Assistant Vice President for Business Services, Controller

Cornell College•Mt Vernon, IA

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

Cornell College is seeking an Assistant Vice President for Business Services, Controller. This role is crucial for establishing and maintaining controls to safeguard the college's financial, reputational, and physical assets. The position ensures accurate recording of assets, liabilities, funds, revenues, and expenses in compliance with GAAP, relevant laws, regulations, college policies, and donor requirements. Key responsibilities include managing the annual external audit, preparing federal and state financial reports, overseeing the business office's billing, collections, and disbursements, and assisting the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer with budget preparation and internal financial reporting. Cornell College is a selective liberal arts college known for its Ingenuity curriculum and One Course At A Time schedule, fostering thoughtful, original, and inventive problem-solving through hands-on learning. The college attracts a diverse student body and is located in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting / Finance
Minimum of six years of supervisory experience in a not-for-profit accounting environment with a minimum of $20 million in annual revenue
Excellent technical accounting skills and knowledge (GAAP, fund accounting, endowment accounting, accounts payable and payroll)
Ability to understand, develop and communicate the information needs of senior staff and provide meaningful reports and analyses
Understanding of systems and procedures to support internal control and external reporting and compliance requirements
Ability to streamline accounting processes to reduce time and increase accuracy of accounting records
Strong sense of service orientation, with a proven ability to effectively communicate decisions and educate in the process
High level of professionalism and integrity with a demonstrated ability to work productively with, and gain confidence of, all areas of the college
Ability to maintain focus, successfully execute against plans, and bring timely closure to activities, tasks and projects
Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Proven experience in developing others—providing coaching and offering assignments that challenge and foster skills
Excellent track record in building and leading effective teams
Energetic, optimistic, competent, ethical with the ability to develop a deep sense of trust
Ability to engage people in a dynamic work environment
Visionary about leading improvements in the accounting processes
Ability to nurture opportunities for collaboration
Ability to cultivate and maintain informal relationships across the college that are mutually beneficial
Ability to motivate people by a purpose worthy of their efforts
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent organization and problem solving skills
A passion and commitment for the work, culture, and mission of Cornell College

Nice To Haves

CPA preferred
Microsoft Dynamics / PowerCAMPUS preferred
Familiarity with Google Suite is helpful
Higher education accounting experience

Responsibilities

Establish the appropriate environment to ensure controls are created and maintained to safeguard assets, including financial, reputational, and physical assets.
Ensure proper recording of assets, liabilities, funds, revenues, and expenses in compliance with GAAP, applicable laws, regulations, college policies, and donor requirements.
Manage the annual external audit and the preparation of all federal and state financial reports, including timely preparation of materials and filing of reports.
Oversee the business office including the supervision of billing and collection of all revenues and verification and payment of all disbursements.
Assist the vice president, chief financial officer in coordinating and organizing budget preparation and various internal financial reporting activities.
Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the college’s annual budgeting process including collaborating with academic and administrative departments to prepare, review, and consolidate budget submissions, providing guidance and support throughout the budgeting cycle.