Associate Vice President / Controller

Summary

Position Title

Associate Vice President / Controller

Department

Financial Affairs

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Vice President / Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Associate Vice President for Financial Management & Controller (AVP) will be responsible for oversight of all Jacksonville University accounting and financial operations and for maintaining a strong financial and internal control environment. This individual leads a team of five direct reports in the functions of Accounting, Resource Management, Payroll, and Purchasing & General Services. S/he will oversee accounting functions that include payroll processing, general accounting operations, accounts payable, internal and external financial reporting, and tax reporting. The position will also support treasury operations, the long-range financial plan, and the annual budget preparation process. The AVP will be involved in supporting the CFO in presentations to the Finance and Audit & Compliance Committees of the Board of Trustees and will work closely with the University’s senior leadership team. The AVP will provide high-quality service and solutions, engaging with all areas of the University in a transparent manner to strengthen the overall effectiveness of the University's financial operations and works to improve the dissemination and use of financial information.

Key Responsibilities 

• Resource Management - The AVP supervises the Director of Resource Management and actively
  participates in the formulation of long-term financial plans and financial modeling. The AVP
  works closely with the Board’s Finance Committee, as well as the third-party investment advisor,
  to monitor investments in the University’s endowment portfolio. The AVP manages all aspects
  of outstanding debt and working capital balances.
• Accounting and Financial Statements - The AVP supervises the Director of Accounting, Payroll Manager, and Financial Operations & Compliance Manager while participating in the creation of accounting records and journal entries during the monthly closing process, documents and monitors internal financial controls, and drafts GAAP financial statements.
• Purchasing and General Services – The AVP will oversee the Purchasing Director, who has responsibility for the areas of Purchasing, Mailroom, and Copy Center.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Fiscal Operations and Office Management and Leadership

• Develops capacity of financial and business operations to continue to meet the needs of a growing university in a high quality, customer-oriented, and cost-effective manner.
• Formulates department goals and objectives, sets priorities and evaluates staff performance.
• Develops and controls budget for departments reporting to the AVP.
• Organizes staff to meet all campus business demands and assesses the level of service offered the campus community to maximize affordability and accountability through partnership and teamwork.
• Implements systems, procedures, processes and new approaches that continually promote and
  assure quality improvement.

University Revenue and Expenditure Control

• Identify strategic opportunities to improve processes within the department and throughout the University, including involvement in establishing business practices for new University initiatives.
• Directs financial planning and analysis, and the budget preparation and review processes. Develop, maintain, and analyze operating budget and financial projections.
• Manages the reporting of financial information from all operations.
• Responsible for investment management, cash management, and debt financing activities. Establish and maintain relationships with the University's banking partners and other financial institutions
• Works with Director of Capital Projects and Director of Resource Management to develop the capital forecast and administer capital expenditures.

University fiscal integrity and audit compliance

• Ensure tax-exempt bond accounting and compliance.
• Monitor financial and internal controls including, but not limited to the timely performance, documentation and review of account reconciliations.
• Maintain the general ledger system and chart of accounts; assure that any accounting issues are promptly identified and resolved.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all financial reporting; prepare the University's annual financial statements; meet other external reporting requirements; prepare or oversee the University's various tax filings (IRS Forms 990 and 990T; state reporting requirements; sales tax, employment taxes, etc.)
• Ensures that University financial policies and practices comply with all regulatory, legal, oversight bodies (accreditors, NCAA, etc.) and prudent business standards; monitors internal and external deadlines and requirements; acts as primary contact for tax issues. Proactively and strategically communicate those developments and their projected impact on the University, while ensuring adequate enforcement.
• Develop and maintain private higher education business models and key operating metrics.
• Reviews the output of direct and indirect reports to ensure the quality and integrity of the financial data and ensure that all applicable reporting deadlines are met.
• Provides fiscal leadership to this reporting unit and oversight to the campus community for fiscal policy adherence.
• Acts as the point of contact for all audit activities within the University.
• Reviews all audit findings and implements corrective action as required.

University fiscal policy and procedure advisement and development

• Participates as a member of various University committees, teams and work groups. Attends regular meetings of Financial Affairs management team and other groups, as required.
• Interprets laws and regulations to assist administrators at all levels in resolving fiscal problems.
• Provides fiscal consultation as requested.
• Facilitates communications through campus, system-wide and other various forums.

Performs other job-related duties and special projects as assigned

Qualitifcations

Experience: 

• 10+ years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience in a complex private, non-profit, higher education organization that includes managing a professional staff.
• A Bachelor's degree is required. A Masters degree is preferred.
• Ability to manage people and processes as well as perform analysis and tasks independently as required.
• Keen analytic and organizational skills that allow for strategic data interpretation in addition to reporting.
• Strong problem solving skills with proactive approach to devising and implementing improvements to financial operations and reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, Board of Directors, and external partners; ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.
• Expertise with enterprise (ERP) systems, with a preference for previous experience with Ellucian’s Datatel-Colleague system, Microsoft D365, or other ERP systems.

Difficulty and Complexity:

• This position requires a high degree of professionalism and an ability to interact with a variety of
  entities and individuals.
• While limited physical exertion is involved, considerable mental and emotional pressures exist.
• The ability to coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously and handle tension and stress in a positive manner is required.
• Evening/weekend work may be required.

Work Conditions

• No risks or discomforts are imposed upon this position by the physical surroundings or job
  situation.
• Primarily indoors except when traveling between campus buildings.
• Some off-campus travel may be required.
• Work is performed under minimum supervision and requires incumbent to exercise independence and discretion.

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and scientific equipment
• Near vision sufficient to read written communications and computer display screens
• Adequate hearing to communicate effectively in person and by phone

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

To Apply

Interested applicants are asked to submit a completed JU Application and resume to Randy Freebourn at rfreebo@ju.edu.