"Assistant Controller, General Accounting"

Overview

Reporting to the Associate Controller of Accounting for Yale University, the Assistant Controller of Accounting is responsible for developing and maintaining accounting principles, practices, and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. Ensures that all general accounting activities are carried out in compliance with university standards and other regulations. This position focuses on broad-reaching leadership duties and strategic processes/decisions that impact the university as a whole and inform/influence key decision-makers. Expectations include:

1. Identifying and resolving complex issues and errors from all University users, often with material impact to internal and external reporting and budget/long-range-planning implications.
2. Providing strategic thought leadership to senior financial leaders to enable and influence decisions.
3. Creating and leading cross-functional collaborations to develop or revise policies and procedures that impact the broad university community and/or finance "center of expertise" leaders.
4. Providing the accounting leadership to Controller’s Office, FSS, Central Finance and distributed business offices that facilitates a timely and accurate financial close with significant incremental complexity for year-end and quarters.
5. University’s evaluation and adoption of new accounting pronouncements in collaboration with Financial Reporting.
6. All of these areas must be and are addressed with a focus on total university compliance and internal controls, consideration of impact to external and internal audits, and consideration of external and internal financial reporting needs.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Comprehensive knowledge of financial accounting, reporting, and internal control concepts.
2. Collaborative, strategic, adaptable and effective under pressure with strong leadership skills and a track record of accomplishment. Proven ability to work in partnership with a wide array of stakeholders.
3. An ability to navigate the complexities of a large, decentralized, complex environment and an effective style with staff and very senior leaders and strong, well-developed organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills with an attention to detail that ensures accuracy, timeliness and quality of the information provided.
4. Excellent written and oral communications skills and a strong facility with presentation development. Well-developed computer skills with demonstrated proficiency in Excel.
5. The ability to continuously identify and drive process improvements and change throughout the organization. Proactive, curious, resourceful, strategic thinker with ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of the University’s administration and financial data structures and reporting tools preferred.

Preferred Education and Experience

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or public accounting experience highly preferred. Master’s degree in accounting.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Process Owner: Lead all aspects of a financial area at the University including developing guiding principles and identifying changes. Must Survey the financial environment; evaluate for consistency with principles; Interface with other areas that create, disseminate and use financial information to ensure they meet the University’s policies and provide consistent information with University level reports. Manage the process for prioritization of modifications and development ensuring principles are followed consistently while meeting customer needs. Lead decision making group to consensus where accountability is shared across multiple areas.
2. Strategic Advisor & Analyst: Provide recommendations on the overall strategic approach to University financial area.
   • Develop approach to analyze current state.
   • Identify key internal controls that rely on financial area.
3. Change Leader: Identify and lead the implementation of change management efforts related to a financial area.
   • Identify areas where training is needed, oversee development and deployment.
   • In areas where a change is required, meet with stakeholders and manage change to a method that is consistent with principles.
4. May Supervise staff.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or similar field. Ten years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Salary Range

$124,000.00 - $206,500.00

Location

150 Munson Street, New Haven, Connecticut

Work Model

Hybrid