Controller

North Iowa Area Community College; Mason City (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Sick leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) invites applications for a Controller to lead college-wide general accounting, grant accounting, and financial analysis. This role directs the Business Office staff and collaborates with the CFO and facilities leadership.

The Controller will oversee the general ledger, month-end close, external audits, and compliance with state and federal regulations, including Title IV funds, while guiding budgeting and financial planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance required.
• Minimum 5 years related work experience including supervisory experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong data collection, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and reconcile general ledger activity for all funds; review and approve expenditures; prepare journal entries and month-end close.
• Oversee, analyze and prepare financial reports for NIACC Board of Directors and State Department of Education.
• Monitor bank balances and cash flow; reconcile all bank accounts monthly, including investments.
• Manage federal and state grant and financial aid funds; ensure Title IV compliance.
• Coordinate year-end close; finalize accruals, bad debt, and financial aid reconciliations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership/ Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance

Tools

Excel

Job description

CONTROLLER

CATEGORY/LEVEL:

PSS/12

BASIC FUNCTION:

Directand manage all general accounting, grant accounting, and financial analysisfunctions college-wide to include financial and student accounting, auxiliaryservices, and plant fund operations. Provide leadership and direction tovarious levels of Business Office staff.

START DATE:

ASAP

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Starting salary of $69,900to $87,400 based on experience. Benefits package includes Blue Cross/BlueShield major medical health insurance; eye care, dental, life and disabilityinsurance; paid vacation and sick leave; a choice of IPERS or TIAA retirementplans, and a variety of additional optional benefits.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, orFinance plus a minimum of 5 years of related work experience, includingmanagement or supervisory experience. High proficiency with Microsoft Office,especially Excel. Strong data collection, analytical, problem-solving andcommunication skills. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Higher education, nonprofit,or public accounting experience. Experience with enterprise informationsystems.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Maintain and reconcile general ledger activity for all funds; review and/or approve expenditures; prepare journal entries and complete month-end close of accounting records.
• Oversee, analyze and prepare financial reports for the NIACC Board of Directors and the State Department of Education; provide financial information for college administration and staff.
• Monitor bank account balances and project cash flow requirements; solicit investment (CD) rate quotes as needed. Complete the reconciliation of all bank accounts monthly, including investments.
• Request and monitor federal and state grant and financial aid funds; maintain compliance with state and federal regulations governing Title IV funds and grants.
• Facilitate year-end close with the Vice President of Finance & Administration - CFO. Finalize accruals, bad debt, loan adjustments, and financial aid reconciliations. Prepare and enter year-end closing journal entries.
• Coordinate annual external audit. Assist external auditors; prepare audit work papers and maintain documentation; review, reconcile, and understand draft audit report. Distribute and submit final audit report to necessary agencies and organizations as required.
• Maintain compliance with state reporting requirements for gambling, sales tax, unclaimed property, outstanding obligations, and annual publication of salaries and expenditures.
• Supervise payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grant accounting functions of the Business Office, providing training and assistance when necessary.
• Oversee the monitoring of student accounts, including payment of accounts, management of third-party payment plans, and monitoring delinquent accounts.
• Provide management and oversight of grant-related financial activities. Maintain up-to-date policies and procedures for grant management and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Oversee financial activities of the 260E Industrial New Jobs Training Program agreements and sale of NJT certificates (bonds), the 260F Iowa Jobs Training Program following IWD approval of grant applications, and the 260G Accelerated Career Education Program.
• Assist in the coordination and maintenance of the college’s ERP system (Ellucian Colleague): finance, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and financial aid modules.
• Assist the CFO with institutional budget preparation, compilation and analysis.
• Monitor and track the expenditures for the plant fund in consultation with the CFO and Director of Facilities.
• Maintain knowledge base of relative professional regulatory pronouncements – i.e. GASB, FASB, Internal Revenue Code, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB Circulars, and Iowa Code.
• Provide leadership toward building a positive team working environment within the Business Office and across the institution.
• Embrace and support constructive change; work efficiently and effectively to improve Business Office services, processes and related college operations.
• Provide excellent customer service and establish a welcoming and trusting environment for all visitors and employees of the Business Office.
• Maintain strong organizational skills, demonstrate reliability, and communicate effectively with stakeholders. Fulfill other responsibilities as needed or assigned.
• Perform in a manner which strengthens the coordination and cooperation of all organizational components of the College, including opportunities for student recruitment.

NIACC Core Principles: All employees are expected to adhere to all NIACC policies and procedures. NIACC administration, faculty, and staff value a positive working environment and an environment of mutual respect; therefore, all employees are to maintain a positive attitude and respect for others when working with all NIACC departments, employees, students, partners, and the public.

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. NIACC is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

08/2026