Professional/Administrative

Associate Controller

Full Time

Finance and Administration

Accounting & Control

Primary responsibilities include producing and managing financial reports and related processes. Accountable for accurate and timely preparation of audited financial statements and all tax returns. Accountable for developing an expert level of understanding of all balance sheet line items in order to provide expert guidance and continued enhancements of processes, as well as regulatory changes. Ensures proper accounting and execution of transactions related to capital projects, endowment, debt, and on-going university operations. Coordinates the Board of Trustees Audit Committee agenda and presents the university financial statements, 990 and 990-T tax return.

Serves in the absence of the Controller, with responsibility for an understanding of the financial operations, general ledger policies, procedures and regulations. Accountable for representing the accounting office and finance division on a variety of committees with a diverse range of faculty, staff, or students.

Other specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: managing compliance with donor restrictions; responsible for fixed asset inventory and depreciation system; monitoring compliance with NYPMIFA; preparing audit lead schedules, financial statement and footnotes; monitoring private business use and unrelated business income activities; provides accurate financial information for surveys and reports; and serves as the liaison between external audit and tax firm and the university.

Responsible for the effective supervision of staff. Understands multiple cultural frameworks, values, and norms, knows and applies best practices in diversity and inclusion practices, strategies, systems, policies, etc. Ensures selection and hiring of high quality employees in accordance with university policy as an affirmative action employer; ensures appropriate distribution of work assignments and high quality of employee work product; ensures fair and accurate performance assessments and feedback to include identifying areas for professional development and documenting and conducting disciplinary measures. Responsible for ensuring fair and accurate decisions regarding employment status (hire, promotion, salary increases, termination); ensures the creation of effective opportunities and programs for employee mentoring, development and sustained performance in a culturally appropriate manner.

Financial Analysis

Ability to conduct complex financial analysis. Ability to summarize results into formats and visualizations that are easy to consume and understand. Ability to interpret and provide meaningful insights of complex financial analysis. Demonstrated ability to analyze and ensure accounting functions are performing to high standards.

Financial Systems

Resident expert on enterprise accounting software. Ability to use financial systems and information to support production of analyses and reports and respond to surveys. Expert level of knowledge related to entering data, performing system audits, crafting complex reports, and interpreting. Ability to provide training on complex systems.

Accounting

Demonstrated ability to understand GAAP and fund accounting and the difference between the two. Knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll. Demonstrated ability to make and reconcile journal entries. Demonstrated ability to reconcile complex GL feeds such as endowment and plant. Demonstrates campus-wide expertise on the most-complex accounting and tax issues across all areas of the University. Demonstrated ability to provide sound guidance on all matters related to the accounting department (e.g. personnel, policies, processes, regulatory, etc.). Demonstrates expertise in managing compliance with donor restrictions.

Endowment/Plant

Demonstrated awareness of post issuance bond compliance. Demonstrated expertise in the review and compliance of endowment fund accounting and unitization. Demonstrated expertise in capital project accounting. Demonstrates a deep understanding of a fixed asset inventory and depreciation system.

Audit/Tax

Demonstrated ability and expertise in managing all aspects of financial statement audits, including preparing audit lead schedules, financial statements and footnotes. Expert in accounting systems and all aspects of GL system, GAAP and FASB standards. Expert in sales tax law and tax preparation. Demonstrates a current understanding of private business use and unrelated business income.

Community Outreach

Demonstrated ability to communicate and train campus community on policies and procedures in non-accounting terms. Ability to develop collaborative relationships across a diverse range of constituents to ensure financial needs are addressed.

Internal Controls

Demonstrated ability to establish and provide oversight of strong internal controls, including policy and procedure development. Ability to audit and address concerns at all levels.

Managerial Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of Colgate managerial processes and requirements, to include:

Demonstrated ability to fairly and accurately assess employee performance in accordance with university practices. Demonstrated understanding of federal and state EEO/AA regulations, university HR policies and guidelines, and institutional values related to diversity, equity, and inclusion sufficient to effectively select new employees, recommend pay actions, determine employment status and initiate or approve employee changes in status.
Demonstrated ability to select, develop and retain high performing diverse work teams, to include:

Demonstrated ability to collaborate, coordinate, develop, enrich and provide leadership development opportunities across a diverse range of individuals.

Demonstrated skill in the development of employee skills, performance and behaviors within diverse teams. Demonstrated ability to effectively coach and communicate with employees on issues of pay, performance and development in a culturally appropriate manner. Demonstrated ability to consistently identify, hire and retain high performing employees in accordance with the university’s affirmative action program

Demonstrated ability to negotiate cultural differences, conflicts, tensions, or misunderstandings and helps others do the same.

Demonstrated knowledge of programs, policies, and best practices that ensure equity and achievement of organizational DEI objectives in a variety of areas.

Personal Accountability for Results

Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude; shows self-awareness and openness to feedback.

Effective Communication

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills; shares information and seeks input from others; adapts communication to diverse audiences; protects private and confidential information.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making decisions; factors organizational goals into decisions; makes clear, transparent, and timely decisions.

Change Management

Responds positively to changing university initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the university and can relate this to departmental area; adapts to new methodologies; identifies and acts on areas where change is appropriate.

Leadership and Teamwork

Applies skills and knowledge to provide a climate to achieve departmental and organizational success; balances individual and department goals; helps others perform at their best; builds productive relationships to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness; treats others with respect; resolves conflicts among team members.

Creativity and Innovation

Generates, explores, encourages, and implements innovative ways of creating strategic value for the university, division, department, and individual level; critically assesses the effectiveness of new initiatives.

Diversity and Inclusion

Demonstrates respect for people and their differences; understands the benefits of a diverse workforce; earns the trust and respect of others; includes and welcomes others; works to understand the perspective of others; promotes opportunities to experience diversity within our community.

Sustainability

Understands the impact of decision making and personal behavior in achieving the university’s commitment to a sustainable and carbon-neutral campus; supports and advances the university’s sustainability initiatives; influences others to use sustainable practices.

- Minimum of 3 years working experience in higher education accounting or knowledge of not-for-profit accounting.
- Ability to manage chart of accounts.
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing diverse teams.
- Experience with process evaluation and redesign when warranted.
- Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, tax compliance and audit.
- A strong service commitment, with the ability to balance controls while meeting the need of his/her constituents.
- Strong problem solving skills and the ability to research and resolve problems.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to communicate both verbally and in written forms.
- Spreadsheet skills necessary to prepare, analyze and present financial results.
- A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- A commitment to the University’s sustainability mission.

Banner or other electronic database management account system experience preferred.

A bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance.

CPA certification, required.

2021S056Posting

No

Weekdays

07/13/2021

No

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS
The Campus Safety Department will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. To obtain a copy, contact the Campus Safety Compliance Manager via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu. You may also access the report from the Campus Safety web page at: www.colgate.edu/offices/support/campussafety.