Assistant Controller

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Aberdeen (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement

Paid leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking an Assistant Controller at Northern State University. This role is crucial for supporting financial integrity and decision-making through accurate financial data and budget management. The position involves a variety of responsibilities including preparing budget data, providing financial analyses, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least three years of experience in accounting or financial management. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in accounting, budgeting, or financial management.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting and internal controls.
• Proficiency in Excel for financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain budget data for accurate financial reporting.
• Provide financial analysis to support decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
• Collaborate to resolve financial issues and improve processes.

Skills

Accounting principles

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field

Tools

Enterprise financial systems

Job description

Assistant Controller

Location: Aberdeen.

Northern State University invites applications for the position of Assistant Controller. This position serves as a key contributor to Northern State University’s financial leadership by supporting the integrity, transparency, and effective use of institutional resources. The Assistant Controller plays an essential role in enabling sound decisions, strengthening fiscal accountability, and advancing operational excellence through accurate financial data and disciplined budget management.

Key Job Duties

• Prepare, validate, and maintain budget data in the ERP system to support accurate financial reporting and fiscal integrity.
• Maintain the university budget throughout the fiscal year by processing adjustments, monitoring variances, and ensuring alignment with institutional, Board of Regents, and state requirements.
• Provide timely financial analysis to leadership, departments, and external stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
• Provide guidance on budget processes, financial systems, and fiscal policies to promote consistency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Perform key accounting functions, including journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close activities across university and state systems.
• Prepare recurring and ad-hoc financial reports, including budget-to-actuals, projections, and management reports.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, state regulations, and Board of Regents policies and procedures.
• Collaborate across the university to resolve financial issues and strengthen transparency, accountability, and process effectiveness.
• Identify and implement process improvements in budgeting, reporting, and financial operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Present financial information clearly to diverse stakeholders, translating complex concepts into actionable insights.
• Review and approve journal vouchers and internal requisitions daily.
• Monitor position budgets and process payroll corrections as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field.
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, budgeting, or financial management.
• Knowledge of budgeting principles, financial analysis and reporting, and internal controls.
• Proficiency in enterprise financial systems and advanced Microsoft Excel for financial analysis, reporting, and data management.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Experience in higher education finance, public sector accounting, or a similarly complex regulatory environment.

Northern State University offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement, paid leave, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement