Controller

Soni; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Soni, a leading private higher education institution in New York, seeks an accomplished finance executive to oversee enterprise-wide financial operations and modernization. You will report to the CFO, strengthen financial infrastructure, and provide strategic insights to senior leadership.

You will lead diverse teams, advance automation and analytics, manage audits and regulatory reporting, and guide capital planning and investments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• CPA, CIA, or CMA certification.
• 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including 5+ years of managing teams of 10+.
• Significant nonprofit accounting and finance leadership experience.
• Experience partnering with executives, boards, auditors, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in financial controls, reporting, treasury, cash management, and institutional finance.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, financial reporting, AP, payroll, purchasing, treasury, grants, and restricted-fund accounting.
• Oversee finance teams supporting multiple campuses and institutional operations.
• Strengthen financial controls, reporting, processes, and service delivery.
• Drive automation, AI, analytics, and technology-enabled improvements.
• Manage external audits, regulatory and tax reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Oversee banking, investments, liquidity, cash management, debt, and financial relationships.
• Lead financial administration of real estate, leases, capital projects, and related transactions.
• Partner with budgeting and planning teams on forecasting, modeling, scenario analysis, and capital planning.
• Provide financial oversight of retirement plans, endowment and investment activities.
• Partner with IT, HR, Legal, and senior administration on ERP systems, cybersecurity, benefits, risk, and enterprise initiatives.
• Develop financial policies and procedures and strengthen institutional risk management.
• Prepare analyses and materials for executive leadership, the Board, and Finance, Audit, and Investment committees.
• Lead special projects and serve as a trusted financial advisor across the institution.

Skills

Financial leadership

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

MBA or advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

Workday Finance

PeopleSoft

ERP systems

Job description

A leading private higher education institution is seeking an accomplished finance executive to oversee enterprise-wide financial operations and support its next phase of growth and modernization.

Reporting to the CFO, this leader will strengthen financial infrastructure, develop high-performing teams, improve systems and processes, and provide senior leadership with strategic financial insight.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, financial reporting, AP, payroll, purchasing, treasury, grants, and restricted-fund accounting.
• Oversee finance teams supporting multiple campuses and institutional operations.
• Strengthen financial controls, reporting, processes, and service delivery.
• Drive automation, AI, analytics, and technology-enabled improvements.
• Manage external audits, regulatory and tax reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Oversee banking, investments, liquidity, cash management, debt, and financial relationships.
• Lead financial administration of real estate, leases, capital projects, and related transactions.
• Partner with budgeting and planning teams on forecasting, modeling, scenario analysis, and capital planning.
• Provide financial oversight of retirement plans, endowment and investment activities, and related governance.
• Partner with IT, HR, Legal, and senior administration on ERP systems, cybersecurity, benefits, risk, and enterprise initiatives.
• Develop financial policies and procedures and strengthen institutional risk management.
• Prepare analyses and materials for executive leadership, the Board, and Finance, Audit, and Investment committees.
• Lead special projects and serve as a trusted financial advisor across the institution.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CIA, or CMA certification.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible finance experience, including 5+ years managing teams of 10 or more.
• Significant nonprofit accounting and finance leadership experience.
• Experience partnering with executives, boards, auditors, and other senior stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in financial controls, reporting, treasury, cash management, and institutional finance.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and retain high-performing teams.
• Strong judgment and discretion with confidential information.

Preferred

• MBA, M.S., or related advanced degree.
• Higher education or complex nonprofit experience.
• Treasury expertise or certification.
• Knowledge of NACUBO guidance and Department of Education reporting.
• Experience with Workday Finance, PeopleSoft, Canvas, or similar enterprise systems.
• Experience using AI, automation, and analytics to improve finance operations.

Compensation: $180,000-200,000

Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications.