Associate Controller

Bowdoin College; Brunswick (ME); On-site; USD 124,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan (401a/403b)

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off: 20 days vacation, 12?d

Holidays and special days off

Parental leave

Job summary

Bowdoin College seeks an Associate Controller to lead the financial accounting and reporting functions, coordinate year-end close, and ensure compliance with GAAP and regulatory standards. You will supervise a team and collaborate with senior leadership to support strategic planning.

The role requires a CPA, a strong background in accounting policy, and experience guiding audits. Onsite work in Brunswick, Maine, with competitive benefits and a focus on college-wide accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• CPA designation.
• Strong technical knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting standards, and internal control frameworks.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex accounting principles and regulations.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills.
• Project management skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead the College’s financial accounting and reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate year-end close and preparation of annual financial statements and audit schedules; liaise with auditors.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and budget managers to support planning and decision-making.
• Coordinate monthly and quarterly general ledger closing; review monthly journal entries.
• Prepare and review internal financial reports and respond to external information requests.
• Document policies with Controller to identify improvements and strengthen controls.
• Supervise and mentor a team of accounting professionals.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Project management

Equity and inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Admin

CPA designation

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Associate Controller

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Posting Details

Title: Associate Controller

Posting Number: S01599JP

Department: Controllers Office

The Associate Controller serves as the College’s senior accounting leader and principal partner to the Controller, with responsibility for overseeing all financial accounting and reporting activities. This role leads general ledger operations, financial close and reporting, audit coordination, and accounting policy implementation, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with applicable standards and regulations. The position supervises a team of financial analysts and works closely with senior leadership to support institutional decision-making.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead the College’s financial accounting and reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements. Stay current of emerging accounting standards, regulatory developments, and best practices in higher education finance.
• Coordinate and oversee year end accounting close and preparation of annual financial statement and Uniform Guidance audit schedules. Work closely with the Controller to prepare annual financial statements and footnote disclosures. Serve as primary liaison with independent auditors during audits.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including senior leadership, department heads, and budget managers, to support financial decision-making and strategic planning initiatives. Provide a high level of customer service to other departments, staff, faculty, students, and parents.
• Coordinate and oversee monthly and quarterly general ledger closing activities. Review and post monthly journal entries.
• Prepare and/or review internal financial reports as needed. Respond to external requests for information, completing annual surveys and other requests as needed.
• Work with the Controller and Director of Payroll and Accounts Payable to document policies and procedure. Identify process inefficiencies and internal control weaknesses and work effectively with Controller to recommend and implement improvements.
• Work with the Controller and Director of Payroll and Accounts Payable to document policies and procedure. Identify process inefficiencies and internal control weaknesses and work effectively with Controller to recommend and implement improvements.
• Supervise and mentor a small team of accounting professionals, providing guidance, training, and professional development opportunities.

The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $124,000 - 140,000 annually

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
• Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html
• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
• Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool
• Free fitness and wellness classes!
• And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html

Education/Skills Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field. CPA designation. Strong technical knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting standards, and internal control frameworks, with the ability to interpret and apply complex accounting principles and regulations.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to analyze complex financial data and communicate findings effectively to diverse audiences.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, with a demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that values and respects differences.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

A minimum of 5 years working in an accounting/finance office; public accounting and/or experience in non-profit accounting is preferred. Proven supervisory experience leading a finance/accounting department required.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong analytical, mathematical, interpersonal, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Advanced reporting and audit skills; demonstrated understanding of complex accounting concepts.
• Experience managing others and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. This position is subject to a criminal history background check and credit check.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, with a track record of effectively leading and developing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Preferred: Prior experience in public accounting, higher education, or nonprofit environment.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

Standard administrative hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm. This is a full-time position working 40 hours/52 weeks, (1.00 FTE). This is an exempt position requiring time commitment necessary to satisfactorily complete job requirements.

Onsite - This is an on-site role, and candidates must be able to work in person on Bowdoin College Campus in Brunswick, Maine.

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Employment Category

Full Time Year Round

FTE

1.00

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Pay Type

Salaried

Background Check Package Requirements

Administrative Staff + Credit

Posting Date

08/20/2026

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

No

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?

No

Type of Posting

Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

References

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.

Supplemental Questions

1. * How did you hear about this position?
   • Indeed.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Diverse Issues in Higher Ed
   • Facebook
   • Glassdoor
   • Google Search
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • InsideHigherEd.com
   • LinkedIn
   • Twitter
   • MANP
   • Maine Job Link
   • LiveandWorkinMaine.com
   • Employee Referral
   • Bowdoin College Website
   • Radio Ad
   • TechMaine
   • NCAA
   • CASE
   • Other
2. If you answered Employee Referral or Other, please specify here:

   (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Staff & Casual contact

[e-mail]

Faculty contact

[e-mail]

(t)207-725-3837

216 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME 04011

Bowdoin College is a member of the Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine, and Live and Work in Maine.

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