Controller

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu .

Controller's Office Job Description

Job Summary

The Controller, also the college’s principal accounting officer and associate treasurer, leads a team that provides strategic leadership and management oversight of financial and endowment accounting and operations, financial reporting, tax management, procurement and accounts payable and payroll processing. To advance and enable the educational mission of the college, this position works closely with both internal and external key stakeholders, to ensure accurate, efficient processing of financial transactions, maintain sound accounting policies and practices, and balance effective compliance with excellent customer service that.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Financial Operations, Compliance & Reporting: Ensure data integrity and timeliness of all internal/external financial reporting. Facilitate timely preparation of the college’s various tax filings (IRS Forms 990 and 990T; multistate tax returns; sales tax, payroll tax filings, employment taxes, etc.). Maintain and document sound accounting practices, policies and procedures. Responsible for financial policy development, tax management and compliance. Serve as the primary liaison with external audit team and as a liaison to the trustee audit and risk committee.

Maintain Current Knowledge of Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Standards in Higher Education Accounting and Financial Reporting: Well versed on current policies and procedures including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Stays current to anticipate changes, trends in accounting standards and changes to government guidelines. Analyzes the environment for risk and takes steps to prepare a strategy to mitigate risk as needed. It is the responsibility of the Controller to address these changes and environmental shifts proactively and strategically and communicates them appropriately to a broad range of internal and external constituents. The individual should be an active participant in networks of Controller colleagues in other peer institutions.

Campus-wide Strategic Partnership & Collaboration: Models interdepartmental cooperative working relationships. Acts as a strategic thought partner and change agent across academic and administrative departments as they address emerging needs and process improvement opportunities within their respective areas. Serve on various college committees.

Nurture a Culture of High Performance, Growth and Customer Service: Through accessible & supportive leadership, embraces a culture of accountability and service. Sets on-going developmental assignments with staff that enhances individual and team expertise, performance and growth. Deliver a broad range of services to students, faculty, staff, donors, and departments and programs by developing a customer service-oriented culture.

Leverage Technology to Deliver Efficient Processes: Through partnership with information technology services, responsible for implementing and maintaining key systems that enable finance and accounting functions and other business processes at the college.

Other Functions

Support new projects and key financial initiatives as necessary with analysis and reporting to support ad-hoc requests.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)



Bachelor’s degree. CPA or candidate must be eligible to sit for the CPA MBA or other advanced degree in accounting, finance, business or related field is preferred. A minimum of 7 years of experience in progressive roles that demonstrate broad experience in key accounting functions, financial operations. Equivalent experience at a public accounting firm with a higher education client base may be considered. Must demonstrate a record of leadership, knowledge of not-for-profit accounting and relevant financial acumen, plus personal and professional ethics. Advanced Microsoft Excel including pivot tables, complex formulas, and financial modeling is a requirement. Advanced level expertise with Microsoft suite of products to include MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Experience working with financial accounting systems. Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree preferred. Experience with Workday and/or Adaptive preferred. Experience in Higher Education is a plus.

Skills

High degree of initiative, self-direction, critical & creative thinking, and independent judgment. Must be willing to take direction from multiple stakeholders. Must possess exemplary problem-solving skills. Demonstrates strong administrative, leadership, verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to analyze complex data. Excellent interpersonal and technical skills. Strong accounting, financial modeling and analysis, strategic thinking, and project management skills. Excellent communication skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy. Must have discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality, interact with diverse constituencies, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Additional Information

For the care and safety of our community, Smith College requires that all employees be vaccinated as a condition of employment and as such, the incumbent will be required to be immunized against COVID-19 on or before their first day of employment. Proof of vaccination status will be required. Individuals may seek medical or religious exemption with HR, but must do so prior to their arrival.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

November 2, 2022

Compensation Grade:

Grade B

Position Type:

Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu .

Diversity and a culture of inclusion among students, staff, faculty, and administration are crucial to the mission and values of Smith College. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religions, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.