Assistant Controller

Community College of Denver; Lamar (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Tuition reimbursement

PERA retirement benefits

Generous paid leave

Job summary

Lamar Community College is seeking an Assistant Controller to lead payroll and assist the Controller with GAAP-compliant financial oversight. The role also serves as the Foundation accountant, supporting financial reporting and internal controls at the college level.

You will manage payroll processing, journal entries, and audits, collaborating with HR and the Finance Office to ensure accurate, timely payments and compliant reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in financial accounting or closely related field required.
• CPA preferred but not required; demonstrated knowledge of GAAP and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with ERP systems and financial reporting processes is essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all payroll functions and lead the payroll team.
• Assist Controller with fiscal oversight, reporting, and GAAP adherence.
• Prepare payroll-related journal entries and month-end close activities.
• Maintain internal controls and ensure compliance with state fiscal rules.
• Serve as the Foundation accountant and coordinate with the LCC Foundation.
• Assist in annual financial statements and COFRS reconciliations.
• Train payroll staff and provide backup for payroll processing.

Skills

Financial Reporting

Advanced ERP Systems

Advanced Data Analysis

Auditing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Accounting or Closely related field

Tools

NetSuite

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Job description

Title: Assistant Controller

Position Type: Professional Tech Full time

College: Lamar Community College

Division: Finance and Administration

Department: LCC Business Office

Campus: Lamar Main Campus

Location: Lamar

Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000

Who We Are:

At Lamar Community College, you'll find the rare opportunity to build a meaningful career while enjoying the benefits of rural Colorado living. Trade traffic for open roads, crowded neighborhoods for friendly faces, and long commutes for more time doing what you love.

Our campus is at the center of a vibrant and supportive community where employees have the chance to make a visible impact, build genuine relationships, and help shape the future of students and the region. From community festivals and local sporting events to outdoor adventures, stunning prairie sunsets, and some of the best stargazing in Colorado, Lamar offers a lifestyle that is both rewarding and refreshing.

If you're looking for a career where your work matters, your voice is valued, and your community knows your name, Lamar Community College may be exactly the place you've been searching for.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Controller oversees all payroll functions for the college and works closely with HR in order to ensure timely and accurate payments are made through campus payroll processes. The Assistant Controller assists the Controller with fiscal oversight, monitoring, and reporting, assuring adherence to GAAP. The position also serves as the Accountant for the Lamar Community College Foundation.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Payroll Management

Oversees all payroll functions and provides leadership to the payroll team, working closely with Human Resources, the LCC Business Office, and CCCS to ensure accurate and timely payments to employees.

Reviews and reconciles all scheduled (monthly and biweekly) and ad hoc (CHOPS) payrolls.

Audits salary increases, position changes, and other employment actions in Banner to ensure accuracy before payroll processing and works with HR to ensure Banner is updated/corrected as necessary.

Processes redistributions in Banner related to changes or corrections in employee’s funding source and works with HR to ensure that necessary updates/corrections are reflected in the employee’s job record in Banner.

Reviews feeds from benefit enrollment platform to ensure that they are accurately transferred into Banner, working with HR to ensure Banner is updated/corrected as necessary.

Prepares all payroll-related journal entries.

Provides training and support to payroll processing staff and serves as backup for processing monthly and bi-weekly payrolls as needed.

Audits Banner to ensure that employee status changes, leave accruals, and withholdings, such as taxes, deductions for benefits, charitable contributions, retirement contributions, etc., are accurately entered into Banner (HRIS System) and works with HR to ensure Banner is updated/corrected as necessary.

Monitors compensated absence accruals and works with LCC HR and the System Controller’s office to ensure that accruals are accurate.

Stays up-to-date with changes in payroll laws, regulations, best practices, and information provided by the System Office about policy and procedural changes that could impact LCC internal processes and makes necessary adjustments.

Ensures proper internal controls are in place and monitors for adherence, updating internal controls as necessary.

Fiscal Support

Assists with day-to-day financial analysis, reporting, and reconciliation, and provides oversight and guidance to the Business Office in the Controller’s absence.

Acts as a backup for the Controller and helps oversee financial accounting for the college.

Assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc financial reports; taking ownership of A/R and PCard reconciliations and preparation of journal entries for A/P check runs, student refunds, and payroll.

Ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and state fiscal rules.

Establishes and maintains internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure accuracy of financial data.

Prepares financial reports and provide accounting information to authorized individuals and departments.

Assists in reconciling the college accounting system with the Colorado Financial Reporting System (COFRS).

Assists with year-end closing of financial records and preparation of financial statements.

Coordinates and oversees billing/accounting functions for local tax boards.

Assists in training college staff on budget and fiscal policies.

Foundation Accounting

Serves as the LCC Foundation’s accountant, working closely with the LCCF Director to ensure that Foundation assets are properly managed and accounted for in Quickbooks.

Prepares and presents financial statements at LCCF Board meetings.

Assists in the audit process by providing documentation as requested.

Ensures that audited LCCF financial statements are provided to CCCS.

Competencies/KSAs:

• Financial Stewardship: Ensuring absolute accuracy in financial reporting and compliance with strict accounting standards.
• Analytical Thinking: Translating complex financial data into actionable business intelligence and strategic advice.
• Leadership & Team Development: Mentoring accounting staff, managing workloads, and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Process Optimization: Continuously improving accounting workflows, shortening the month-end close cycle, and implementing automation.

Knowledge

• Accounting Principles: Deep understanding of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) or IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), depending on the company.
• Regulatory Compliance: Solid grasp of local, state, and federal tax regulations, as well as SEC reporting requirements (for public companies).
• Internal Controls: Comprehensive knowledge of SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) compliance and internal control frameworks to prevent fraud and errors.
• Corporate Finance: Understanding of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and capital allocation.

Skills

• Financial Reporting: Preparing accurate balance sheets, income statements, and consolidated financial reports.
• Advanced ERP Systems: Proficiency in enterprise software like NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Advanced Data Analysis: Expert-level mastery of Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, macros) and data tools like Power BI or Tableau.
• Auditing: Managing internal audits and serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors.

Abilities

• Attention to Detail: Spotting minor discrepancies in massive datasets before they impact financial statements.
• Problem-Solving: Identifying the root cause of financial variances and implementing corrective actions.
• Stress Tolerance: Maintaining composure, accuracy, and focus during high-pressure periods like year-end closes or audits.
• Clear Communication: Explaining complex financial concepts to non-financial executives and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Accounting or Closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA

Eligibility and Compliance:

• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be produced within three (3) days of hire.
• LCC participates in E-Verify.
• Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
• Final candidate is subject to a criminal background check prior to final selection process.
• Final candidate is required to submit official transcripts to Human Resources within fourteen (14) days of hire.
• LCC is affiliated with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and as such, employees contribute to PERA in lieu of Social Security for retirement benefits. For more information, visit the COPERA web page.
• Former employees of the Colorado Community College System or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in your application material.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, legal, and medical transport plans
• Flexible spending and health savings account options
• Generous retirement benefits through PERA, including employer-matched retirement contributions and optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Tuition reimbursement to support your educational and professional growth
• Exceptional paid leave benefits
• A supportive, mission-driven environment where your work directly impacts students and the community
• Free employee access to our Fitness Center

Reasonable Accommodation:

Lamar Community College provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Audrey Rodriguez, Director of Human Resources, at 2401 S. Main St., Lamar, CO 81052; [phone] or [e-mail]

As an employee of, and the Colorado Community College System, this position is required to uphold and enforce the policies of LCC and CCCS, and all local, state and federal laws. This position will comply with all student privacy laws (FERPA); and is a mandatory reporter of any suspected illegal activity.