Associate Controller

Bowdoin College; Maine; On-site; USD 124,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance plans

Retirement plan

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Facilities access

Free fitness classes

Job summary

Bowdoin College seeks an Associate Controller to serve as the College's senior accounting leader and partner to the Controller. You will oversee financial accounting, general ledger operations, close, and reporting to ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance.

This role leads a small team, coordinates audits, and works with senior leaders to support institutional decision-making, policy implementation, and process improvements, with a commitment to equity and inclusion.

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.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills; able to convey complex data to diverse audiences.
• Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial accounting and reporting, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate year-end close and audit schedules; liaise with independent auditors.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, department heads, and budget managers to support financial decision-making.
• Oversee monthly and quarterly general ledger closing and journal entries.
• Prepare and review internal financial reports; respond to external information requests.
• Document policies with Controller; identify inefficiencies and drive improvements.
• Supervise and mentor accounting professionals.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Audit coordination

Leadership

Policy implementation

Analytical

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

CPA designation

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Associate Controller

Posting Number: S01599JP

Department: Controllers Office

Job Summary: The Associate Controller serves as the College's senior accountingleader and principal partner to the Controller, with responsibilityfor overseeing all financial accounting and reporting activities.This role leads general ledger operations, financial close andreporting, audit coordination, and accounting policyimplementation, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance withapplicable standards and regulations. The position supervises ateam of financial analysts and works closely with senior leadershipto support institutional decision-making.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead the College's financial accounting and reportingfunctions, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance withaccounting principles and regulatory requirements. Stay current ofemerging accounting standards, regulatory developments, and bestpractices in higher education finance.
• Coordinate and oversee year end accounting close andpreparation of annual financial statement and Uniform Guidanceaudit schedules. Work closely with the Controller to prepare annualfinancial statements and footnote disclosures. Serve as primaryliaison with independent auditors during audits.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including seniorleadership, department heads, and budget managers, to supportfinancial 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 ledgerclosing activities. Review and post monthly journal entries.
• Prepare and/or review internal financial reports as needed.Respond to external requests for information, completing annualsurveys and other requests as needed.
• Work with the Controller and Director of Payroll and AccountsPayable to document policies and procedure. Identify processinefficiencies and internal control weaknesses and work effectivelywith Controller to recommend and implement improvements.
• Work with the Controller and Director of Payroll and AccountsPayable to document policies and procedure. Identify processinefficiencies and internal control weaknesses and work effectivelywith Controller to recommend and implement improvements.
• Supervise and mentor a small team of accounting professionals,providing guidance, training, and professional developmentopportunities.

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 daysof 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 includingthe 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, BusinessAdministration, or related field. CPA designation. Strong technicalknowledge of GAAP, financial reporting standards, and internalcontrol frameworks, with the ability to interpret and apply complexaccounting principles and regulations.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, andproblem-solving abilities, with the capacity to analyze complexfinancial data and communicate findings effectively to diverseaudiences.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, with theability to build and maintain effective relationships with internaland external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Proven project management skills, with the ability to managemultiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, with a demonstrated abilityto foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that valuesand respects differences.
• Preferred: Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, BusinessAdministration, or related field.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; stronganalytical, mathematical, interpersonal, organizational, andcustomer service skills.
• Advanced reporting and audit skills; demonstrated understandingof complex accounting concepts.
• Experience managing others and the ability to workcollaboratively in a team environment. This position is subject toa criminal history background check and credit check.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, with a track record ofeffectively leading and developing teams, fostering a culture ofcollaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Preferred: Prior experience in public accounting, highereducation, or nonprofit environment.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this postingto 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 candidatesmust 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 notlimited to: criminal records, educational verifications, drivingrecords (when job-related), and/or credit history (when jobrelated).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home totalented 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 supportof an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich andcontribute to the College's multifaceted diversity. We value acommunity in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmlywelcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to theliberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin's reputation as apreeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of itsfaculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense ofcommunity; and connections to the people, history, and naturalbeauty of Maine.

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

Shift:

Employment Category: Full Time Year Round

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Pay Type: Salaried

Background Check Package Requirements: Administrative Staff+ Credit

Is driving a Bowdoin vehicle an essential function of thisjob?:

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?: No

Posting Date: 08/20/2026

Applications Accepted Until:

Open Until Filled: No

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal andstate laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment,admission, or access to its educational or extracurricularprograms, activities, or facilities based on race, color,ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, maritalstatus, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, oragainst qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protectedstatuses.