Controller

Lindenwood University • Saint Charles, MO

26d

About The Position

The Controller leads Lindenwood University’s accounting operations, including financial reporting, monthly and year-end close, treasury and cash management, compliance verification, and accounts payable. The role also oversees financial management of grants, endowments, and gifts; tracks capital assets; creates and maintains a cash forecast; and manages the University’s investment accounts. The Controller directs the Accounting and Accounts Payable departments and serves as the functional lead for Workday Financials for Accounting, working with IT and the Financial Systems Manager on improvements, configuration changes, module implementations, and issue resolution.

The position leads financial reporting, audits, regulatory filings, and related compliance work; maintains accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls; and supports financial planning and decision-making. The Controller works with University Advancement on gift and pledge reporting, communicates financial and process changes across the University, and provides budget and financial results to faculty, staff, management, and the Board of Trustees. The role also establishes department goals, develops staff, and promotes collaboration and service excellence.

The work environment is a general office setting with a Non-Standard Flex designation. The position requires extended computer use, sitting or standing for extended periods, handling common office items, and regular typing and other repetitive hand movements. Regular attendance is an essential function. For fully remote positions, candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to a state in which Lindenwood University is authorized to employ.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with not-for-profit accounting, regulations, grant and restricted gift accounting, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
• Ability to execute multiple tasks according to specifications.
• Strong professional integrity.
• Ability to use good judgment and think critically.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• Ability to take initiative and be creative.
• Mastery of Workday enterprise accounting and finance software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• CPA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily activities of the Accounting and Accounts Payable departments.
• Determine accounting policies and practices to ensure financial statements comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Ensure accurate recording of financial transactions, provide customer service, and practice good stewardship of University assets.
• Facilitate collection and reporting of financial data for financial reports, tax returns, regulatory reports, audits, presentations, and other evaluations, and resolve related issues.
• Lead the LES system-wide year-end financial audit and annual IRS Form 990.
• Perform treasury activities related to cash flow, borrowings, debt, and capital management.
• Manage all University investment accounts.
• Lead the annual NCAA agreed-upon procedures engagement for intercollegiate athletics.
• Prepare and monitor the Department of Education financial responsibility composite score.
• Manage banking and merchant services relationships, including bank administration and coordination of PCI compliance.
• Coordinate the annual endowment spending calculation and reporting on donor-restricted funds.
• Partner with University Advancement to integrate financial systems with Raiser’s Edge, reconcile gift and pledge activity, and ensure consistent gift reporting between Advancement and the general ledger.
• Complete annual surveys, including IPEDS and HLC.
• Create and maintain a cash forecast.
• Assist in preparing monthly and quarterly financial information for Board of Trustees and management PowerPoint presentations.
• Assist in developing and collecting accurate data to guide University business decisions.
• Determine the financial information technology systems and capabilities needed for University operations.
• Communicate accounting and business process changes to faculty and staff and enforce applicable financial and accounting policies.
• Distribute financial results relative to budget and prior years and interpret findings for faculty and staff.
• Research technical accounting issues and implement new accounting standards.
• Develop and integrate accounting practices and procedures into the University’s Workday ERP system.
• Serve as functional lead of Workday Financials for Accounting; lead continuous improvement, configuration changes, module implementations, and issue resolution in partnership with IT and the Financial Systems Manager.
• Establish a regular review cycle for fiscal policies and procedures; modernize, document, and communicate updates.
• Ensure adequate policies, procedures, and internal controls for fiscal integrity in financial and regulatory reporting.
• Establish short- and long-term strategic goals based on assessment data and ensure departmental standards are met or exceeded.
• Adapt leadership to new information and data, and unite people around new directions.
• Build collaboration to support effective execution.
• Align division and department purpose and actions with University initiatives and higher education trends.
• Support the University’s mission and serve as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence.
• Model, support, and hold others accountable to University values.
• Recruit, interview, recommend, welcome, observe, and monitor department staff performance.
• Set clear performance expectations and hold employees accountable.
• Document close procedures and cross-train accounting staff to reduce key-person risk.
• Conduct annual employee evaluations based on evidence, observation, and feedback.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s programs for the employee, spouse, and dependents, and for master’s programs for the employee and spouse.
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs for the employee.
• Comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays, including MLK Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break, and winter break.
• Free Friday lunch for employees at Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba are included.
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior