directed by the Director of Accounting.
• Responsible for preparing the tuition reasonableness tests for all programs by term. Ensuring outstanding items are investigated and cleared within the schedule established by the Director of Accounting.
• Assist the Director of Accounting with the annual external audit process and assist with the compilation of the University’s audited financial statements in accordance with the audit schedule created during each audit cycle.
• Manage the annual benefit plan audit process working with People and Culture to timely file reports for the university to be completed by the deadlines established by the VP for Finance and Business Affairs.
• Assist in managing the preparation of all university tax and compliance reporting responsibilities, including but not limited to, informational tax returns, sales tax returns, property tax exemptions, and environment fee returns to be completed by the deadlines established by Federal and State agencies.
• Responsible for the administration of the university expense reimbursement software.
• Review and post journal entries daily.
• Supervise the university’s fixed asset database, including monitoring disposition, properly classifying asset additions and estimating depreciation expense monthly. Ensuring fixed assets are recorded and balanced within the audit work timelines, as directed by the Director of Accounting.
• Assist with the Accounting Office’s portion of aid reconciliations, including aid from federal and state agencies as applicable. Ensuring reconciliation is completed monthly and all outstanding items are investigated and cleared with Financial Aid on a monthly basis in accordance with the schedule established by the Director of Accounting in concurrence with the Director of Financial Aid.
• Assist with developing relevant changes to the University’s accounting policies and procedures to the University community.
• Assist the Director of Accounting and the Executive Director of Finance in managing the implementation of more effective and efficient procedures within the Accounting Office working with other departments (e.g. IT, Financial Aid) as necessary.
• Manage ERP new release and update testing for all modules managed by the Accounting Office.
• Serve as project leader on accounting projects as assigned.
• Perform backup duties for Accounting Office personnel as needed.
• Provide support to the Director of Accounting as needed.
• Performs other special projects, ad hoc assignments and other duties as assigned by the Director of Accounting and the Executive Director of Finance.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

Other duties and special projects may be assigned to meet department or university needs. As a senior member of the accounting team a self-directed and timely work ethic is required and expected. The ability to work in a fast paced and collaborative environment and adjust to changing priorities. Willingness to take initiative and to follow through on projects. Must be proactive and recommend solutions when discussing problems. Provides training and support for the accounting team members as needed.

ATTENDANCE:

Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks, where applicable. ONSITE: The essential duties of the positions can be maintained remotely. Occasional visits throughout the term may be required.

INTELLECTUAL:

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.

Project Management - Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.

Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

INTERPERSONAL:

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

External Working Relationships – Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.

LEADERSHIP:

Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.

Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.

Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products, and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

ORGANIZATION:

Business Acumen - Aligns work with strategic goals.

Business Necessity – The needs of the employer may be dependent on responding to and anticipating rapidly changing external and internal demands in all aspects of how business is conducted. This may include, but is not limited to, organization structure, finances, goals, personnel, work processes, technology, and customer demands. Therefore, it may become necessary to make modifications to how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with minimal or no advance notice to employees. Accordingly, the employee must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advance notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance.

Safety and Security –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages 3 employees in the Accounting Department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; and three to four years related experience and/or training with increasing levels of responsibility. Experience in higher education or nonprofit setting preferred.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet Software; spreadsheet software (Excel); word processing software (Word); electronic mail software (Outlook); presentation software (PowerPoint); reporting software, enterprise database software system; Jenzabar (J1); Quickbooks; Payroll Systems; Inventory Software; and Infomaker.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES/ QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in Jenzabar system preferred.

Proven customer service skills and enthusiasm for providing exceptional service to a diverse population of students, staff, faculty, and other constituencies.

Proven exceptional attention to detail and ability to consistently produce error free results.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to talk or hear.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to the outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SCU CORE VALUES:

1. Integrative Health: We teach, learn, collaborate, and lead by creating an open environment for multiple disciplines and professionals to bring their shared and unique skills together for the benefit of patients and students.
2. Evidence-based Practice: We value a culture of inquiry, assessment, research, scholarship, and judicious use of current best evidence to inform our decisions and work.
3. Health Equity: We value people equally. We strive to educate graduates that are prepared to improve individual and community health.
4. Inclusivity: We welcome everyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other similar or protected status. We believe inclusivity leads to more diversity in our reasoning, better representativeness in our conclusions, more ingenuity in our problem solving, and greater equity in our care.