Controller

Williams College; Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Prairie State College seeks a Controller to direct all accounting operations, ensure accurate financial reporting, maintain internal controls, and comply with Illinois statutes and GASB standards. The role supports the CFO and leads a nine-person team.

The Controller will rebuild policies, processes, and efficiency, collaborating with departments to justify financials for new programs, large purchases, or new positions. The position presents financial material to the Board of Trustees monthly.

Qualifications

• Public-sector accounting experience required.
• GASB standards knowledge required.
• Experience managing audits.
• Experience hiring and supervising staff.
• Developing and implementing accounting policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, payroll accounting, cash receipts, and fixed assets.
• Manage timely month-end and year-end close processes.
• Maintain fund accounting structures for Illinois public community colleges.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Coordinate grant, capital project, and bond accounting compliance.

Skills

Public-sector accounting

GASB standards

Audits management

Staff supervision

Fund accounting

Financial reporting

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Active CPA certification

Tools

ERP system

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Controller

LOCATION: Prairie State College Main Building

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Controller directs and oversees the College's accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with Illinois statutes, Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) requirements, GASB standards, and applicable federal regulations. This position supports the Chief Financial Officer and plays a critical role in stewarding public funds, supporting audits, grants, and board reporting.

The Controller will come into this position at a time where there is substantial rebuilding of team, policies, processes, and efficiency. This position will require the Controller to establish and implement the baseline accounting practices within the department and across the college. The Controller, in partnership with the Business Analyst will partner with departments across the College to ensure proper financial justification is presented with any new academic program, large purchase or new position.

The Controller is expected to be the key driver of accounting process and efficiency throughout the College. This position will present policy to the Management Committee and the Cabinet and ensure any new process and or policy is presented and understood by all. This position will also prepare all the financial material presented to the Board of Trustees at their monthly meeting.

REPORTING AND SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

This position will report to the Chief Financial Officer and will have a staff of nine with four direct reports; Business Office Manager, Senior Accounting & Operations Manager, AP Specialist and Grants Manager.

DEPARTMENT:

Finance

CLASSIFICATION:

D71

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Leadership & Accounting Operations

• Oversee all accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, student accounts (Business Office), payroll accounting, cash receipts, and fixed assets.
• Manage timely month-end and year-end close processes.
• Maintain fund accounting structures consistent with Illinois public community colleges, including the Education, Operations & Maintenance, Bond & Interest, Auxiliary, and Restricted funds.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Develop financial policies related to key accounting areas, including monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes; accounts payable; cash reporting; requisitions; payroll; and from/to due-to fund transfers.
• Ensure processes follow workflows that are efficient and effective.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Coordinate ICCB fiscal reporting and ensure compliance with Illinois statutes and administrative rules.
• Coordinate the HLC reporting required for accreditation purposes.
• Coordinate the IPEDS financial components with Institutional Research.
• Ensure grant and capital project accounting compliance, including bond proceeds and state capital funds.
• Coordinate unclaimed property reporting, monitor and record the receipt of state and local tax funds, and ensure compliance with payroll tax payment and reporting requirements.

Treasury, Cash Management & Tax Administration

• Provide cash management oversight, detailing both incoming and outgoing cash projections on a weekly basis.
• Ensure billings and collections are completed on an ongoing basis and meet established objectives and metrics.
• Assess the College's property tax needs and prepare tax levy requests for CFO and Board approval.
• Manage the Working Cash account, including required withdrawals and replenishments.

Grants, Foundation & Capital Financing

• Provide oversight for the PSC Foundation's financial activities.
• Review and approve grant proposals from a budgetary standpoint, ensuring the College can support and report on the financial requirements.
• Support the preparation of bond issuance documents and statements.
• Maintain bond issue records and ensure the timely payment of bond principal and interest.

Audit & Asset Management

• Maintain fixed asset records and reconcile them to biannual inventory audits.
• Serve as the primary liaison to external auditors and coordinate PSC's and the Foundation's annual financial and single audits.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Develop, in collaboration with the CFO, the department's short- and long-range goals consistent with senior management's directives.
• Coordinate with Information Technology to ensure users are maximizing the features of the ERP system.
• Collaborate with Budget, Human Resources, Financial Aid, Purchasing, and campus leadership.
• Engage in meetings, committees, task forces, and other activities as needed to represent the College's financial perspective.

Staff Leadership & Professional Development

• Supervise accounting staff and maintain appropriate segregation of duties.
• Provide training sessions on accounting policies and other relevant topics as needed.

Other Duties

• Perform other professional and administrative duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. 1. Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
2. 2. Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible accounting experience in a higher education setting
3. 3. Active CPA certification.
4. 4. Proven public-sector accounting experience.
5. 5. Strong knowledge of GASB standards and fund accounting.
6. 6. Proven public-sector accounting experience.
7. 7. Experience managing audits
8. 8. Experience in hiring and supervising staff
9. 9. Experience in developing and implementing accounting policies and procedures