Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Associate Controller

POSTING SUMMARY

Teachers College, Columbia University (the College) is seeking an Associate Controller. Reporting to the Associate Vice President & Controller, the Associate Controller will be responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process and implementing financial controls, general and operational accounting, tax and other compliance reporting and treasury and endowment functions; maintaining financial integrity of data to ensure compliance with regulatory and audit requirements.

The incumbent will lead and support a team of eight Accounting & Financial Systems personnel through supervision, training and mentoring and will serve as a strategic partner across the College. The ideal candidate should be a solution-oriented, problem-solver possessing forward-thinking perspectives that embrace process improvement, automation, change, data-informed decision making and possess the ability to lead a team through training and knowledge transfer.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Associate Controller will be responsible for general accounting operations, financial reporting, cash management and treasury functions, investment and endowment accounting and reporting, tax and other compliance reporting and financial system operations. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the College’s financial records are properly stated and managed, assets are safeguarded, routine and non-routine account analyses are performed, financial reporting requirements and compliance initiatives are timely managed, finance staff are supported and recommends and implements accounting policies and operational procedures. The Associate Controller will manage a team of eight professional staff, including three direct reports.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting:

• Prepare and fairly present multiple (currently five) annual financial statements in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Research, evaluate and implement accounting methods, practices and standards established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to ensure full compliance with GAAP
• Serve as the primary liaison between the College and external auditors and coordinate and manage all audits
• Oversee and manage month and year-end financial reporting close processes

Cash Management & Treasury Operations and Investment & Endowment Accounting & Reporting:

• Direct and manage banking relationships, cash management requirements and make recommendations to ensure sufficient liquidity is available to meet operating needs and excess reserves are prudently invested
• Provide oversight for monthly cash position projections and analyses
• Review and oversee endowment activity including investment fund manager account reconciliations, preparation and submission of fund onboarding requirements including subscription documents, recurring monthly capital calls and distribution activities, donor endowment pool unitization and share allocations and analysis and assess monthly endowment funding requirements

General Accounting & Financial System Operations:

• Manage all aspects of the general ledger including chart of account maintenance, associated reporting structures and integrity of financial data and systems
• Oversight for monthly, quarterly and yearly reconciliations, account analyses and preparation of financial reports
• Enhance, automate and reorganize existing business processes and procedures to improve efficiencies and eliminate redundancies
• Ensure all accounting policies and operational procedures follow regulatory requirements and best practices

Tax & Other Compliance Reporting:

• Responsible for accurate and timely preparation and filing of annual tax and compliance returns and reporting including Forms 990, 990-T and related State returns, multiple State Sales and Use Tax collection and reporting, periodic State compliance reporting and other informational surveys and disclosure reports (US Census, US Department of Education, NACUBO Endowment Study, etc.)

Other:

• Represent and serve the Controller’s Office on cross functional initiatives impacting financial reporting, treasury functions, general accounting operations and compliance matters supporting the College’s strategic priorities and other requirements through working groups, committees and team collaboration
• Serve as an experienced liaison interacting with administrators across the College on financial and accounting matters and provide direction, advisement and recommendations
• Ad-hoc reporting, analysis, special projects and assignments
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting
• 6 years of relevant experience in accounting and financial reporting preferably in the not for profit or higher education industries
• 3 years of experience managing professional and support staff in an accounting or finance department
• Knowledge and proficiency with the suite of Microsoft Office products and intermediate/advanced Excel skills
• Must possess advanced knowledge and technical competencies in accounting and financial concepts (examples include investment and contribution accounting requirements), generally accepted accounting principles and accounting standards, related regulations and best business practices
• Strong customer service skills, ability to work in a team-oriented environment, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, effective written and verbal communication and the ability to communicate accounting matters to non-financial College constituents
• Solution oriented problem solver possessing forward-thinking perspectives that embrace process improvement, automation and change
• Proven experience at building and leading a high performing accounting team through training, coaching, motivation and collaboration
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgement
• Ability to interpret and communicate changing regulations and laws resulting in timely implementation of new business practices and continuation of compliance requirements
• Ability to acclimate, adjust and respond to a continuous and changing work environment while meeting competing demands and deadlines

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree with a concentration in Finance, Accounting and/or related field
• CPA Certification or CPA track
• Experience with integrated enterprise resource planning software and core business process upgrades

Salary Range:

144,500 - 175,000

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting.  Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 

If you would like to request any disability related accommodations to complete the job application or to participate in the interview process, please email:oasid@tc.columbia.edu.

Work Modality:

Hybrid