Controller & Assistant Treasurer

Barnard College; United States; On-site; USD 240,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnard College seeks a Controller & Assistant Treasurer to manage the college’s general accounting, financial reporting, treasury, and compliance functions. You will lead the preparation of audited financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with GAAP, and coordinate monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.

You will oversee tax compliance, liaise with auditors and regulators, and supervise treasury operations, debt reporting, and endowment accounting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA designation required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial leadership experience.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit environments is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience leading financial statement audits and managing complex accounting operations.
• Familiarity with endowment accounting and sponsored programs administration.
• Experience with Workday or other enterprise financial systems.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop professional staff.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage general accounting, financial reporting, treasury, and compliance functions.
• Ensure timely, accurate financial reporting, reconciliations, and analyses.
• Lead preparation of audited financial statements and disclosures per GAAP.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.
• Coordinate tax compliance (Forms 990, 990-T) and related filings.
• Liaise with external auditors, financial advisors, rating agencies, banks, regulators.
• Oversee treasury operations, cash management, liquidity, debt reporting, banking relations.
• Support financing activities, including debt issuances and covenant compliance.
• Support gifts, endowment activity, and sponsored projects accounting.
• Collaborate with Finance/IT to optimize Workday Finance and data integrity.
• Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting and efficiency.
• Supervise accounting staff and foster a culture of accountability.

Skills

GAAP Knowledge

Leadership

Financial Reporting

Audit Management

Internal Controls

Nonprofit Accounting

Endowment Accounting

Workday

Communication

Team Development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation

Tools

Workday Financial System

Job description

If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

Controller & Assistant Treasurer

Responsibilities

• Manage the College’s general accounting, financial reporting, treasury, and compliance functions.
• Ensure that financial reporting, reconciliations, and account analyses are completed accurately and on a timely basis.
• Lead the preparation of the College’s audited financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Review accounting treatment for complex or non-routine transactions and ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Coordinate the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.
• Oversee institutional tax compliance activities, including Forms 990, 990-T, and other required filings.
• Serve as a primary liaison with external auditors, financial advisors, rating agencies, banks, and regulatory agencies.
• Oversee treasury operations, cash management activities, liquidity monitoring, debt compliance reporting, banking relationships, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support financing activities, including coordination related to debt issuances, covenant compliance, and external financial reporting requirements.
• Support accounting and reporting for gifts, endowment activity, and sponsored projects.
• Partner with Finance and Information Technology staff to support Workday Finance operations, optimize financial systems and reporting capabilities, strengthen data integrity, and implement process improvements and automation initiatives.
• Develop, document, and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen financial operations, improve reporting processes, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting and financial operations staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service excellence within the Finance organization.
• Support financial reporting and presentations for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA designation required
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial leadership experience
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, healthcare or similarly complex institutional environments
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Experience leading financial statement audits and managing complex accounting operations
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, restricted funds, endowment accounting and sponsored programs administration
• Experience with Workday or other enterprise financial systems
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across departments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines
• Ability to communicate complex financial and accounting matters clearly to a broad range of financial and non‑financial stakeholders
• Experience operating effectively within complex and decentralized organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting senior leadership and governing boards
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in both strategic and hands‑on capacities
• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and a willingness to continuously learn and grow
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership style and commitment to supporting the mission and values of the College

Salary Range: $240,000 - $250,000

Company: Barnard College

Time Type: Full time