Assistant Controller, Financial Reporting

Salt Lake Community College; Taylorsville (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt Lake Community College is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the college's accounting and financial reporting functions. The role requires directing managers, ensuring GAAP/GASB compliance, and aligning financial operations with the college’s long-term strategy.

The position oversees institutional, grants, and Foundation accounting, and interfaces with auditors, USHE, and the Board of Regents. The Controller will manage risk, design internal controls, and drive policies across the

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of GAAP and GASB standards.
• Experience leading a finance/accounting team.
• Experience with grant and Foundation accounting.
• Ability to prepare GAAP-compliant financial reports.
• Familiarity with Banner or a similar financial system.
• Strong risk assessment and internal control design.

Responsibilities

• Direct managers of accounting functions including general, grants, Foundation, and property control.
• Develop and manage annual budgets and monitor spending.
• Oversee year-end close and financial statements prep.
• Provide accounting policy direction and multi-year plan.
• Coordinate audits and respond to findings.
• Advise leadership on financial risk and strategy.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

GASB knowledge

Financial reporting

General ledger accounting

Internal controls

Grant accounting compliance

Leadership and management

Budgeting and resource allocation

Communication with stakeholders

Regulatory awareness

Data systems integration

Education

Master’s degree in accounting

CPA license

5–7 years of accounting experience

Progressively responsible management experience

Education/experience substitution policy understanding

Tools

Banner

ERP financial system

Microsoft Excel

Data analytics tools

Job description

Reports directly to the Controller and sets the vision, objectives and standards for the College's accounting and financial reporting function. Holds standing authority to make key decisions on accounting treatment, internal control design and resource allocation, and is accountable for the integrity of the College's financial statements. Leads the function through managers and aligns accounting operations, systems and controls with the College's long-term financial strategy. The function includes institutional accounting, financial reporting, grant and Foundation accounting, bank reconciliation, property control and fiscal compliance. Advises the Controller and Cabinet on financial risk and the accounting effects of institutional strategy and decisions, and represents the College's accounting position to external auditors, USHE and the Board of Regents. Ensures compliance with GAAP, GASB, grant and award requirements, and College policies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct managers who lead general accounting, grants accounting, Foundation accounting and property control, and supervise other professional accountants assigned to the function. Hire, train and coach managers, set their performance goals and metrics, and conduct performance appraisals. Allocate budget, staffing and technology across the function. Serve as Budget Center Manager for the various annual budgets totaling $500,000 to $700,000, with authority over resource allocation and related financial risk. Develop and manage the annual budget, approve expenditures, and review monthly budget transactions for propriety.
• Direct institutional accounting, including journal entries, reconciliations, year-end close and financial statements. Approve journal entries and ensure the accuracy and integrity of College-wide accounting data. Direct preparation of the College’s annual financial report in accordance with GAAP and GASB, USHE and other required reports, and high-level financial summaries for College leadership and USHE.
• Oversee financial reporting, monitoring, reconciliations, year-end close and fiscal compliance for grants and for the Foundation, including transactions between the Foundation and the College.
• Make final determinations on accounting treatment and internal control design for the College, with standing authority to establish accounting policies, procedures and standards across the institution. Set the direction for the accounting and financial reporting function and develop and execute its multi-year plan for accounting operations, systems and controls. Anticipate regulatory, audit and institutional changes that affect the College's reporting. Perform risk assessments and monitor College-wide compliance with financial policies, laws and regulations.
• Advise the Controller and Cabinet on financial risk, financial reporting and the accounting effects of institutional strategy and initiatives. Provide accounting analysis and recommendations in Cabinet deliberations and institutional decision-making. Represent the College's accounting position to external auditors, USHE and the Board of Regents.
• Direct accounting support for internal and external audits, resolve findings, and oversee implementation of audit recommendations. Lead accounting-related software and system decisions to ensure reconciliation and data integrity between subsidiary systems and the College’s primary financial system.

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Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced to expert knowledge of GAAP, GASB, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, internal controls and grant fiscal compliance.
• Ability to direct managers and professional staff, establish functional direction and performance metrics, and allocate budget, staffing and technology resources.
• Ability to make final accounting and internal control decisions that affect the whole College and assume accountability for the integrity of its financial statements.
• Ability to advise senior leadership and communicate complex financial information clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and execute multi-year plans for accounting operations, systems and controls, anticipate regulatory and institutional changes, and implement accounting policies and process improvements.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people with a variety of abilities and backgrounds, to maintain good working relationships across the College.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with students, employees, and members of the public from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances, including individuals with disabilities, consistent with the College's obligations under Title VI, Title VII, and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Proficiency with accounting and financial systems, including general ledger, reconciliation and data integration.

• Master’s degree in accounting.
• CPA license.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of direct, full-time, paid accounting experience.
• Progressively responsible management experience, including supervising managers or lead professional staff.
• Education and relevant experience may be substituted when the minimum qualification does not require a specific degree, license, certification, accreditation standard, or other requirement for which substitution would be inappropriate (Trade off 1:1 full-time experience/education requirement. Part-time experience can be considered on a prorated basis (Trade off 2:1)

• Governmental or higher education accounting experience.
• Foundation or nonprofit accounting experience.
• Experience applying GASB standards and preparing USHE or similar external financial reports.
• Experience with Banner or a comparable financial system.