Description
Purpose: The Controller is responsible for day-to-day leadership of the College’s Business Office staff and operations. This includes annual budget preparation, internal and external reporting, and relationship management with the Business Office’s external partners. The Controller reports to the Executive Vice President & COO.
Typical Schedule: This is a full-time position with normal workdays Monday through Friday. Extended hours and a flexible schedule may be necessary to meet deadlines and project requirements of the college including occasional weekends.
Leadership Expectations and Opportunities
An understanding of Holy Cross College’s Catholic identity and educational mission. An appreciation for how resourceful leadership of the Business Office, and partnership with the College’s Board of Trustees, President, and Executive Council, supports and advances the College’s strategic plan and operational priorities.
Lead development and implementation of the College’s annual budgeting process and preparation of annual College and area budgets.
Work closely with the EVP & COO in developing annual and multi-year financial plans to support the College’s educational mission, strategic plan, and operational priorities.
Serve as the College’s primary liaison to external independent auditor(s) and coordinate the College’s reporting and deliverable requirements as part of external audit processes
Working with the Finance Committee (of the College’s Board of Trustees) along with the College’s leadership, periodically review the College’s Endowment and Investment Distribution Policy and recommend appropriate revisions.
Monitor the College’s policies and internal controls for the College’s accounting, business, and financial operations. Make recommendations to the EVP & COO regarding appropriate improvements or revisions.
In collaboration with Student Accounts/Bursar, develop and recommend student billing, payment, and collection policies and practices.
Provide periodic updates to key constituencies on the College’s budget and financial performance.
Analysis, Reporting, and Compliance
Provide the EVP & COO with regular reports on investment banking, cash management, accounts receivable and payable.
Responsible for cash monitoring and reporting activities.
Proactively provide periodic updates on financial analysis of student tuition, fees, housing, tuition discount, investments, and expenses.
Manage financial statement reporting and monitoring to comply with third party compliance such as banks, financial institutions, accreditors, U.S. Department of Education, and the State of Indiana
Supervision and Other Duties
Complete oversight of all accounts receivable, payable, collection, payroll and development accounts and reporting.
Supervise Business Office staff and daily operations, including but not limited to accounting, accounts payable/receivable, student accounts, and purchasing.
Keeps abreast of current trends and practices in higher education, especially business and financial operations
Responsible for Private Grant management
Responsible for federal and state grants including drawdowns.
Assumes other special activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.
Education, Skills, and Ability
CPA preferred
Minimum of 7 years’ recent experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller or Accounting leadership position preferably within higher education and/or not for profit industry with responsibility for accounts, reporting, budgeting, cost accounting and finance.
Experience managing the audit process which includes coordination of staff and audit schedule preparation and external financial statement preparation.
Knowledge of fully integrated accounting systems and well-developed financial analysis capabilities. Experience with Jenzabar One preferred.
Assures that effective communications are maintained within areas of responsibility and where appropriate, informs employees as to plans and progress.
Position requires a highly motivated person who takes initiative and works with minimal supervision.
Must have sound leadership, administrative and supervisory experience.
Must be a “hands-on”, well-organized, team player with good communication skills both written and verbal.
Must have strong customer service skills to interact with a diverse group of employees, students and families.
Must have strong analytical and reasoning abilities.
A desire to embrace, enhance, and support Holy Cross College’s Catholic identity and educational mission.
