Comptroller

Erie Community College; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 78,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health plan

Wellness initiatives

Tuition-free courses for employees and

families

Job summary

SUNY Erie Community College seeks a seasoned Comptroller to lead fiscal operations within the Administration & Finance department. You will supervise accounting, budgeting, grants, and assets, ensuring accurate reporting and strong internal controls.

The role requires strategic financial leadership in a complex higher education environment. The Comptroller partners with campus leadership to prepare budgets, coordinates external reporting, and ensures compliance with FASB, GASB, SUNY policies,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Accounting with finance emphasis.
• Six years of responsible accounting/finance experience.
• Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills; knowledge of fiscal operations in education.

Responsibilities

• Manage fiscal operations and supervise accounting, budget, contracts, grants, and fixed assets.
• Develop and maintain institutional accounting systems and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with FASB, GASB, SUNY, NYS, and grant regulations.
• Coordinate annual budgeting with College leadership.
• Prepare financial statements and reports for auditors and state bodies.

Skills

GASB knowledge

Workday knowledge

GAAP knowledge

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Accounting

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

Department: Executive Vice President for Administration & Finance

Salary/Hourly $87,000.00

Union/Position Status: SES

Posting Closing Date: October 2, 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Comptroller reports to the Chief Financial Officer or other Financial Leadership position and performs fiscal operations and has responsibility for maintaining financial accounts and funds in accordance with the established accounting procedures of SUNY and the New York State Department of Education and in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations; participates in formulating policies and programs that affect accounting operations of the College; acts as College liaison in accounting matters with other departments, the college’s auditors, and outside agencies. Supervises certain accounting and clerical personnel; performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Responsible for all fiscal operations and the supervision of personnel in the financial departments of Accounting, Budget, Contracts, Grants, and Fixed Assets as well as Account Receivable (student/non-student) and Accounts Payable.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining institutional accounting systems and functions to ensure general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets, reconciliations, grants financial management, capital asset, and all internal and external financial reporting systems.
• Ensures all accounting and reporting is conducted in compliance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), State University of New York, New York State, and other applicable grant awards, laws, and regulations.
• Evaluates and coordinates compliance with regulatory and institutional requirements as well as its mission as they relate to transparency, budgets, policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Works closely with Campus Leadership to prepare and recommend an annual budget for the College, inclusive of appropriate revenues, spending and required spending controls.
• Responsible for financial reporting of the College, including preparation of annual financial statements for independent auditors, annual budget and financial reports to SUNY and New York State Comptroller’s Office, monthly reports to the College Board of Trustees, and other external or internal reports needed in support of operational decisions.
• Develop and recommend to the Chief Financial Officer long range plans for provision and improvement of services including budget projections and general fiscal operations and implement in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer as approved.
• Assist with cash management program to include investments decision making, recordkeeping and reporting, cash flow planning, and all aspects of banking business and reconciliations.
• Support Accounts Payable Department and all issues related to the payment of vendors in accordance with institutional guidelines.
• Support all financial aspects, in person and on-line, as it relates to the student registration process and all related accounting and internal controls in coordination with the Bursar and Associate Bursar.
• The Comptroller is the fiscal liaison with the College’s independent auditors, New York State Comptroller and/or other fiscal entities and all coordination of data, reporting etc. related to such audits.
• Acting as the Assistant Treasurer for the College, assist the Chief Financial Officer or other Financial Leadership Position in the authorization of all student and vendor disbursements.
• Develop an operational plan that measurably supports the College’s strategic plan and also involves each employee within areas of supervision.
• Ensure cross training of staff and recommends changes in department structure to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Conduct departmental assessments and unit plans in compliance with institutional goals and objectives.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer or other Financial Leadership position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Comprehensive knowledge of theory and practices of governmental and collegiate accounting and auditing; comprehensive knowledge of modern methods of maintaining and checking financial accounts and records; comprehensive knowledge of principles and procedures of bookkeeping; thorough knowledge of business arithmetic and English; good knowledge of legislation governing maintenance of financial records; ability to examine account-keeping procedures and to install revised accounting systems; ability to supervise a group of assistants in the preparation and maintenance of financial records and reports; good working knowledge of and familiarity with GASB and its application to the college; excellent computer skills, including the experience and ability to work with the college’s computer operating system, (Workday software knowledge preferred) as well as knowledge of and experience with the Microsoft Office Suite applications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a regionally accredited, registered four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting; or other related field with finance or business emphasis and six years of responsible experience in accounting or finance and related financial systems.

A relevant master’s degree is strongly preferred at point of hire. If the successful applicant has a bachelor’s degree, attainment of the master’s degree is expected within the initial five years of employment.

Knowledge of fiscal operations at a Community College or other educational institution with a thorough understanding of General Ledger and Fund Accounting.

Strong interpersonal communication, organizational, and supervisory skills.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Official transcripts will be required for successful candidates within 30 days of hire. Contact Human Resources at [phone] with any questions.

Our mission to offer quality education includes exposing our students to a diverse range of cultures, experiences and expertise. At SUNY Erie Community College, we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

SUNY Erie Community College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or in the administration of any of its policies and programs on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran status, criminal conviction, or any other characteristics protected by law. This applies to all students, applicants or other members of the College community (including, but not limited to, vendors and visitors).

Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting the office listed below. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint, serves as a witness, or assists or participates in the investigation of a complaint in any manner is strictly prohibited. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies: Civil Rights Compliance Officer Legal Affairs Office North Campus 6205 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 [e-mail] For further information on notice of non-discrimination, please contact: New York Office United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10005-25010; Tel [phone]; Email: [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employment / Aff…

Ideal employees will be committed to facilitating the College’s student-first experience and career-focused education; and will embrace its mission to enrich its host communities through skill, service and partnership.

Benefits and Perks

• Excellent health and benefits packages are comparable to offerings through similar county and New York State positions.
• Employees can take advantage of the College’s expansive Health & Wellness initiatives; and tuition-free college courses are available for both employees and their families.

SUNY Erie Fast Fact Sheet