"Controller"

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a comprehensive doctoral institution—currently operating with a balanced budget without the use of reserves—and a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, invites applications and nominations for the position of Controller. The Controller, reporting directly to the Associate Vice President for Finance, will join a strong, collaborative, student-focused, and mission-driven team.

The Position: The Controller provides leadership and direction for the University’s accounting function, supervising six accountants and five accounts payable staff. The Controller also ensures compliance with internal controls and compliance with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania policies and procedures; manages the relationship with the external auditors, including planning, preparing, reviewing, and complying with audit requests for the annual financial audit and the single audit; manages external reporting for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), NCAA Financial Reporting System, Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), and Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey; and ensures compliance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue regulations relating to tax matters. Additionally, the Controller invoices/draws funds for federal and state grants, direct loans, and work study, and serves as the system administrator for banking, endowment, U.S. Department of Education G5, System for Award Management (SAM), and other cash and grant related systems/portals. Other key responsibilities include managing master data for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for funds and cost centers as well as student information system (SIS) billing, managing the University’s cash position, and assisting the budget office with reconciling budget to actual variances. This position also actively participates in the State System’s controller group meetings and works closely with the IUP Foundation, Research Institute, and Student Cooperative Association. In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, the Controller plays a critical role in mentoring and developing staff, while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. This position provides strategic leadership to ensure the continued growth and professional development of the accounting and accounts payable teams, aligning staff goals with departmental and institutional priorities. The Controller also contributes to long-term planning and decision-making within the Finance Division, helping to shape and lead initiatives that strengthen financial stewardship and operational excellence across the University.

The Institution: Since opening its doors in 1875, Indiana University of Pennsylvania has used innovative programs and hands-on learning opportunities to transform student lives and positively impact the world. IUP is the only university in Pennsylvania to hold both the R2 university ranking (Carnegie Foundation) and the “Higher Access, Higher Earnings” designation (Carnegie Foundation) and is one of only 18 such public universities in the nation. There are only 27 public or private universities in the nation that have the R2 classification and “Higher Access, Higher Earnings” designation. With more than 100 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate programs, including 13 doctoral programs, IUP offers its more than 9,000 students many pioneering programs, including the country’s first minor in teamwork and in-demand majors such as safety sciences, a strong array of STEM fields, and homeland security. In the record-setting $81.36M Imagine Unlimited Impact comprehensive campaign, IUP far exceeded its goals as well as garnered the largest gift in university and State System history—a $23 million commitment from an alumni couple. In 2019, IUP opened its University College, which allows first-year students to begin their studies by learning about their many options for majors before they ultimately choose one. The University also offers opportunities such as the Research Experiences for Summer Scholars program, in which undergraduate students conduct graduate-level research with a faculty member throughout the summer and then present their findings to their peers. IUP has regional locations, in Northpointe (Freeport), Pennsylvania; a graduate and professional center near Pittsburgh; an Academy of Culinary Arts; and it also offers professional training at its police academy. There are also unique learning opportunities for students at the Indiana campus in the prestigious Cook Honors College, which challenges its students to think critically about the world around them. IUP offered its first doctoral degree in 1965 as the first university in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education to offer Ph.D. programs. IUP’s more than 150,000 alumni are spread across the globe, in more than 90 countries. The institution also houses a nationally accredited childcare center on campus. To learn more about the University, please visit https://www.iup.edu.

Location: Indiana, Pennsylvania, located in the bucolic foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and one hour northeast of Pittsburgh, is home to approximately 13,000 residents. Historically a mining and railway town, today’s Indiana maintains a vibrant downtown area featuring a variety of restaurants and shops. Many families choose to live in Indiana because of its affordability, strong schools, sense of community, and recreational opportunities. Experiencing four distinct seasons, the region offers numerous year-round outdoor activities, including golfing, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, kayaking, disc golf, photography, skiing, and sightseeing. The area is home to an expansive 64-mile rails-to-trails system, historic buildings, wineries, breweries, and Amish communities, and is the birthplace of actor Jimmy Stewart.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have supervisory experience and progressively responsible accounting experience in higher education. Also preferred is public accounting assurance/audit experience, experience in a public (GASB) higher education system with a central office, and knowledge of business office operations and integrations with an ERP, SIS, identification card, food service, housing, point of sale, and banking systems. Microsoft Office proficiency with a heavy emphasis on Microsoft Excel pivot tables is also helpful. A Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in accounting; a Master’s degree in a business program or a CPA is also preferred.