Controller

Houston Baptist University; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Christian University seeks a Controller to lead accounting operations and financial reporting for a not-for-profit higher education institution. The role ensures GAAP-compliant statements, strong internal controls, and cross-campus collaboration to strengthen financial processes and system effectiveness.

The Controller will oversee the close processes, audits, and debt/investment accounting, while guiding staff and refining policies to safeguard assets and ensure timely reporting for

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; a Master's is preferred.
• CPA certification strongly preferred.
• 10–12 years of progressive accounting experience in not-for-profit or higher education is preferred.
• Experience preparing GAAP financial statements, not-for-profit GAAP experience preferred.
• Experience with consolidation, audits, and debt reporting is expected.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end and year-end closes; ensure accurate reconciliations and journal entries.
• Prepare consolidated financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audits with external auditors.
• Maintain internal controls and accounting policies to safeguard assets.
• Oversee Accounts Payable and general accounting operations.
• Manage debt reporting and endowment/investment accounting.
• Partner with campus stakeholders to ensure consistent accounting treatments.

Skills

GAAP reporting

Not-for-profit experience

Higher education experience

Analytical communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance

Master's degree preferred

CPA preferred

Tools

Ellucian Banner Finance

ERP systems

Investment accounting concepts

Job description

Position Title

Controller

Department

Accounting Finance

Reports To

Associate Vice President for Financial Operations

FLSA Status

Exempt

Position Summary

The Controller provides leadership and hands on management of the Universitys accounting operations and financial reporting This role ensures timely accurate and GAAP compliant financial statements for a not for profit higher education institution maintains strong internal controls oversees key accounting functions including Accounts Payable and partners across campus to strengthen financial processes reporting and system effectiveness

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close Lead the month end quarter end and year end close processes; ensure accurate reconciliations journal entries and supporting schedulesPrepare and distribute a monthly financial reporting package eg consolidating P&L balance sheet cash activity budget to actual variance summaries and key metricsPrepare consolidated financial statements including footnotessupporting schedules as applicable and required debt covenant reportingProvide analytical review of revenue expense and balance sheet activity; identify trends risks and actionable recommendationsAudit Compliance and Governance Coordinate the annual financial statement audit and any required programother audits; serve as primary liaison with external auditorsMaintain and enhance internal controls and accounting policiesprocedures to safeguard University assets including restricted funds endowment grants and capital activitySupport regulatory and compliance reporting eg surveys institutional reporting and other required filings as applicableAccounting Operations Oversight Direct and oversee Accounts Payable functions to ensure accurate timely processing and compliance with policyOversee general accounting operations and services including the integrity of accounting records chart of accounts fixed assets and applicable reconciliationsPartner with campus stakeholders to ensure correct accounting treatment and consistent processesEndowment Investments Debt and Specialized Accounting Oversee recording and reporting of endowment and investment activity including fair value market to market accounting and related reportingMaintain schedules and accounting support for debt debt compliance and related reportingSupport accounting for auxiliary enterprises and any University related entities including commercial real estate interests where applicableFinancial Systems & Process Improvement Serve as a functional leader for the financial system environment; coordinate assessment of financial system needs and recommendimplement improvements eg Banner Finance configurations reporting tools workflow enhancementsEstablish and maintain accounting operations procedures user guidance and training to promote consistent practices and data integrityLeadership & Management Supervise coach and develop accounting staff; plan and schedule work to ensure coverage appropriate workload distribution and cross trainingSupport hiring performance management professional development and succession planning for the accounting teamServe on University committees and project teams as assigned; perform other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance Masters preferredCPA strongly preferred1012 years of progressive accounting experience; not for profit andor higher education experience strongly preferredDemonstrated experience preparing GAAP financial statements; experience with not for profit GAAP strongly preferredExperience preparing consolidated statements and supporting audit engagementsExperience with investment accounting and fair value concepts; experience with debt compliance reporting preferredERP experience required; Ellucian Banner Finance experience preferredStrong analytical communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively across campus; able to manage multiple deadlines

Additional Information

Houston Christian University is an independent private Christian liberal arts institution with a diverse student body It has access to all the cultural advantages of one of the largest metropolitan centers in the country For more information about the University visit hcedu The University has implemented its Ten Pillars vision hceduvision and anticipates significant growth in student enrollment and university programs The successful candidate will also be able to articulate a vision for the role of his or her discipline at HCU that is supportive of the Ten Pillars vision statement Houston Christian University is committed to maintaining a teaching faculty and staff who share an active Christian faith The Preamble to the By Laws of the University sets forth a statement of belief which each University employee is expected to support and personify Your submittal of an application for employment indicates your acceptance and affirmation of these statements The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties responsibilities and requirements of personnel