Concordia University Irvine Hiring for University Controller at Irvine, CA Full Time

OFFICE PROFILE:
The Finance and Accounting Department has campus-wide responsibility for operational support, reconciliation, analysis, problem solving and reporting in the functional areas of AP, AR and cash-handling. Staff is responsible for providing systems, policies, procedures and training to ensure accurate and timely recording of campus financial transactions. The Finance and Accounting Department functions under the supervision of the Vice President of Finance & Business Operations.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Vice President of Finance & Business Operations, the University Controller is a strategic thought-partner in the financial administration of Concordia University Irvine. The University Controller is a hands-on and participative leader who develops and directs an internal team that administers the University’s day-to-day finance, accounting, business operations and related planning functions. The incumbent serves as the Chief Accounting Officer and directs the accounting and fiscal reporting of the University. The Controller participates in all aspects of institution-wide planning in support of the mission and goals of Concordia University Irvine and plays a critical role in partnering with the University’s leadership teams in strategic decision making and operations. The incumbent will also actively engage in Concordia University Irvine’s system-wide and other higher education initiatives and committees. The incumbent maximizes and strengthens the internal capacity of a well-respected, high-impact higher education institution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: OFFICE PROFILE:

POSITION SUMMARY:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Develop and maintain timely and accurate financial statements and reports appropriate for users and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Develop, implement, and ensure compliance with internal financial and accounting policies and procedures
• Ensure that all statutory requirements of the university are met
• Document and maintain complete and accurate supporting information for all financial transactions
• Develop and maintain financial accounting systems for cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit control, and petty cash
• Reconcile bank and investment accounts
• Review monthly results and implement monthly variance reporting
• Manage the cash flow and prepare cash flow forecasts in accordance with policy
• Oversee the accounting and procurement functions including maintenance of the general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that personnel and financial information is secure and stored in compliance with current legislation, policy and best practice
• Manage the acquisition of capital assets and ensure that assets are properly recorded, amortized, and appropriately disposed
• Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collate financial reporting materials for all segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting
• Coordinate and lead periodic financial audit processes with internal and external auditors
• Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting
• Implement a robust financial management/reporting system; ensure that the contract billing and collection schedule is adhered to and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements
• Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the division’s overall policy and procedure manual
• Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to executive and senior leadership

Develop and maintain timely and accurate financial statements and reports appropriate for users and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

Develop, implement, and ensure compliance with internal financial and accounting policies and procedures

Ensure that all statutory requirements of the university are met

Document and maintain complete and accurate supporting information for all financial transactions

Develop and maintain financial accounting systems for cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit control, and petty cash

Reconcile bank and investment accounts

Review monthly results and implement monthly variance reporting

Manage the cash flow and prepare cash flow forecasts in accordance with policy

Oversee the accounting and procurement functions including maintenance of the general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable

Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that personnel and financial information is secure and stored in compliance with current legislation, policy and best practice

Manage the acquisition of capital assets and ensure that assets are properly recorded, amortized, and appropriately disposed

Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collate financial reporting materials for all segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting

Coordinate and lead periodic financial audit processes with internal and external auditors

Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting

Implement a robust financial management/reporting system; ensure that the contract billing and collection schedule is adhered to and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements

Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the division’s overall policy and procedure manual

Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to executive and senior leadership

LEADERSHIP:
LEADERSHIP:

• Strategically structure the work of the unit to enhance effectiveness and efficiency
• Manage talent of managerial subordinates to develop individuals and the group as a whole
• Inspire performance through goal-setting, monitoring of goal achievement, and recognition of outcomes
• Build a team through the development of a team environment, effective peer relationships, and advocacy with administrative authorities
• Use and share information (oral, written, presentation style, technology, financial) with constituents using appropriate communication venues
• Facilitate productive change in anticipation of, or response to, improved process, external circumstances, and strategic directives
• Foster collaborative working environment

Strategically structure the work of the unit to enhance effectiveness and efficiency

Manage talent of managerial subordinates to develop individuals and the group as a whole

Inspire performance through goal-setting, monitoring of goal achievement, and recognition of outcomes

Build a team through the development of a team environment, effective peer relationships, and advocacy with administrative authorities

Use and share information (oral, written, presentation style, technology, financial) with constituents using appropriate communication venues

Facilitate productive change in anticipation of, or response to, improved process, external circumstances, and strategic directives

Foster collaborative working environment

PROJECT ACCOUNTING MANAGEMENT:
PROJECT ACCOUNTING MANAGEMENT:

• Maintain financial records for each project in a manner that facilitates management reports
• Ensure that accurate and timely financial statements are prepared in accordance with contract agreements with funders
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on the financial activity of individual

Maintain financial records for each project in a manner that facilitates management reports

Ensure that accurate and timely financial statements are prepared in accordance with contract agreements with funders

Provide accurate and timely reporting on the financial activity of individual

ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS:
ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS:

• Partner with Administration and Finance, Audit and Compensation Committee Members and other campus administrator and faculty colleagues regarding the University’s administrative and operational processes, with a goal of continuously developing and improving systems
• Work closely with and collaborate with the campus Auxiliary Organizations on their day-to-day financial and accounting business processes.
• Evaluate and improve the University’s information technology infrastructure, implementing new technologies to support key capabilities as required for future growth, and to support and drive key financial, accounting and reporting initiatives
• Monitor all relevant legislation that impact the financial administration of the University and Auxiliary Organizations and implement accordingly
• Ability to assure that assigned accounting reporting systems and procedures are in compliance with established administrative policies and procedures and acceptable accounting standards

Partner with Administration and Finance, Audit and Compensation Committee Members and other campus administrator and faculty colleagues regarding the University’s administrative and operational processes, with a goal of continuously developing and improving systems

Work closely with and collaborate with the campus Auxiliary Organizations on their day-to-day financial and accounting business processes.

Evaluate and improve the University’s information technology infrastructure, implementing new technologies to support key capabilities as required for future growth, and to support and drive key financial, accounting and reporting initiatives

Monitor all relevant legislation that impact the financial administration of the University and Auxiliary Organizations and implement accordingly

Ability to assure that assigned accounting reporting systems and procedures are in compliance with established administrative policies and procedures and acceptable accounting standards

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS degree.
• Current CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in accounting-related financial management
• Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Demonstration of significant experience of final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial reporting, financial control, debt management, and audit coordination for an organization
• Attested in-depth knowledge of matters relating to accounting and finance, including government regulations and accepted internal financial control practices
• Familiarity of federal student financial aid annual reporting requirements, and quarterly grant reporting requirements
• Verified knowledge of nonprofit fund accounting and institutionally related foundations
• Confirmed written and oral communication skills necessary to prepare and communicate clear and concise correspondence and reports to audiences at all levels of the organization, including the ability to translate financial concepts to programmatic and fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds
• Effective and competence in implementing and managing automated financial systems including those involving electronic commerce; experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and reporting software
• Proficient with current word processing and spreadsheet software programs, web browsers, query tools, integrated financial systems and/or other types of records management systems
• Capacity to value diversity of thought, backgrounds and perspectives
• Ability to anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the university’s parameters
• Skilled in utilizing data driven strategies at the institutional, division and unit levels to evaluate and assess financial, accounting and related programs and services, focusing on improvement

BA/BS degree.

Current CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

At least 7 years of progressive experience in accounting-related financial management

Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Demonstration of significant experience of final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial reporting, financial control, debt management, and audit coordination for an organization

Attested in-depth knowledge of matters relating to accounting and finance, including government regulations and accepted internal financial control practices

Familiarity of federal student financial aid annual reporting requirements, and quarterly grant reporting requirements

Verified knowledge of nonprofit fund accounting and institutionally related foundations

Confirmed written and oral communication skills necessary to prepare and communicate clear and concise correspondence and reports to audiences at all levels of the organization, including the ability to translate financial concepts to programmatic and fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds

Effective and competence in implementing and managing automated financial systems including those involving electronic commerce; experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and reporting software

Proficient with current word processing and spreadsheet software programs, web browsers, query tools, integrated financial systems and/or other types of records management systems

Capacity to value diversity of thought, backgrounds and perspectives

Ability to anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the university’s parameters

Skilled in utilizing data driven strategies at the institutional, division and unit levels to evaluate and assess financial, accounting and related programs and services, focusing on improvement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters’ degree in Business Administration, Management, Accounting or related field
• Direct experience working effectively within governmental, higher education/academic shared governance or 10 to 15 years of corporate or non-profit experience.
• A demonstrated, successful track record in grants management.
• Dedication to the mission of Concordia University Irvine

Masters’ degree in Business Administration, Management, Accounting or related field

Direct experience working effectively within governmental, higher education/academic shared governance or 10 to 15 years of corporate or non-profit experience.

A demonstrated, successful track record in grants management.

Dedication to the mission of Concordia University Irvine