Associate Vice President for Fiscal Services/Controller

Winthrop University; Rock Hill, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Winthrop University seeks an Associate Vice President for Fiscal Services/Controller to lead fiscal operations and compliance. You will supervise accounting, budgeting, payroll, and related services, and ensure GAAP-compliant reporting and audit readiness.

Reporting to the VP for Finance and Business Affairs, you will design processes, drive improvements, and collaborate across campus to support the university's strategic plan.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
• Seven years of experience in finance, accounting, budget management or related field.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience leading annual financial statement preparation and managing audit requests or auditing financial statements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct and administer the university's financial operations including accounting, budgeting, payroll and purchasing.
• Provide supervisory leadership to accounting services, accounts payable, budget services, payroll services, post-award management and student financial services.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and timely external/internal reporting.
• Develop policies and internal controls aligned with GAAP and regulations to support the university's strategic plan.
• Lead annual financial statement preparation and coordinate external audits.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Government accounting standards

Budget management

Financial reporting

Leadership

Communication skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

ERP familiarity

Education

Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Business intelligence tools

Job description

Associate Vice President for Fiscal Services/Controller

Winthrop Position Title Associate Vice President for Fiscal Services/Controller

State Title

State Title Associate Vice President

State Class Code

State Class Code UC61

State Pay Table

Annual Salary/Hiring Range $144,458; actual salary depends on qualifications.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs, the Associate Vice President/Controller ( AVP /C) provides fiscal leadership and strategic oversight of financial accounting, university business and budgeting processes, and control compliance.

• Designs and implements systems and processes based on best practices to support the university’s mission and strategic plan;
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and the timely submission of internal and external reports;
• Fosters a commitment to continuous improvement and outstanding service and works to strengthen collaboration across campus and with external constituencies; and
• Provides supervisory leadership to accounting services, accounts payable, budget services, payroll services, post-award management and student financial services.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
• Seven years of experience in finance, accounting, budget management or related field.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience leading annual financial statement preparation and managing audit requests or auditing financial statements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant ( CPA ) credential.
• At least five years of experience directing or managing fund accounting and working with GASB accounting and financial reporting standards and FASB reporting, preferably at an institution of higher education.
• At least seven years of supervisory experience with a team.
• Recent experience implementing or optimizing Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) systems, business software, and/or business intelligence tools.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Summary

• Expert knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) and government accounting standards and regulations.
• Working knowledge of the taxes normally associated with a public institution of higher education.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex guidelines, rules, and regulations.
• Strong financial skills and proven ability to plan and manage operating and capital budgets and support a data-driven decision model.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically and develop a vision for long-range planning.
• Proven leader and manager who knows how to motivate a team, support their professional development, and create a productive work environment.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to make effective oral and written presentations at the executive level.
• Must be detail-oriented, possess exceptional time-management and organizational skills, and be committed to delivering work on assigned schedules.
• Strong commitment to transparency, follow through, and customer service and the ability to monitor and evaluate service quality.
• Familiarity with higher education operations and proficiency with ERP systems common to higher education.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization.

Job Summary

Financial Operations Leadership and Compliance

• Plans, directs and administers the university’s financial operations, including accounting, post award management, accounts payable, payroll, fixed-asset accounting, resource planning and allocation, budget management, purchasing, P-Card administration, risk management, cash management, cashiering, student billing and accounts receivable.
• Builds and maintains effective, high-functioning, cross-relational teams within the fiscal operations units.
• Anticipates and leads change with understanding; considers various perspectives and uses appropriate tools to make informed changes and implement them effectively and efficiently.
• Establishes and maintains policies, procedures, systems and internal controls that are based on best practices, support the university’s strategic plan and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
• Anticipates changes in laws, rules, regulations and standards affecting higher education and ensures compliance accordingly.
• Works with Information Technology to ensure that applicable ERP modules are updated, tested and functioning as intended.

Financial Planning and Reporting

• Maintains accounting control over all of the university’s financial accounts and ensures the integrity of financial data.
• Prepares the university’s annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP .
• Meets external reporting requirements and deadlines, including but not limited to, those mandated by federal and state regulations, the IPEDS Survey and the Board of Trustees.
• Works with the Budget Office to develop annual budgets and calculate and negotiate the university’s F&A and fringe benefit rates.
• Oversees the annual audit and serves as the point of contact for any institutional audit.
• Provides ad hoc analysis and reporting.

Leadership and Strategic Vision

• Fosters a culture of customer service and high standards of care.
• Prepares long-range financial, organizational and capital project plans and advises on their impacts.
• May serve as delegated authority to liaise with trustees, government and other external entities to perform relationship management and enhance data flow and communication.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building

• Understands the needs of key customers and provides them with the financial and procedural information that allows them to make informed decisions and achieve their financial, strategic and operational goals.
• Ensures a customer-service-oriented billing and collection system for student accounts and deposit system for all university cash.
• Develops training for internal customers related to accounting and budget systems.

Travel/Overtime Requirements

Telecommuting

Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting/remote work at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with Winthrop policies.

License/Certification

License/Certification CPA preferred.

Type of Position

Type of Position Unclassified

Position Status

Position Status Full-Time

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Hours Per Week 37.5

Months per Year 12

Posting Number

Posting Number 2027035S

Open Date

Open Date 10/12/2026

Close Date

Close Date 10/18/2026

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Given the qualifications and requirements outlined in the vacancy notice, list your relevant skills and experience.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Describe your supervisory experience, including the number of direct reports, and summarize your management style.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Describe in detail your experience auditing or preparing financial statements.

  (Open Ended Question)