Assistant Vice President of Finance / Controller

Wesleyan College; Macon (GA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Wesleyan College is seeking an Assistant Vice President of Finance/Controller to oversee financial operations in a senior leadership role. Key responsibilities include managing the Business Office, ensuring compliance with GAAP, and preparing for audits. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in financial management, particularly in the higher education sector, and proficiency in relevant software like Jenzabar.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or financial management.
• Experience in higher education, especially at a small, private college, is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in GAAP and fund accounting.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations of the Business Office and supervise finance staff.
• Lead preparation for the annual audit and ensure compliance with accounting standards.
• Monitor daily cash activity and reconcile balances monthly.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Master’s degree or CPA

Tools

Jenzabar ERP system

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Wesleyan College, a four-year national liberal arts college for women and gender minorities located in Macon, Georgia about 70 miles south of Atlanta, is the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. Wesleyan’s academically challenging, inclusive environment helps prepare students to live purposeful and connected lives. A strength of this small liberal arts college is our diverse student population and our commitment to liberal arts and justice throughout our curriculum. Faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, diversity, and community.

Wesleyan College is seeking applications for an Assistant Vice President of Finance/Controller. Reporting to the Vice President of Finance/CFO, the AVP ensures the accuracy, integrity, and efficiency of all financial operations, including accounts payable and receivable, endowment tracking, audit preparation, reporting, and compliance. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the effective management and daily operation of the College’s Business Office and will lead the coordination of major financial processes through the College’s ERP system (Jenzabar), support the annual close process, and provide critical oversight of cash and collections modeling.

Key Responsibilities

Business Office Leadership

• Direct the daily operations of the Business Office and supervise Business Office finance staff.
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable functions to ensure timely and accurate processing and recording of transactions.
• Implement and uphold policies and procedures that ensure strong internal controls and compliance with accounting standards.

Audit and Compliance

• Lead preparation and coordination for the annual audit, including schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), federal and state regulations, and college policies.
• Coordinate tax-related reporting and filings, including 1098-T and 1099s.

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare and submit regular and ad hoc financial reports, including:
  • Jenzabar reports
  • Restricted fund reports
  • Federal and state reporting requirements
  • Endowment tracking and donor-specific reports
• Work closely with the VP of Finance on strategic reporting needs and data analysis for decision support.

Jenzabar System Management

• Manage key financial functions within the Jenzabar ERP system:
  • Master student billing setup and oversight
  • Prepare and update Depreciation schedules and processing
  • General ledger maintenance and year-end close activities
  • Internal and external financial report configuration

Cash Monitoring and Collections

• Monitor daily cash activity and reconcile balances monthly across institutional accounts.
• Coordinate with Financial Aid and Student Accounts to resolve billing and collections issues.

Centralized Purchasing Oversight

• Assist in policy development and oversight of centralized ordering processes to promote cost control, efficiency, and accountability.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; Master’s degree or CPA preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or financial management.
• Experience in higher education, especially at a small, private college, is strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience managing centralized procurement functions.
• Familiarity with student billing operations and higher education tuition structures.
• Demonstrated success leading an audit process in a nonprofit or educational setting.

Technical Skills and Competencies

• Proficiency in Jenzabar or similar ERP systems used in higher education finance.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, fund accounting, and restricted fund management.
• Experience with endowment accounting and donor fund compliance.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.

To Apply, upload resume, detailed letter of interest and three references with contact information.

Wesleyan College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The College supports equal employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, gender, national origin, status as a war veteran, age, disability, or any other status protected by law. Wesleyan College is a certified drug-free workplace employer. All applicants being considered for employment are required to submit to substance screening and successfully pass a criminal background check as a condition of employment. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States, individuals will be required to provide proof of identity and eligibility for employment in the United States upon acceptance of an employment offer. Due to the volume of applicants, we are unable to respond to each applicant individually. Posting may close as soon as an applicant pool is identified.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/protected veterans