Associate Controller

Job Description:

Reporting to the Associate Treasurer and Controller, the Associate Controller is responsible for maintaining the University’s financial and accounting systems and records. Oversees several major functions within the university’s Business Office including payroll, accounts payable, grants and endowments, treasury, tax, general ledger and financial business systems. The Associate Controller is responsible for the accurate and timely dissemination of financial information and funds to appropriate constituents and performs a wide variety of tasks as needed and identified by the Controller.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential and Related Functions:

• Oversees the daily operation of the accounting functional areas, including payroll, accounts payable, grants and endowments, treasury, tax, general ledger and financial business systems. Provides guidance and support to a team of accounting professionals and specialists in carrying out these functions. Responsible for performance management processes.
  
  
• Implements and maintains the financial business systems with Workday and excel, including modules for payroll, general ledger, fixed assets, cash, grants, endowments, customer accounts and payroll. In conjunction with this maintains the general ledger chart of accounts in accordance with GAAP and higher education industry practices.
  
  
• Works closely with leadership in campus departments to establish priorities for improving and enhancing financial systems and processes. Establishes university-wide training for financial tools and processes to support effective and efficient solutions.
  
  
• Assists the Associate Treasurer/Controller in certain treasury functions such as cash management and reporting and short-term cash planning/forecasting as well as endowment investment accounting, unitization and unit market value.
  
  
• Oversees post-award grant compliance.
  
  
• Ensures both cash and irrevocable planned gifts are recorded accurately and timely in the accounting system.
  
  
• Prepares and reviews account reconciliations. Monitors for timely completion of account reconciliation and monthly closing checklists.
  
  
• Reviews and approves various journal entries and other financial transactions, such as expense reports and supplier invoices meeting certain dollar thresholds, to ensure they are properly supported, include the appropriate worktags for budget reporting and meet the standards for appropriate expenditure of university funds.
  
  
• Ensures that all accounts are properly monitored and maintained and that accurate reports are provided to departmental budget managers on a timely basis.
  
  
• Coordinates annual external audit and prepares audit schedules.
  
  
• Maintains and evaluates internal controls and key processes by developing/collaborating with internal constituents to implement best practices and streamlined processes.
  
  
• Coordinates preparation and review of tax and other regulatory filings. Ensures compliance with IRS and other regulatory agencies by monitoring timely completion of required reports and filings. Monitors maintenance and usage of shared office-wide annual compliance calendar.
  
  
• Takes leadership in disseminating information and provides advice and counsel to constituencies.
  
  
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external constituents.
  
  
• Demonstrates initiative through early identification of problems and resourcefulness in timely resolution.
  
  
• Other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Must hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration and have si gnificant managerial experience (5+ years), specifically in the areas of accounting and financial reporting. Preferred qualifications include: Master's degree in accounting, CPA, and experience working in a higher education setting. Role requires extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); knowledge of fund accounting is a plus. Must have a strong working knowledge of accounting systems and reports. The Associate Controller must have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Ability to work with auditors to resolve issues or implement changes to improve work efficiency and internal controls. Must have demonstrated experience and be proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Workday is advantageous.

Application Instructions:

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.

Upload a resume and cover letter required. You will be asked to provide contact information for professional references in the application questionnaire.

Application deadline is May 7, 2021. Review of applications will begin and continue until position is filled.

External Applicants: Please upload your resume on the Quick Apply screen. Your application will automatically populate your resume details, and you may verify and update data on the My Information page. Add your cover letter and any other documents required for the position to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience application page. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. The online application form requires you provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Do not apply from the website. Log in to Workday. Click on the Career Application and select the Open W&L Jobs report. Locate the position and click Apply. Update your Education and Job History. Attach your cover letter and resume, and provide three professional references in the appropriate boxes. Refer to this Job Aid for additional guidance.

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  
  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  
  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  

Working Conditions: None

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm with occasional evening and weekend hours required.

Benefit Eligible

FLSA:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

35

Minimum Pay:

$89,663.00

Pay commensurate with experience.

Washington and Lee affirms that diverse perspectives and backgrounds enhance our community. We are committed to the recruitment, enrichment, and retention of students, faculty, and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points of view, interests, and identities. As engaged citizens in a global and diverse society, we seek to advance a positive learning and working environment for all through open and substantive dialogue.

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, we are interested in candidates who are committed to high standards of scholarship, performance and professionalism and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity in our faculty, staff and student body. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.