Assistant Administrator - Controller (ECP) - OIACER

City University of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 155,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

City College of New York seeks an Assistant Administrator – Controller (ECP) to lead the Foundation’s accounting operations, including the general ledger, close processes, and financial reporting across restricted, endowed, and operating funds.

You will supervise accounting staff, coordinate audits and tax filings, and ensure compliance with donor terms and institutional policy while partnering with the CFO and Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience in accounting, financial reporting, or controllership in higher education or nonprofit settings.
• Experience directing accounting staff and managing month-end/year-end close.
• Experience leading audits and tax reporting processes.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, financial statements, and fund accounting.
• Experience with restricted funds, endowments, investment accounting, and donor compliance.
• CPA designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations including general ledger, AP, AR, and close processes.
• Lead preparation and review of financial statements and schedules.
• Coordinate annual audit and tax filings with auditors.
• Oversee Form 990, 1099 reporting, and regulatory filings.
• Establish and monitor accounting policies and internal controls.
• Direct investments accounting including endowment activity and valuations.
• Manage donor-related accounting and fund structures.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Fund accounting

Endowment accounting

Donor compliance

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

Tools

Blackbaud Financial Edge

Raiser’s Edge

Workday

CUNYfirst

Job description

Assistant Administrator - Controller (ECP) - OIACER

POSITION DETAILS

The Controller is responsible for supporting the achievement of the Foundation for City College’s mission and goals by working in close partnership with the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Director of the Foundation to protect, manage, and steward funds for the benefit of the College. The Controller provides leadership for the Foundation’s accounting operations, financial reporting environment, and internal control framework, and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Foundation’s books and records across a complex portfolio of restricted, endowed, operating, and other funds.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller directs the Foundation’s accounting function and supervises accounting staff responsible for general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related financial operations. The Controller leads the monthly and year-end close processes, oversees preparation of financial statements and supporting schedules, coordinates the annual audit and tax filings, and establishes policies and controls designed to strengthen financial stewardship, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

The Controller also serves as the Foundation’s principal accounting lead in complex accounting and reporting areas including, endowment and investment accounting, alternative investments, exchange and auxiliary revenue, reconciliation of donor and fund records across systems, and implementation of donor-related financial terms and restrictions. The position exercises substantial independent judgment in resolving accounting issues, establishing procedures, evaluating financial risk, and ensuring reliable financial reporting in support of the Foundation’s fiduciary and operational responsibilities. This position functions as the senior accounting leader within the Foundation’s current organizational structure, in which the accounting function represents a major operational area reporting to the CFO.

Responsibilities include:

• Direct and oversee the Foundation’s accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, monthly close, year-end close, reconciliations, and related financial processes.
• Lead preparation and review of timely and accurate financial statements, schedules, analyses, and other internal and external financial reports.
• Serve as the Foundation’s principal accounting lead for the annual audit, coordinating schedules, supporting documentation, auditor requests, issue resolution, and timely completion of audited financial statements.
• Oversee preparation and review of Form 990, 1099 reporting, and other tax and regulatory filings, in coordination with external auditors and advisors as appropriate.
• Establish, implement, and monitor accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard assets, strengthen compliance, and improve the reliability of financial reporting.
• Direct accounting for investments, including endowment activity, pooled and non-pooled funds, capital calls, distributions, valuation support, and related reconciliations.
• Oversee accounting and reporting for complex and non-standard revenue streams, including exchange revenue, auxiliary activities, and other earned income arrangements.
• Lead reconciliation and financial integrity efforts across financial and donor-related systems, including projects involving historical balances, legacy discrepancies, and alignment of records with donor intent and institutional policy.
• Provide accounting leadership in the implementation of donor agreements and fund structures, including interpretation and operationalization of financial terms, restrictions, spending rules, and related reporting requirements.
• Direct, supervise, train, and evaluate accounting staff; assign work; review output; and support the development of an effective, service-oriented accounting team.
• Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer on strategic financial planning, budget support, Board and committee materials, process improvement initiatives, and other strategic and operational priorities.
• Work closely with colleagues in advancement, operations, and other campus and Foundation functions to ensure accurate recording, reconciliation, and reporting of financial activity.
• Identify and resolve complex accounting issues using sound judgment, and recommend and implement improvements to systems, workflows, and controls.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience. Additional qualifications are defined below by the College.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Significant progressively responsible leadership experience in accounting, financial reporting, or controllership functions, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, foundation, or similarly complex environments.
• Demonstrated experience directing and supervising professional accounting staff and managing month-end and year-end close processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading annual audits and tax reporting processes.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, financial statement preparation, and fund accounting.
• Experience with restricted funds, endowments, investment accounting, and donor-related financial compliance.
• Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge, Raiser's Edge, Workday, and/or CUNYfirst strongly preferred.
• CPA designation preferred.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex financial information to a variety of stakeholders.

CUNY TITLE

Assistant Administrator

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary Range: $155,388 - $172,085. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

CLOSING DATE

October 15, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Executive

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32814

Location: City College of New York

Job Type: Full-Time