Assistant Vice President for Business Services, Controller

Cornell College invites applications for an Assistant Vice President for Business Services / Controller, a key leadership role responsible for advancing the college’s financial operations and supporting sound institutional decision-making. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead a critical function, strengthen financial processes, and partner with senior leadership to support the long-term success of the college.

The AVP/Controller plays a vital role in ensuring financial integrity, developing strong internal controls, and fostering a collaborative, service-oriented business office that supports the broader campus community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting and financial reporting functions for the college
• Establish and maintain a strong internal control environment to safeguard financial, physical, and reputational assets
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial activity in compliance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and donor restrictions
• Manage the annual external audit and oversee the preparation and submission of federal and state financial reports
• Direct business office operations, including billing, collections, and disbursements
• Partner with the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to lead the annual budgeting process and support financial planning efforts
• Provide meaningful financial analyses and reporting to support senior leadership decision-making
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, service-oriented team

About Cornell College

Cornell College is a selective liberal arts college distinguished by our Ingenuity curriculum that builds on the strengths of our One Course At A Time schedule. This combination encourages the qualities of being thoughtful, original, and inventive, using the strengths of a liberal arts education to apply ideas to solve problems and meet challenges through hands-on experience in learning. Academic immersion, Division III NCAA athletic teams, and unparalleled flexibility attract an ambitious student body from across the U.S. and worldwide. We are located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, an urban fringe community located in the heart of the ICR Iowa region.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting / Finance required (CPA preferred). Minimum of six years of supervisory experience in a not-for-profit accounting environment with a minimum of $20 million in annual revenue preferred.  

Preferred Experience & Skills

Technical Expertise

• Knowledge of fund accounting, endowment accounting, payroll, and accounts payable
• Experience with financial systems (Microsoft Dynamics or PowerCAMPUS preferred)
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

Leadership & Management

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and mentor teams
• Experience in building strong working relationships across an organization
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion

Strategic & Operational Strengths

• Ability to translate financial data into actionable insights
• Experience in improving processes and strengthening internal controls
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A collaborative, service-oriented mindset with the ability to work effectively across campus

Working Relationships and Location

Reports to the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; supervises the team within the business office.  Daily contact with college faculty, staff, and students, and has regular contact with financial institutions, attorneys, brokers, donors, governmental officials, suppliers, trustees, and the general public.  This position is expected to work on campus with the option for 1-2 days per week of remote work.

Cornell employees enjoy a fantastic benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, HSA & FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents. The college also offers life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance. And, all full-time staff begin with a 4-week vacation accrual along with 14.5 paid holidays per year.   

Application Process

To apply, submit a resume and list of at least three professional references through Cornell College's online application system.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell complies with Iowa's Smoke-free Air Act. Cornell utilizes E-Verify and requires the satisfactory completion of a background check.