Associate Controller

College of the Holy Cross•Worcester, MA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for providing professional accounting and tax services with a focus on strengthening policies, procedures and internal controls and improving customer service to the college community and external parties. Serve as a lead contributor to the month end closing process responsible for overseeing gift activity for the College in the general ledger including annual fund, endowment and restricted gifts, pledges and charitable planned giving. This role works closely with the Controller providing assistance in the performance of various functions in the financial processing for the college including the supervision of staff with a high volume workload to meet monthly, quarterly and annual deadlines, as well as the preparation of financial statements, reports, tax returns and other data in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and higher education industry practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting
A minimum of 5 - 7 years’ of progressive responsibility in accounting positions, preferably in a higher education environment.
Comprehensive knowledge of accounting standards (GAAP) and federal and state regulations applicable to a higher education institution.
Demonstrated supervisory experience with a focus on quality customer service and team leadership and mentoring skills.
Experience working with ERP (Workday preferred) and other SaaS systems.
Advanced proficiency in Excel, with experience using other Microsoft applications.

Nice To Haves

CPA and public accounting experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise and mentor Senior Accountant covering cash, gifts, payroll/benefits accounting, and related audits/filings; set goals, manage workload/priorities, and provide ongoing performance feedback and development coaching.
Review and post daily gift feed/journals to the general ledger; reconcile to Advancement records (daily/monthly), investigate discrepancies, and ensure accurate donor gift classification and documentation.
Serve as primary liaison between Advancement and Finance to ensure compliance with GAAP and donor restrictions; determine appropriate net asset classification for endowment and restricted gifts and support major/complex gift transactions.
Maintain the endowment model subledger; calculate monthly income, realized/unrealized gains/losses, and spending; reconcile endowment activity to the general ledger and Advancement records.
Prepare endowment income and spending projections and related internal reporting.
Review contributions receivable reconciliations; record pledge discounts and allowances for uncollectible pledges; oversee pledge receivable monitoring and reporting.
Prepare and reconcile non-pooled investments and related split-interest agreements/obligations; coordinate investment reporting with custodians as applicable.
Monitor restricted gift and grant expenditures to ensure compliance with donor and sponsor requirements; set up new grants in the general ledger including grant accounting structure and budgetary controls.
Prepare financial reports to granting agencies; process and request federal drawdowns.
Provide post-award grants management oversight; advise Principal Investigators on budgeting, allowability, and expenditure issues; support effort reporting and federal grant compliance requirements.
Prepare indirect cost and fringe benefit proposals and support related rate development and documentation.
Oversee accounting and budgeting for agency/fiduciary funds, including reconciliations and periodic reporting.
Prepare federal and state tax filings including Form 990, 990-T, and applicable state returns; support related schedules and documentation.
Assist with monthly/quarterly/annual close ensuring timely, accurate transaction posting and completion of balance sheet reconciliations.
Play a lead role in annual financial statement preparation and coordination of benefit plan audits (DB/DC), including Form 5500 preparation support.
Prepare workpapers and documentation for Uniform Guidance audits and other audits (e.g., workers’ compensation); coordinate with internal stakeholders and external auditors to meet deadlines.
Monitor, assess, and improve internal controls; develop, document, and update accounting policies and procedures to strengthen control environment and operational efficiency.
Perform accounting research, document conclusions, and assist with implementation of new accounting standards, regulations, and reporting requirements.
Provide cross-training and backup support for key accounting functions, including payroll backup management and other team coverage as needed.
Participate in special projects such as system implementations/upgrades, process improvement initiatives, ad hoc financial analysis/reporting, and other duties as assigned.