Controller

Summary

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, proper accounting for all financial activity of the college in an effective and efficient manner to ensure compliance with all accounting practices and financial reporting requirements and guidelines, and all federal and state reporting requirements. Responsible for the coordination and compliance for the various audits of the College. Provides information to assist the administration in decision-making process and the effective allocation and use of college resources, and assist faculty and staff in understanding the financial operation of the college. Additional areas of responsibility may include, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, grants accounting, purchasing, and coordination of external audits. The Controller will participate as a member of the college leadership team. The Controller is directly responsible to the Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services.

Work Schedule: FT, 40 hours per week. The standard work week is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Exempt professionals, are expected to maintain a flexible schedule to ensure all responsibilities and collegiate needs are met, including occasional work outside of core business hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains the College's financial systems and is responsible for the overall accuracy of the general ledger including the monthly and fiscal year end closings.
• Develops and maintains an effective and efficient system of internal controls validated through internal audit procedures.
• Responsible for the maintenance of proper systems and procedures of internal control to assure accurate accounting of financial information and to ensure appropriate budgetary control.
• Responsible for the integrity of the college financial records.
• Reconciles and/or reviews the reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts to the general ledger.
• Serves as the lead person for the Finance related modules of Ellucian Banner software system.
• Reviews and reconciles quarterly and annual payroll reports and leads correspondence with taxing authorities.
• Provides leadership and support in Banner related issues, including the enhancements to existing Banner finance modules and installation of new Banner finance related modules.
• Directly or indirectly responsible for the accurate recording and reporting of the following: payables and disbursements; purchasing, grant reporting, accounts receivable, revenues and receipts; and payroll.
• Provides accurate, timely and useful internal and external financial reporting, including, but not limited to quarterly reports to the President's Cabinet and the Finance and Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Responsible for the coordination of all activities of the external auditors, all year end accounting functions, the preparation of audit schedules and the College audited financial statements, including MD+A and footnotes.
• Understands all required finance and compliance information relative to special and regular state and federal grants.
• Maintains a firm understanding of the PA Department of Education funding regulations and the overall regulations dealing with community colleges.
• Responsible for operating, debt service, and capital fund transfers.
• Prepares schedules for PA Department of Education data requests and reports.
• Assists college faculty and staff in developing business plans, financial models, and other financial analysis as may be required.
• Provides leadership and assistance to other college departments and staff as it pertains to all financial and accounting functions.
• Interacts with banks, auditors, governmental agencies and other college departments on matters of accounting and finance.
• Stays current and implements new pronouncements of accounting standards and other regulatory issues affecting accounting, financial reporting and governmental funding and audit issues.
• Ensures that all staff is adequately trained so as to provide continuation of necessary financial operations.
• Responsible for the documentation of Finance Department policy and procedures.
• Enforces all applicable Finance policies and procedures.
• Directly supervises the Foundation Staff Accountant.
• Responsible for evaluating the performance of direct reports.
• Contributes to the college's accreditation efforts, including the overall Middle State accreditation and any program specific accreditation standards.
• Carries out special projects as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in accounting or a related field from an accredited college or university or Certified Public Accountant license.

Certifications

• Act 153 Clearances (Act 34 PA Criminal Background, Act 151 PA Child Abuse History, Act 114 FBI Clearance Fingerprinting)

Work Experience

• Seven years of progressive experience in an accounting and business management capacity.
• Three years as a Controller, five years as an Assistant Controller or seven years of higher education audit experience.
• Higher education and/or not-for profit experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, especially Microsoft Excel or Access.
• Experience with enterprise software.
• Applicant must have sufficient experience and background in financial reporting and accounting to be able to supervise and manage all functions within the department of financial operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Must possess good communication skills to deal with both internal and external constituencies.
• Must be able to set priorities, plan work, and work independently.
• Must be detail oriented and able to enforce policies and procedures.
• Must be able to independently research state and federal accounting issues to apply results of findings to actual situations.
• Proficient in usage of spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.
• Must possess a high level of the following work skills and behaviors: leadership, teamwork/cooperation, initiative, customer service, and commitment to continuous professional growth in skills and knowledge.

Preferred

• Experience with enterprise software required - preferably Ellucian Banner.
• Bilingual (Spanish).