Controller

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Notre Dame (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Controller for the College’s Business Office in Notre Dame, Indiana. This full-time position demands leadership in financial operations, annual budget preparation, and compliance with audits. Candidates should possess a CPA and at least 7 years of relevant experience. Strong teamwork, communication skills, and an understanding of the College's mission are essential.

The role offers an opportunity to influence financial strategy and provide critical reports to the Executive Vice President & COO.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in accounting leadership preferably within higher education.
• Experience managing audit processes and external financial reporting.
• Must have strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounts receivable, payable, payroll and reporting.
• Develop and implement the College’s annual budgeting process.
• Serve as the primary liaison to external independent auditors.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

CPA preferred

7+ years of experience in accounting leadership

Tools

Jenzabar One

Integrated accounting systems

Job description

Purpose

The Controlleris responsible forday-to-dayleadershipof the College’s Business Office staff and operations.This includes annual budgetpreparation,internal andexternal reporting, andrelationship management with the Business Office’s external partners.The Controller reports to theExecutiveVice President&COO.

Typical Schedule

This is a full-time position with normal workdays Monday through Friday.Extended hours and a flexible schedule may be necessary to meet deadlines and project requirements of thecollegeincluding occasional weekends.

Leadership Expectations and Opportunities

• Anunderstandingof Holy Cross College’s Catholic identity and educational mission. Anappreciation for howresourcefulleadershipof the Business Office, and partnershipwith the College’sBoardof Trustees, President, and Executive Council,supportsand advancesthe College’s strategicplanand operational priorities.
• Lead development and implementation of the College’s annualbudgeting process and preparation of annual College and area budgets.
• Work closely with theEVP&COOin developingannual and multi-yearfinancial plansto support the College’seducational mission,strategicplan, and operational priorities.
• Serve as the College’s primary liaison to external independent auditor(s)and coordinate the College’s reportingand deliverable requirements as part of external audit processes
• Working with the Finance Committee (of the College’s Board of Trustees)alongwith the College’s leadership, periodically review the College’s Endowment and Investment Distribution Policy and recommendappropriate revisions.
• Monitor the College’s policies and internal controls for the College’s accounting, business, and financial operations.Makerecommendationsto theEVP & COO regardingappropriate improvementsor revisions.
• In collaboration with Student Accounts/Bursar, develop and recommend student billing, payment, andcollectionpolicies and practices.
• Provide periodic updatesto key constituenciesonthe College’sbudget and financial performance.

Analysis,Reporting, and Compliance

• Provide theEVP&COOwith regular reports on investment banking, cash management, accountsreceivable and payable.
• Responsible for cash monitoring and reporting activities.
• Proactively provide periodic updates on financial analysis of student tuition, fees, housing, tuition discount, investments, and expenses.
• Managefinancial statement reporting andmonitoringtocomply withthird party compliance such as banks, financial institutions,accreditors, U.S. Department of Education,and theState of Indiana

Supervision and Other Duties

• Complete oversight of all accounts receivable, payable, collection, payroll and development accounts and reporting.
• SuperviseBusiness Office staff and daily operations, including but not limited to accounting, accounts payable/receivable, student accounts, and purchasing.
• Keeps abreast of current trends and practices inhigher education, especiallybusiness and financial operations
• Responsible for Private Grant management
• Responsible for federal and state grants including drawdowns.
• Assumes other special activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.

Education, Skills, and Ability

• CPApreferred
• Minimum of7years’ recent experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller orAccounting leadership positionpreferably withinhigher educationand/ornot forprofitindustry with responsibility for accounts, reporting, budgeting, costaccountingand finance.
• Experience managing the auditprocesswhich includes coordination of staff and audit schedulepreparationandexternal financial statement preparation.
• Knowledge of fully integrated accounting systems and well-developed financial analysis capabilities.Experience with Jenzabar One preferred.
• Assuresthat effective communications aremaintainedwithin areas of responsibility and whereappropriate, informs employees as to plans and progress.
• Position requires ahighly motivatedperson who takes initiative and works with minimal supervision.
• Must havesound leadership,administrativeandsupervisoryexperience.
• Must be a“hands-on”,well-organized, team player withgood communicationskills both written and verbal.
• Must have strong customer service skills tointeract with a diverse group of employees,studentsand families.
• Must have strong analytical and reasoning abilities.
• A desire to embrace, enhance, and support Holy Cross College’sCatholic identity and educational mission.