Assistant Controller, Capital Infrastructure & Financial System Operations

Aims Local College District•Greeley, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Controller – Capital Infrastructure and Financial System Operations will serve as the strategic financial steward for Aims Community College, directly managing its multi-hundred-million-dollar capital asset portfolio and designing robust risk-mitigation frameworks to safeguard a rapidly growing institutional footprint. Reporting to the Controller, this high-impact leadership role drives technical compliance with evolving GASB and FASB standards while directly supervising the Grants / Foundation Accountant and a Functional (ERP) Analyst. By bridging the gap between technical accounting, financial systemic workflows, and external audit readiness, this Assistant Controller acts as a vital process architect capable of optimizing the institution’s digital infrastructure and stepping in seamlessly as the official backup to the Controller for system operations, the Foundation’s external audit, and financial reporting matters.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field
Five 5 years of professional accounting experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.
Of the required five (5) years of work experience, two (2) years must be supervisory and/or demonstrated leadership experience.
Computer literate and highly proficient with Microsoft Windows, Excel, and Word.
Ability to work independently with minimum supervision as well as a team member.
Strong organizational skills and detail-oriented.
Experience with computerized accounting systems.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree (or working towards) in accounting or related field
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Demonstrate hands-on experience applying GASB standards (specifically GASB 87, 96, 101, 103, and 104, and/or FASB equivalents ASC 842).
Experience with ERP database. (i.e., Workday, Banner, Financial Records System, SAP, etc.)
Background in Higher Education, Governmental funds, and/or non-profit accounting.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively.
Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and terms involved in accounting, auditing, and related financial operations.
Ability to assess complex financial situations and make sound, timely decisions without requiring constant direction.
Proficiency in financial analysis tools and software (e.g., Excel, Workday software).
Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.
Experience in preparing financial statements and fixed asset accounting.
5 years of progressive professional accounting experience, with a heavy emphasis on fixed asset accounting, capital project tracking, and grant and foundation accounting.

Responsibilities

Manage and track the financial aspects of capital projects, ensuring projects are completed in compliance with financial and reporting standards.
Oversee the accurate tracking, recording, and reporting of the college’s fixed assets, including land, buildings, infrastructure, equipment, and vehicles.
Maintain depreciation schedules for fixed assets, ensuring proper application of depreciation methods and timely, accurate recording of depreciation expense.
Manage the lifecycle of all capital assets, including designing, implementing, and monitoring robust internal control frameworks across the institution to mitigate fixed asset risk and ensure technical compliance with GASB standards.
Lead the periodic audits of the College's fixed assets, leases, and SBITAs, verifying physical existence and implementing safeguarding procedures as needed.
Interpret and apply Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements for the College, and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) standards for the Aims Foundation division to ensure financial statements and reporting align with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Monitor and advise on new accounting updates, such as lease accounting (GASB 87) and subscription-based IT arrangements (SBITA, GASB 96).
Comb through dense legal/vendor contracts, extract critical data, and build complex amortization/present value calculation tables.
Ensure adherence to federal and state laws, including the Single Audit Act, Cost Principles, and Uniform Administrative Requirements.
Work closely with the Controller and Budget Office to create accounting-related business objects in Workday, including cost centers, projects, programs, grants, and other financial dimensions required for accurate tracking and reporting.
Work closely with the Controller to identify internal control weaknesses, develop and enforce strong internal control systems, and ensure the accuracy of the College’s financial asset records and reporting.
Evaluate current accounting policies, processes, and procedures and identify areas for improvement.
Develop and/or update policies and procedures to include appropriate financial internal controls compliance and to ensure business continuity during transitions.
Serve as a reference to the College’s constituents for financial policies and procedures.
Serve as the functional subject matter expert for the Fixed Assets and Grant modules within the Workday Finance ERP system.
Deliver accurate and timely capital budget-to-actual variance reports and asset utilization analysis to executive leadership for strategic decision-making.
Assist and support accounting decisions within fixed assets, grants, and the Aims Foundation.
Implement rigorous segregation of duties, workflows, and establish clear financial standard operating procedures (SOPs) across departments.
Evaluate, design, and continuously improve the College’s internal financial control environment to accommodate the institution’s continuing growth in Net Position.
Manage the financial accounting, tracking, depreciation, and disposal of a multi-hundred-million-dollar capital asset portfolio across all Aims campuses.
Lead the technical implementation, reporting, and ongoing management of complex accounting standards, including GASB 87 (Leases) and GASB 96 (SBITAs).
Coordinate the execution of routine physical inventory verifications of equipment, technology infrastructure, and land improvements to prevent asset misappropriation.
Monitor Construction in Progress (CIP) accounts, accurately capitalize projects upon structural completion, and componentize building assets in accordance with institutional guidelines.
Optimize the Workday system for asset management and accurate, automated depreciation tracking.
Work collaboratively with Financial Services staff to evaluate and test bi-annual Workday upgrades for Financial Services, providing recommendations for bi-annual Workday upgrades for Financial Services, and provide recommendations on which updates to adopt within the Workday Finance system.
Work collaboratively with all areas of Financial Services to routinely review and update respective Workday Finance system functionality, account posting rules, and business processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency across the financial system.
Work closely with the Controller during the year-end closing process, ensuring that Fixed Assets, Grants, and Aims Foundation financial transactions are accurately recorded, reconciled, and closed in the system.
Ensure timely and accurate preparation of final year-end entries.
Provide primary oversight for the Aims Foundation’s external audit.
Prepare financial statements, audit schedules, and footnote disclosures, and proactively resolve technical accounting issues.
Work closely with the Controller to provide critical support during the audit process by assisting in the preparation of required documentation, financial statements, and schedules for auditor review.
Work closely with the audit team to ensure all information is provided in a timely and accurate manner.
Work closely with the Controller in the preparation of year-end financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows.
Assist in ensuring accuracy in all sections, providing clear and concise notes and explanations where necessary.
Work closely with the Controller in preparing the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) section, ensuring it provides a clear and to prepare the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) section, ensuring it provides a clear, thorough explanation of the institution’s financial position, performance, and relevant trends for the audit team and stakeholders.
Work closely with the Controller to draft and review the related footnotes for the financial statements, ensuring they accurately reflect the institution’s financial position, including policies, transactions, and contingencies.
Work closely with the Controller to draft and review the Required Supplementary Information for the financial statements.
Work closely with the Controller to review and ensure that internal control procedures are being followed during the year-end close and audit process, and identify areas for improvement or adjustments to enhance future processes.
In the Controller's absence, serve as the point of contact for auditors, ensuring all information requests are answered promptly and accurately.
Provide detailed explanations and documentation as necessary to support the audit process.
Help with other ad-hoc accounting and finance projects related to the year-end process, as directed by the Controller. This may include improvements to accounting systems, financial reporting, or internal controls.
Manage and supervise the Grant/Foundation Accountant, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and other funding agency specifications.
Manage and supervise the Functional Analyst, providing direction on report writing, dashboard development, and the use of Smartsheet when appropriate.
Serve as a subject matter expert in accounting practices and procedures for the College’s accounting staff, campus business leaders, and campus functional users.
Lead change management efforts for updates and upgrades within Workday Finance, communicating changes effectively to system users.
Develop and provide ongoing training sessions on accounting systems, best practices, and new policies or procedures.
Collaborate with campus business leaders and functional users on accounting policies and ensure they understand and follow proper financial procedures within their departments.
Provide training and guidance to staff on technical accounting issues and methods.
Analyze and resolve accounting report issues and formulate solutions to accounting issues encountered by staff.
Crosstrain staff for full coverage during absences.
Monitor and maintain internal accounting controls and day-to-day accounting processes to ensure accurate and timely accounting data is produced and recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Support and develop a positive unit culture that embraces quality, process efficiency, innovation, and trust.
Serving as backup for the Controller as needed.
Assist the Vice President of Administrative Services, Assistant Vice President of Administrative Services, Controller, and other Administrative Services staff with other projects as requested.
Professional Development – maintain proficiency in higher education and industry standards.
Serve on department, division, and institutional committees as needed.
Other Duties as Assigned

Benefits

100% employer provided medical & dental coverage employees (employee only option)
85% employer provided medical & dental coverage for employee's spouse and/or family
Voluntary vision insurance
Staff Annual Leave (minimum accrual of 15 days) & Sick (minimum accrual of 12 days)
17 paid holidays and 3 personal days each year
Summer schedule: 4-day work week - Fridays Off
Employer paid long-term disability and life insurance premiums
Tuition waiver & reimbursement for employees
Tuition waiver for dependents
PERA employer
Additional supplemental benefits & retirement programs available
Access to the PERC (Aims gym) for employee & one guest
Free parking on all campuses