Controller (52153)

New Mexico Highlands University; Las Vegas (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Highlands University is seeking a senior finance leader in Las Vegas, NM to direct the accounting, payroll, and student accounts offices. The role ensures integrity of financial assets, timely reporting, audits, and compliance with GASB/GAAP.

You will manage staff, collaborate with departments, and oversee cash management and external communications with funding agencies. The position requires a Bachelor's in Accounting, 5 years' related experience, and preferred CPA.

Qualifications

• Education required: Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
• CPA license preferred.
• Five years of accounting/finance experience.
• Experience with Banner and higher education environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Business Office; supervise and evaluate staff.
• Direct General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Student Accounts.
• Collaborate with university departments on financial matters.
• Maintain accounting records and banking relationships.
• Coordinate with Research & Sponsored Projects on restricted funds.
• Assist with external audits and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with GASB/GAAP and CFR standards.
• Lead staffing plans and ensure proper internal controls.
• Maintain Banner Finance module and monthly GL reviews.
• Provide data analysis and reporting to stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

GAAP / GASB

Audits

Budgeting

Staff management

Communication

Internal controls

Financial analysis

Excel / Microsoft 365

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA license

Tools

Banner

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Las Vegas, NM 87701

Position Type: Full Time -Reg

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree

Salary Range: $78,790.40 Salary

Travel Percentage: Up to 25%

Job Category: Staff

Description

The primary purpose of this position is to lead and manage theaccounting, payroll, and student accounts departments. Thisposition is responsible for the integrity of the University’sfinancial assets, providing accurate and timely financialinformation (e.g., audits, tax filings, grants, accounts payable,student accounts, etc.) to internal and external constituents,billing and collecting tuition, and leading and developingstaff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee Business Office; train, supervise, mentor and evaluatestaff.
• Direct and supervise the functions of General Accounting,Accounts Payable, Payroll, University Receivables, Student AccountsReceivable, and supports Grants & Contracts Accountingactivities.
• Collaborate with all university departments on all financialrelated matters.
• Supervises the maintenance of all accounting records, bankaccounts, receipting and disbursing of all university funds.
• Coordinates with Office of Research & Sponsored Projects onprograms supported by restricted funds to ensure the propermanagement of such funds.
• Review and approve transactions in Emburse as required.
• Assist in the external audits of the University’s financialstatements and other audits.
• Monitor and maintain cash balances. Perform wire transfers,debt payments, and other wire and ACH transactions.
• Design, establish, and maintains an organizational structureand staffing plan to effectively achieve department goals andobjectives; directs the recruitment, development, performancemanagement, and evaluation of divisional staff.
• Oversee the Banner Finance module.
• Reviews unrestricted General Ledger each month for possibleover-expenditure, anomalies and errors.
• Serves as primary liaison with representatives of externalfunding agencies and organizations, as appropriate; providesspecial data and analysis.
• Recommends and participates in the development of universitypolicies and procedures; may serve on university planning andpolicy-making committees.
• Establish open lines of communication with other NM RegionalUniversities.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the organization'saccounting, financial reporting, and compliance functions, ensuringadherence to GASB, GAAP, federal and state regulations, OMB UniformGuidance, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), grant compliancerequirements, and other applicable accounting standards andregulatory requirements.
• Maintain bank account administration and user access controlsin coordination with the Vice President for Finance andAdministration (VPFA), including establishing, monitoring, andupdating authorized users, transaction limits, approvalhierarchies, and security controls to safeguard universityassets.
• Manage relationships and communications with the university'sfinancial institutions and external banking partners, negotiatingservices, resolving operational issues, coordinating accountadministration, and supporting the University's cash management,financing, and treasury functions.
• Maintains regular attendance.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Bachelor’s degreein related fields may be considered.

• PREFERENCE:

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

• EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of experience that is directlyrelated to the duties and responsibilities specified.

• PREFERENCE:

• Work experience in Higher Education.

• Experience with Banner.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays, oddhours, and emergency calls.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of software to quantify and illustrate complexfinancial reports, comparisons, impacts, and/or projections.
• Knowledge of and experience in business management, withemphasis in general ledger, budgeting, accounts payable,information systems, GAAP, FASB and GASB.
• Demonstrated success in providing leadership and supervision ofstaff and projects.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to make timely decisions on accounting matters.
• Ability to work with governmental agencies and regulatorybodies.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations andprocedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing newstrategies and procedures.
• Knowledge of organizational structure, workflow, and operatingprocedures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the abilityto work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in adiverse community.
• Knowledge of internal control frameworks, risk assessmentpractices, and audit processes, including financial statementaudits, single audits, and compliance audits.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Ability to gather data and analyze information, and preparereports, including financial statements.
• Ability to review and evaluate fiscal and other impacts oflegislative initiatives.
• Ability to train employees in areas related to duties.
• Ability to communicate technical information to nontechnicalaudiences, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgmentin handling sensitve information.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of management,staff, and employees.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, including financial modeling,reporting, and data analysis.