Controller

Fresno Pacific University; Fresno (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Fresno Pacific University seeks a Controller to manage daily Business Office operations, ensure nonprofit GAAP compliance, and oversee budgeting and financial reporting.

The role collaborates across campuses, supports internal controls, and leads the annual audit. A hybrid work arrangement is available and the compensation aligns with market ranges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in accounting.
• 7+ years of accounting or related experience.
• Experience with IRS regulations and GAAP for non-profit organizations.
• 3+ years of supervision and leadership.
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and supervise staff within an office team.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and leadership in daily Business Office operations and all accounting functions.
• Hire, manage, develop, and evaluate Business Office staff.
• Oversee the budgeting process and monthly/annual financial reporting.
• Lead the annual audit with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain internal controls and ensure compliance with policies and regulations.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Staff leadership

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Confidentiality

Independent work

Education

Bachelors degree in accounting

Master's degree in accounting

CPA certification

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

Job description

The Controller manages the daily operations of the Business Office; ensures compliance with applicable policies and regulations, maintains appropriate internal controls, and oversees the audit; and oversees the budget process and regular financial reporting. The Controller works closely with the Vice President for Finance and collaborates with many constituents across the university.

• Provide direction and leadership in the management of daily Business Office operations and all accounting functions
• Hire, manage, develop, and evaluate Business Office staff
• Manage the accumulation and consolidation of all financial data necessary for an accurate accounting of business activities, including those of the FPU Foundation and Seminary.
• Ensure the month‑end close is timely, complete, and accurate in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Oversee daily cash management, long‑term cash flow, and use of the line of credit and make recommendations as appropriate
• Establish and grow a cash reserve as funds permit
• Assist with short- and long‑term investment options and maintain investment policies
• Ensure correct financial management of the institution’s grants, including submission of applications, reconciliations of spending and receiving reimbursement for expenditures
• Work to improve the use and quality of the department’s technology
• Participate regularly in training offered by NACUBO, AICPA, or accounting firms offering industry expertise, in order to ensure familiarity with current issues facing higher education organizations
• Serve as the University’s compliance officer in matters pertaining to the Internal Revenue Service and the institution’s 501c (3) status
• Ensure compliance with university, state, federal, and other applicable policies, procedures, and regulations
• Lead the annual audit, working with internal and external constituents to provide information needed for both the financial statement and Uniform Guidance portions of the annual audit
• Ensure timely resolution of all deficiencies and weaknesses identified in the auditor’s Management Letter
• Establish, enforce, and recommend improvements to internal controls
• Ensure compliance with bank covenants
• Formalize the budget process, oversee the annual operating budget development, and have the operating budget ready for presentation to Cabinet 30 days prior to the June Board meeting
• Oversee the annual capital budget development, and have the capital budget ready for presentation to Cabinet 30 days prior to the February Board meeting
• Work with budget managers to monitor and control expenses, and develop year‑end revenue and expense projections monthly
• Ensure periodic training and communication to departmental budget managers to assist them in managing their budgets
• Oversee the production and timely distribution of accurate and comprehensive monthly and yearly financial reports for internal review and analysis
• Coordinate and prepare state and federal financial reports
• Compile and submit other reports as requested
• Collaborate productively with Student Financial Services, Advancement, Human Resources, and other departments across campus
• Partner with the advancement office and the Foundation to gain understanding of donors’ terms of gifts and grants, both promised and received, to ensure proper accounting treatment
• Provide services and support to various departments and leaders across campus to ensure they have knowledge and tools to comply with university accounting procedures
• Advise Vice President of Finance and Business Affairs on decisions related to accounting and university business
• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding students and other employees
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University, integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities.
• Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the FPU Faith Expectations, and support the ideals and practices articulated in "The Fresno Pacific Idea"
• Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific University’s commitment to Christ-centered higher education, holistic student development, and serving diverse communities.
• Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate
• Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others
• Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset
• Other job duties as assigned

Required:

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree in accounting.
• Minimum seven years of accounting or related experience
• Experience with the application of IRS regulations and GAAP (uniformed guidance) for non-profit organizations
• Three or more years’ experience in staff supervision and leadership
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and supervise support staff and work as part of an office team
• Ability to interpret institution policies, plans, objectives, rules and regulations, and communicate the interpretation to others
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and make independent decisions
• Ability to analyze complex financial information
• Ability to think critically and to problem solve
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Preferred:

• Master’s degree plus current CPA
• Experience in a college or university setting
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague software
• Experience with trust accounting

Environmental Conditions:

• Hybrid work schedule to be determined with the CFO & VP of Business Affairs
• Indoors in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation, up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:

• This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light to moderate noise associated with business office equipment. The position may involve travel for meetings and events.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: remain in a stationary position 80 % of the time, be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets/office machinery etc., operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members and be able to read a computer screen and paper documents.
• Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

$110,000 to $170,000 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, FPU offers a competitive benefits package.

Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at [e-mail] . As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.