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. Reporting to the CFO, the candidate will strengthen financial infrastructure, develop high-performing teams, improve systems and processes, and provide strategic financial insight.

Responsibilities include managing accounting, treasury, grants, real estate, audits, and capital planning; driving automation and analytics; and partnering with IT,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required or equally relevant field.
• CPA, CIA, or CMA certification required or equivalent credential.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible finance experience including 5+ years leading teams.
• Significant nonprofit accounting and finance leadership experience.
• Proven ability to partner with executives, boards, auditors and senior stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in financial controls, reporting, treasury and cash management.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and retain high-performing teams with judgment.
• Discretion with confidential information in a high-stakes environment.

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 relationships.
• Lead financial administration of real estate, leases, capital projects, and related transactions.
• Partner on budgeting and planning—forecasting, modeling, scenario analysis, capital planning.
• Provide oversight of retirement plans, endowment, investments, and governance.
• Collaborate with IT, HR, Legal, and senior administration on ERP systems and risk.
• Develop policies and strengthen institutional risk management.
• Prepare analyses and materials for executive leadership, the Board, and committees.
• Lead special projects and act as trusted financial advisor across the institution.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic financial planning

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Nonprofit accounting

Regulatory & controls

Communication

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA/CIA/CMA certification

MBA or related advanced degree

Tools

Workday Finance

PeopleSoft

Canvas

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.