Controller

Ringling College of Art and Design; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ringling College of Art and Design seeks a seasoned financial leader to oversee all fiscal activities under the Vice President for Finance and Administration. You will guide budgeting, accounting, and internal controls to ensure compliant, transparent, and effective operations for a private not-for-profit college.

This role requires strong GAAP knowledge, strategic budgeting, and staff leadership across multiple departments.

Qualifications

• Degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; GAAP/FASB knowledge.
• Strong accounting, budgeting, and leadership capabilities.
• Experience supervising professional staff and coordinating audits.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fiscal operations and direct annual budget development and implementation.
• Supervise accounting, treasury, and systems management units to ensure compliance.
• Lead special projects such as budget modeling and system development.
• Direct policies, controls, and external audit coordination.
• Prepare financial statements and reports for internal and external use.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Not-for-profit accounting

FASB standards

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Staff supervision

Interpersonal communication

ERP systems

Audit coordination

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Advanced degree in accounting/finance (preferred)

CPA certification (preferred)

Tools

Workday

Job description

Job Description Summary

Under the general direction of the Vice President for Finance and Administration, oversees all fiscal activities for the College. Provides budgetary and fiscal direction that ensures efficient and effective operations. Ensures compliance with College business policies and procedures, state and federal fiscal management laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.

Job Description

• Provides budgetary and fiscal direction to all departments. Supports the sound fiscal operation of the College by assisting with the timely, accurate, and comprehensive development of the annual budget and by overseeing its implementation.
• Oversees the operations of accounting, treasury, systems management, and other units assigned to this position, ensuring compliance with the College policies and procedures as well as state and federal laws and government regulations.
• Assists with and oversees special projects and assignments, such as budget modeling and major system development projects, that affect financial reporting.
• Directs development, maintenance, and execution of fiscal policies, accounting, and internal financial controls of the institution.
• Prepares all required financial statements and reports for internal and external use, as well as for audit purposes.
• Oversees the preparation of fiscal and budget reports for internal management and external agencies.
• Develops projections and analysis with recommendations and conclusions for management.
• Oversees departmental and institutional operating budgets throughout the year and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses.
• Directs the institution’s external audits from planning through completion, reports the results to the administration, and implements the resulting corrections and improvements.
• Oversees purchasing card program policies and procedures.
• Supervises assigned personnel, which includes work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; and motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, and attending professional development courses.
• Recommends and participates in the development of policies and procedures; may serve on College planning and policy-making committees.
• Ensures records systems are maintained in accordance with accounting standards.
• Advises units on improvement of current fiscal procedures, implementation of new fiscal policies, and training of accounting and administrative personnel.
• Establishes and implements short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Oversees Title IV federal funds and their monthly reconciliation.
• Fosters a cooperative environment that encourages customer-oriented staff interactions with a wide range of constituencies.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong technical knowledge of not-for-profit accounting, GAAP, and FASB standards.
• Knowledge of financial, accounting, and business operations; and modern information systems.
• Ability to interpret audit information and to institute financial policy, procedure, and/or operational corrections and modifications.
• Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Ability to supervise and train assigned staff including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations.
• Knowledge of spreadsheet software used to quantify and illustrate complex financial reports, comparisons, impacts, and/or projections.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Knowledge of college and/or public auditing policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ability to foster a cooperative environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele and/or media sources.

Education and Experience

• Degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Strong technical knowledge of not-for-profit accounting, GAAP, and FASB standards.
• Five years’ professional accounting and supervisory experience, particularly supervision of professional staff.
• Five years’ experience in the preparation and review of a variety of financial documents.
• Computing proficiency, including the use of modern information systems.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Active CPA certification.
• Experience with not-for-profit and higher education accounting, including GAAP and applicable FASB standards.
• Experience with Workday, or similar ERP or financial systems.
• Experience in a small, private higher education or non-profit organization.

Ringling College of Art and Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The College provides equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to sex, age, gender, color, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.