Assistant Vice President of Finance & Controller

Stephens College•Columbia, MO

About The Position

Stephens College seeks an Assistant Vice President of Finance & Controller to provide senior leadership over the College’s accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance functions while serving as a strategic partner to the Executive Vice President of Finance & Operations/Chief Financial Officer (EVPFO/CFO). This role blends high-level financial stewardship with operational excellence, ensuring the integrity, transparency, and effectiveness of the College’s financial systems during a period of institutional transformation and growth. The AVP of Finance & Controller is responsible for the accurate and timely execution of all accounting operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations. The position also plays a key role in financial planning, audit oversight, system modernization, and Board-level reporting, and serves as a senior leader within the Finance & Administration division.

Requirements

Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience, including senior-level leadership experience.
Demonstrated expertise in fund accounting and GAAP/FASB standards in a higher education or nonprofit environment.
Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information for diverse audiences.
Proven experience with enterprise financial systems and advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
Prior experience in higher education or a mission-driven nonprofit organization.

Responsibilities

Acts as a strategic advisor to the CFO; aids in long-range planning, risk management, and the development of internal controls.
Prepares financial analyses and narratives for the President and Board of Trustees.
Manages daily accounting operations (GL, AP, AR, student billing) in compliance with GAAP (FASB) and higher education standards.
Leads the annual external audit and oversees tax filings (Forms 990, 1099, etc.).
Partners with leadership on budget development, forecasting, and variance analysis.
Monitors cash flow, liquidity, and reserves to support institutional decision-making.
Oversees fund accounting for endowment and restricted funds.
Collaborates with the Advancement and Financial Aid teams to ensure proper stewardship of donor-restricted resources.
Provides functional leadership for financial enterprise systems and plays a major role in planning and implementing future ERP systems.
Drives automation and process improvements.
Leads, mentors, and develops the finance team.
Fosters a culture of service excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement across campus.
Holds delegated signature authority for bank accounts and financial documents, acting on behalf of the CFO as required.