Controller

Palm Beach State College • Lake Worth, TX

6d • $96,548

About The Position

The Controller provides leadership and oversight of Palm Beach State College’s college-wide accounting, financial reporting, financial compliance, and internal control functions. The role ensures the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial records and reporting, supports strategic decisions through financial analysis, and promotes consistent financial practices across campuses and operational units. The Controller serves as the College’s principal accounting officer and partners with executive leadership to maintain critical accounting, payroll, treasury, financial reporting, and financial system operations during emergencies or disruptions.

The position is designated as essential and requires regular physical attendance. The employee may be required to remain at or report to the work location to protect, recover, and continue College operations. The minimum base pay starts at $96,548 annually, with the offer potentially varying based on education and experience. The position is open until filled, with an initial review date of November 16, 2026.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial reporting, or public-sector finance, including supervisory or management experience.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) reporting standards, including federal tax laws and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional or a similar application.
• Strategic thinking, including planning, setting goals, monitoring progress, tracking results, and adjusting plans based on circumstances and context.
• Ability to identify details and assess cause and effect.
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict positively.
• Ability to plan and implement financial goals and strategies and develop complex financial reports.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with internal and external customers, build relationships, manage expectations, and provide a high level of service.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple competing priorities to maximize personal and team effectiveness.
• Ability to make presentations and translate financial concepts for financial and non-financial managers.
• Ability to identify technology that supports department goals and streamlines processes.
• Regular physical attendance is required.
• May be required to remain at the work location or report to work to protect, recover, and continue College operations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education.
• Experience in the Florida College System.
• Experience in government.
• Workday experience.
• Knowledge of Florida Statutes.
• Skill with cloud-based systems.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to make presentations to the Board of Trustees and the public.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) membership.
• Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) membership.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) membership.
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) or Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) membership.

Responsibilities

• Provide college-wide leadership, guidance, and oversight for accounting practices, financial reporting, reconciliations, internal controls, and financial compliance.
• Develop, recommend, implement, and monitor college-wide accounting policies, procedures, and internal control standards to safeguard assets, ensure compliance, and promote consistent financial practices.
• Review the application of internal controls, compliance requirements, and financial procedures; conduct internal examinations of College functions and operations for compliance with policies, procedures, and standards.
• Enhance accounting systems, processes, tools, and control systems to improve methods and procedures.
• Partner with executive leadership to ensure continuity of critical accounting, payroll, treasury, financial reporting, and financial system operations during emergencies and disruptions.
• Prepare comprehensive financial reports and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Deliver accurate and timely external reporting and develop meaningful internal financial analysis, reporting, and forecasting.
• Execute cash-management plans based on the College’s long-term needs, including maintaining appropriate bank balances.
• Forecast short-term and long-range cash and budgetary needs, and determine ways and costs of obtaining funds and investing excess funds.
• Analyze current or proposed investments in equipment, stocks, and bonds to predict future performance, including preparing pro formas.
• Provide financial analysis, historical financial information, forecasting support, and accounting guidance for the budget development process.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Tuition fee waiver at PBSC, tuition reimbursement, degree recognition award, educational leave, and other education benefits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness institution.
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, parental leave, and other health and wellness benefits.
• Vacation, sick leave, holidays, and spring and winter breaks offering additional paid time off.
• Potential remote or hybrid opportunities, wellness programs, and apps related to stress management, nutrition, and meditation.
• Leadership programs, professional learning workshops, and other professional development.
• State retirement plan options and voluntary 403(b) and 457 plans.

What This Job Offers

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