Associate Vice President/Controller

Department Statement

The Associate Vice President/Controller is the University’s chief accounting officer and a key member of the Finance and Administration leadership team. The Controller leads nineteen staff across two functional areas and is responsible for the accuracy of the University’s financial reporting, the strength of its internal controls, and the efficiency of its core financial systems and processes. The Controller serves as the primary liaison to external auditors and financial institutions, and partners with leaders across campus to support sound financial stewardship.

Accountabilities

The Associate Vice President/Controller is responsible for:

Financial Reporting and Controls

Ensuring accurate financial controls, accounting, and financial reporting for the entire University.

Producing monthly budget-to-actual financial reports and year-end projections.

Establishing and communicating effective financial and accounting policies, and serving as the University’s authority on accounting treatments, internal controls, and financial policies and procedures.

Maintaining the University’s relationships with audit and tax firms.

Responsible for the Chart of Accounts and general ledger maintenance.

Treasury and Cash Management

Directing day-to-day cash management, including banking relationships.

Providing analysis and guidance on budgeting, short-term cash investments, and cash forecasting.

Operations and Shared Services

Providing effective management of the University’s payroll, audit, tax, P-card, purchasing, sales tax, endowment accounting, grant accounting, plant accounting, accounts receivable, cashiering, student accounts, accounts payable, general ledger, billing, and fixed asset functions.

Implementing effective purchasing programs that secure favorable commercial terms for goods and services.

Leading efficiency improvements to core financial systems and processes.

Ensuring continuous improvement in services provided to University stakeholders.

Leadership and Team Development

Supervising assigned staff, including hiring high-quality employees, distributing work effectively, providing fair and accurate performance feedback, and making sound decisions on employment status.

Creating meaningful opportunities for employee mentoring, development, and sustained performance.

Leadership Behaviors

Delivering measurable results, owning decisions and outcomes, and incorporating feedback for continuous improvement.

Communicating clearly across diverse audiences and maintaining strict confidentiality of private information.

Resolving challenges through prioritized problem-solving and collaborative decision-making aligned with organizational goals.

Leading through change, including transitions, University initiatives, and evolving procedures, and supporting the University’s sustainability initiatives.

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible accounting experience with higher education or not-for-profit settings and at least five years in a supervisory or management role.

Working knowledge of GAAP and fund accounting, and of tax compliance and audit requirements as they apply to higher education.

Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and retaining high-performing, diverse teams, including selecting staff, assessing performance, and coaching on pay, performance, and development.

Experience with Microsoft Office applications, specifically utilizing Excel to analyze data, maintain records, and build functional spreadsheets.

Demonstrated ability to use modern financial and accounting systems to drive efficient financial management and data-driven decision making.

Proven record of strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including building financial forecasts and providing rigorous analysis to support budgeting, operations, and cash management.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial matters to diverse audiences, including faculty, staff, trustees, and external partners.

Proven capability to handle sensitive financial and personnel information while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Ability to engage professionally and respectfully with a broad, diverse higher education community, and demonstrated experience fostering an inclusive team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with an ERP implementation. Working knowledge of Ellucian Banner or a comparable ERP system.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or finance is required.

Certifications

CPA license strongly preferred or advanced degree with commensurate experience.

Work Arrangement type

On-Site (Hamilton, NY) - expected to work fully at the designated campus/office location.

Hiring Wage/Salary Range

$154,500-$193,200

Apply through the Colgate University careers site.