Controller - Curry College

Curry College; Blue Hills (MA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Curry College, a private higher education institution in Milton, MA, seeks a Controller to lead accounting and fiscal operations. The role ensures GAAP compliance, financial reporting, and audit coordination, while overseeing staff and budgeting processes.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years of accounting or finance experience in nonprofit settings, with strong Excel skills and experience with Banner Finance or ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible accounting or finance experience, including supervisory responsibility.
• Knowledge of nonprofit and fund accounting principles, practices, and reporting requirements.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead general accounting close processes and reconcile ledgers.
• Oversee cash management, banking relations, and liquidity planning.
• Manage accounts payable, asset management, and depreciation calculations.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audit and liaise with external auditors.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and internal controls across finance functions.
• Support financial planning, analysis, and strategic initiatives.
• Maintain confidentiality of financial data and comply with regulations.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Microsoft Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Banner Finance

ERP systems

Job description

Curry College, founded in 1879, is a private, four-year, liberal arts-based institution in Milton, Massachusetts. Curry is the only college in Massachusetts to guarantee students a job after graduation via The Curry Commitment program. The College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and offers 28 undergraduate majors, over 50 minors and concentrations, seven graduate programs, and an associate's degree. The College boasts a wide array of co-curricular activities including 40+ student-run clubs and organizations and 19 NCAA Division III athletic teams.

The Curry College mission is to educate and graduate students prepared to engage in successful careers and active citizenship with a global perspective. We are an inclusive community of diverse learners and educators, committed to continuing our legacy of developing effective communicators with reflective and critical thinking skills. We mentor and empower our students, building meaningful relationships that inspire them to achieve their ambitions.

Curry College provides rigorous and relevant academic programs to undergraduate and graduate students, and our rich blend of liberal arts and career-directed programs is enhanced by practical field experiences and co-curricular activities. Learning at Curry extends beyond the classroom and is embedded in all that we do.

Diversity and a culture of equity and inclusion among students, faculty and staff are crucial to the mission statement of Curry College.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sex identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law, including Title IX.

Job Description:

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President of Finance, the Controller provides strategic leadership and oversight of the College's accounting and fiscal operations. This position is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the College's financial records and ensuring compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies. Key areas of responsibility include general accounting, financial reporting, cash management, accounts payable, fixed assets, tax reporting, internal controls, and audit coordination. The Controller oversees accounting staff, supports financial planning and decision-making, and serves as a key partner in advancing the College's financial stewardship and operational effectiveness.

1. General Accounting:

• Lead and coordinate the monthly accounting close process;
• Analyze general ledger accounts and prepare or review account reconciliations;
• Review and approve accounting transactions affecting the general ledger;
• Oversee the reconciliation of temporary and permanently restricted net assets;
• Review bi-weekly and monthly payroll-related general ledger activity to ensure accuracy;
• Supervise the Accounting Manager and Senior Accountant, providing guidance and reviewing work to promote accuracy, efficiency, and professional development.

2. Cash Management:

• Monitor and oversee daily cash flow activities and bank reconciliations in partnership with the Accounting Manager;
• Collaborate with Finance leadership to strategically manage the College's unrestricted and restricted cash resources;
• Support cash forecasting and liquidity management activities.

3. Accounts Payable:

• Oversee the accounts payable function, ensuring timely processing, payment, and accurate coding of invoices within Banner;
• Review and sign weekly accounts payable checks;
• Promote responsive and effective customer service for internal and external stakeholders.

4. Fixed Assets:

• Maintain oversight of the College's fixed asset accounting system;
• Review and approve fixed asset transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, transfers, and depreciation calculations.

5. Financial Reporting and Tax Compliance:

• Prepare and review monthly financial statements in partnership with the Associate Vice President of Finance;
• Analyze revenue and expense variances, investigate significant fluctuations, and recommend corrective actions as needed;
• Coordinate the preparation and filing of required tax and regulatory documents, including Forms 990, 990‑T, MA Form PC, MA Form 3ABC, 1099s, and other applicable filings.

6. Compliance, Internal Controls, and Policy Administration:

• Establish, monitor, and strengthen internal controls to ensure the integrity of financial records and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
• Review and evaluate accounting and finance policies, recommending process improvements and operational efficiencies;
• Partner with College departments, including Student Financial Services, to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including Title IV cash management requirements.

7. Audit Management:

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the annual financial statement audit in collaboration with the Associate Vice President of Finance;
• Serve as the primary liaison between external auditors and College personnel;
• Assist in the preparation of the College's annual audited financial statements and supporting schedules.

8. Strategic Projects and Financial Analysis:

• Support senior leadership through financial analysis, special initiatives, and ad hoc projects;
• Research accounting guidance, regulatory developments, best practices, and emerging financial trends to support informed decision-making.

9. Confidentiality and Communication:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of financial records, personnel information, and other sensitive institutional data;
• Communicate effectively and professionally with faculty, staff, administrators, external partners, auditors, and regulatory agencies.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct;
• Support a collaborative and inclusive work environment;
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Associate Vice President of Finance or designee.

Requirements:

The successful candidate will consistently demonstrate:

• Strong initiative and accountability in achieving goals and completing responsibilities.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to exceptional service.
• Professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling confidential information.
• The ability to work independently while fostering productive relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Effective project management skills with the ability to simultaneously manage competing demands.
• A positive attitude characterized by cooperation, respect, responsiveness, and adaptability.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible accounting or finance experience, including supervisory responsibility.
• Knowledge of nonprofit and fund accounting principles, practices, and reporting requirements.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to manage complex spreadsheets and financial models.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education and/or public accounting.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and financial planning capabilities.
• Experience with Banner Finance or comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Salary Range:

$125,000 to $130,000 annually

Additional Information:

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Curry College will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

At the College's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the College, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Employment in this position is contingent upon the successful completion of all required pre-employment background checks.

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Curry College (the "College") does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that we administer, as required by Title IX and its federal regulations, including in admission and employment.

The Non-Discrimination Policy can be found at

The Sexual Misconduct Policy can be found at

https://www.curry.edu/assets/Documents/About-Us/Curry-College-Sexual-Misconduct-Policy.pdf

Individuals who wish to make a complaint of discrimination or sex discrimination under Title IX, or those with information about conduct that may constitute discrimination or sex discrimination under Title IX may contact the Director of Title IX and Equity Compliance, the Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Inquiries about the implementation of Title IX and its federal regulations to the College may be referred to either or both offices listed below:

Juan M. Hernandez, Ed.D, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging, Interim Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator: Office 121, King Administrative Building, 55 Atherton Street Milton, MA 02186. 617-333-2394, [e-mail]

Office of Civil Rights ("OCR"): Boston Office, Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education, 9th Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-3921, Telephone: [phone], FAX: [phone]; TDD: 800-877-8339, Email: [e-mail].