Controller

The mission of The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the development of professional health care practitioners through innovation, individualized, and quality classroom, clinical, and distance education.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Institutional Controller is a supervisory and managerial position reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and responsible for the accounting operations of the University. Overall duties include the production of periodic financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of controls and budgets designed to mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the University’s reported financial results, and ensure that reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage day-to-day accounting operations and staff while ensuring dual coverage of all functions; serve as backup on critical functions, with particular attention to cash management.
• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of transactional activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue recognition, payroll, bank reconciliations, and debt payments.
• Maintain the chart of accounts, an orderly record keeping system, and a system of controls over accounting transactions.
• Ensure month and year end financial closes and reporting are completed timely and in accordance with GAAP, variances are minimal or explained, and issues are resolved timely.
• Monitor and confirm financial condition by conducting regular audits. Manage the external audit function and provide timely and accurate information to internal and external auditors, tax consultants and other outsourced services.
• Review department and roll-up P&L results, identify variances to budget, provide explanations for material unresolved variances.
• Manage monthly financial reviews with senior management and department budget holders and ensure action items are documented and resolved.
• Collaborate with financial planning in the preparation of yearly budgets. Respond to inquiries from budget holders in a timely manner.
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; filing financial reports; advising management on needed actions and complying with debt covenants.
• Ensure accounting policies & procedures are developed and maintained current and accurate in electronic format.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May perform other duties and responsibilities that management deems necessary from time to time.

POSITION IN ORGANIZATION

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Positions Supervised: Accounts Payable Specialists, Financial Operations Manager, Staff Accountants, Vendor Support

TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL & PEOPLE SKILLS REQUIRED

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Incumbents will be evaluated, in part, based on performance of each essential function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Experience managing an accounting team, to include general ledger, creating financial reports, and managing the close process. Advanced Excel skills required, as well as experience with multiple financial systems and software.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in accounting required, including cash management; experience in higher education preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.

LICENSURE and/or CERTIFICATION

• CPA license required

TRAVEL

Periodic travel to campus locations and for training and professional development required.

BUSINESS COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Being Resilient - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Innovation - Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Drives Engagement (People Managers Only) - Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
• People Leadership (People Managers Only) - Leads by example when it comes to finding and developing talent, with a focus on talent acquisition strategies, setting performance targets that raises standards and development of high potential talent.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment but may involve exposure to moderate noise levels. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for six to eight hours daily and includes physical demands associated with a traditional office setting, e.g., walking, standing, communicating, and other physical functions as necessary.

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.