Assistant Controller

University of California - Los Angeles Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 242,000 - 404,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Los Angeles Health is seeking an Assistant Controller to lead core accounting functions within the Controller's Office, ensuring accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and audit readiness.

You will oversee General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Treasury/Cashiering, and Gift Administration through skilled managers, collaborating with IT and university stakeholders to optimize financial systems and processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA license is required.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible accounting/financial reporting experience.
• 5+ years of management experience directing accounting or finance functions.
• Knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Treasury/Cashiering, and Gift Administration through subordinate managers.
• Direct monthly and year-end close activities and review financial statements for accuracy.
• Maintain effective internal controls and documentation.
• Develop and update departmental policies to strengthen compliance and efficiency.
• Coordinate external and internal audit activities and resolve findings promptly.
• Review reconciliations of cash, receivables, payables, and fund balances.
• Collaborate with IT and stakeholders on accounting systems and process improvements.
• Provide financial analyses and guidance to leadership.
• Manage staffing, budget, and succession planning.

Skills

General Accounting

Accounts Payable

Treasury/Cashiering

Gift Administration

Regulatory Compliance

Internal Controls

Audit Readiness

Financial Reporting

Process Improvement

Cross-functional Collaboration

Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

ERP Systems

General Ledger Platforms

Reporting Tools

Job description

Financial Services

Provide management and operational leadership for key accounting functions within the Controller's Office, including General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Treasury/Cashiering, and Gift Administration. As the Assistant Controller, you will support accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, internal controls, audit readiness, and effective financial operations through subordinate managers and cross-functional partnerships. This role collaborates with Finance, operational departments, Information Technology, and University stakeholders to resolve accounting issues, strengthen financial stewardship, improve processes, and support organizational objectives.

In this role, you will:

• Lead General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Treasury/Cashiering, and Gift Administration functions through subordinate managers to support effective financial operations.
• Direct monthly and year-end close activities and review revenues, expenses, statistical data, financial statements, management reports, and supporting analyses for accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain effective internal financial controls, including safeguarding assets, segregation of duties, adequate documentation, management review processes, and compliance with accounting standards.
• Develop, implement, and update departmental policies and procedures for assigned areas of responsibility to strengthen consistency, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Coordinate external and internal audit activities, manage audit requests, and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Review reconciliation activities involving cash, receivables, payables, fund balances, and other financial transactions to support financial accuracy and integrity.
• Collaborate with Information Technology and operational stakeholders on accounting, reimbursement, financial reporting systems, system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process redesign efforts.
• Conduct financial analyses, evaluate operational and financial trends, identify risks and improvement opportunities, and provide accounting guidance and recommendations to leadership.
• Direct subordinate managers, establish departmental goals, manage staffing and budgetary resources, support recruitment and succession planning, and promote accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Salary Range:

$167,100 to $403,900 annually

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certified Public Accountant license is required.
• 10 or more years of progressively responsible accounting, financial reporting, finance, or healthcare accounting experience.
• 5 or more years of management experience directing accounting or finance functions through managers, supervisors, or professional staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, financial reporting practices, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate financial data, identify issues, assess financial risks, and recommend solutions.
• Working knowledge of financial systems, enterprise resource planning systems, general ledger platforms, and reporting tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead process improvement initiatives, support change management efforts, and strengthen reporting accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and internal controls.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and build collaborative relationships with leaders, operational departments, and external stakeholders.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Certified Management Accountant certification is preferred.
• Healthcare Financial Management Association certification, such as CRCR, CHFP, or FHFMA, is preferred.