Controller

ccad; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Health, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) plan

Free campus parking

Free admission to Columbus Museum of A

Training and professional development

Job summary

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the Business Office, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and effective governance. The role reports to the CFO and supervises two accounting staff, coordinating across departments and with leadership to support CCAD’s mission.

The Controller will manage the monthly close, audit coordination, budgeting, and asset accounting, while partnering with finance and operations to optimize

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field; 5+ years of accounting/finance experience.
• CPA is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and finance staff under the CFO.
• Oversee monthly close, financial reporting, and policy enforcement.
• Coordinate external audits and annual budget processes.
• Maintain internal controls and governance over assets and liabilities.
• Manage banking relations and covenant reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Governance

Internal controls

Cross-functional collaboration

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA preferred

Job description

Controller

CCAD's Business Office is seeking an experienced accounting professional to fill the role of Controller. Ideal candidates have at least 5 years of relevant experience, are ready to lead a team of accounting and finance staff, comfortable managing projects and the needs of various stakeholders while ensuring daily activities run smoothly, are able to collaborate across departments and levels of leadership, and resolute in ensuring strong governance and internal controls. The Controller, reporting to the CFO, leads CCAD's Business Office and will manage a team of professionals committed to the mission of the college, working together in a collaborative fashion, and supporting CCAD's community of faculty, staff, and students.

Summary

The Controller is responsible for the design, maintenance, and integrity of the college’s accounting system, daily financial operations, and managing accounting and finance staff. This includes 1) developing and enforcing policies governing financial reporting and use of college assets; 2) ensuring the accounting system efficiently collects, summarizes, and reports information that facilitates making sound management decisions based on reliable financial records; 3) designing, maintaining, and testing of internal controls over financial reporting and use of institutional assets; 4) planning and executing the monthly close process and financial statement preparation; 5) coordinating annual financial and compliance audits; and 6) supporting the preparation and administration of the college’s annual budget and forecast revisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary resource for the college on generally accepted accounting principles, emerging accounting issues for non‑profit organizations, and tax matters.
• Daily cash management balancing short‑term funding needs and investment of excess cash.
• Oversight of daily transactional accounting including review and approval of accounts payable disbursements.
• Manage the month‑end close process including reconciliation of various bank and investment accounts, subledgers, and preparation of college financial statements.
• Review and reconcile student account billing with the general ledger.
• Maintain the college’s endowment accounting system and recording of restricted contributions, establishment of new funds, distributions, and monthly reporting.
• Design, maintain, and govern the college’s chart of accounts including ensuring proper account distribution for institutional expenditures.
• Manage the college’s bank relationships and coordination of covenant compliance reporting.
• Plan, prepare, and coordinate the college’s annual external audits including financial statements, Single Audit, retirement plan, and annual tax return.
• Monitor and coordinate with the Financial Aid department the reconciliation of various federal and state award programs including Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, SEOG, Perkins Loans, Ohio College Opportunity Grant, among others.
• Prepare the college’s Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP).
• Oversee billing and accounts receivable.
• Manage and supervise the accounting and finance team.
• Serve on the college’s 403b plan investment committee as a fiduciary.
• Assist with other duties and projects as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role oversees two direct reports – Associate Accountant, and Bursar.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) from a four‑year college or university; five or more years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

CPA is preferred.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Compensation

This position is full-time, exempt. Compensation is commensurate on experience and qualifications. CCAD offers a benefits package including:

• Vacation time
• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free campus cafeteria meals
• 403(b) plan with company contribution
• Paid national holidays
• Ten days paid time off for winter break
• Free campus parking
• Free admission to the Columbus Museum of Art (CMOA)
• Training and professional development opportunities

EEO Statement

Columbus College of Art & Design ("CCAD") is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual’s race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. CCAD is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment.