Controller

Maryland Connect•Bowie, MD

5d•$180,000 - $190,000

About The Position

The Controller reports to the Associate Vice President for Administration & Finance and serves as the university’s senior financial accounting officer. The role coordinates financial audits and leads accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and financial compliance within its assigned scope. The Controller ensures accurate, timely, and reliable financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to public higher education, GASB standards, USM accounting and reporting requirements, applicable laws and regulations, and university policies. The Controller provides leadership and supervision for General Accounting, Payroll, and Accounts Payable through assigned managers and staff. The position is accountable for institutional general-ledger accounting, receivables, cash receipts and application, capital assets, and restricted-fund accounting, including grant, sponsored-program, and student financial aid funds. It coordinates with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and other responsible offices on accounting accuracy, payment application, and reconciliations. The role exercises approval authority within documented delegations, maintains appropriate segregation of duties, and escalates material concerns through established BSU and USM reporting channels. It requires strong technical judgment, effective staff leadership, timely resolution of accounting discrepancies, collaboration across the university, and a commitment to ethical financial stewardship and responsive service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a closely related field with relevant accounting preparation.
Active CPA license in good standing.
At least seven years of progressively responsible accounting and financial reporting experience, including at least three years supervising an accounting team.
Demonstrated experience with governmental accounting, GASB standards, financial reporting, audit coordination, internal controls, and accounting operations.
Demonstrated experience managing and developing professional accounting staff, improving processes, and collaborating with organizational leaders and stakeholders.
Demonstrated knowledge and application of governmental accounting and GASB standards, public higher education financial reporting, grants and sponsored-fund accounting, restricted-fund accounting, and relevant USM accounting and reporting requirements.
Advanced financial data analysis skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies and communicate accounting conclusions clearly.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills; sound judgment and ability to collaborate across academic, administrative, and technical offices.
Demonstrated commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, integrity, and ethical financial stewardship.

Nice To Haves

Experience in public higher education accounting and financial reporting.
Experience with grants, sponsored funds, and financial aid accounting, including institutional financial reporting and reconciliation requirements in higher education.
Experience with Workday Financial Management and related reporting, workflows, and financial controls.
Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
Knowledge of FASB reporting relevant to affiliated foundation transactions and reporting coordination.

Responsibilities

Maintain the general ledger and accurately record university revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and fund activity.
Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring timely correction or escalation of outstanding transactions.
Prepare BSU year-end statements, schedules, disclosures, and reporting packages supporting USM consolidated financial statements and other required institutional, state, and federal financial reporting.
Establish and maintain accounting policies, procedures, documentation, and financial controls; evaluate complex transactions, document accounting conclusions, and implement applicable new GASB standards and USM requirements.
Serve as the campus financial audit liaison in coordination with USM, coordinating requests, schedules, records, and financial responses for external financial statement audits, Office of Legislative Audits examinations, internal audits, and applicable federal Single Audit work.
Identify and assess accounting and financial control risks; promptly escalate material errors, overdue reconciliations, control failures, and suspected fiscal irregularities through established reporting channels while preserving supporting records.
Coordinate accounting for university receipts, transfers, and other foundation-related transactions with Advancement and foundation finance personnel, obtaining information needed for university and USM reporting.
Monitor and report cash flows and liquidity in coordination with the AVP and VP.
Supervise and develop assigned managers and accounting staff by setting expectations, evaluating performance, providing training and cross-training, and maintaining continuity of critical accounting operations.
Provide clear financial analysis and guidance to leadership and campus partners.
Promote confidentiality, accountability, transparency, ethical stewardship, and timely service to students, faculty, and external stakeholders.
Exercise approval authority within documented delegations and maintain appropriate segregation of duties.