Controller

The primary purpose of this position is to lead and manage the accounting, payroll, and student accounts departments. This position is responsible for the integrity of the University’s financial assets, providing accurate and timely financial information (e.g., audits, tax filings, grants, accounts payable, student accounts, etc.) to internal and external constituents, billing and collecting tuition, and leading and developing staff.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Oversee Business Office; train, supervise, mentor and evaluate staff. 

• Direct and supervise the functions of General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, University Receivables, Student Accounts Receivable, and supports Grants & Contracts Accounting activities. 

• Collaborate with all university departments on all financial related matters.  

• Supervises the maintenance of all accounting records, bank accounts, receipting and disbursing of all university funds. 

• Coordinates with Office of Research & Sponsored Projects on programs supported by restricted funds to ensure the proper management of such funds. 

• Review and approve transactions in Emburse as required. 

• Assist in the external audits of the University’s financial statements and other audits. 

• Monitor and maintain cash balances. Perform wire transfers, debt payments, and other wire and ACH transactions. 

• Design, establish, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing plan to effectively achieve department goals and objectives; directs the recruitment, development, performance management, and evaluation of divisional staff. 

• Oversee the Banner Finance module. 

• Reviews unrestricted General Ledger each month for possible over-expenditure, anomalies and errors. 

• Serves as primary liaison with representatives of external funding agencies and organizations, as appropriate; provides special data and analysis. 

• Recommends and participates in the development of university policies and procedures; may serve on university planning and policy-making committees. 

• Establish open lines of communication with other NM Regional Universities. 

• Provide leadership and oversight of the organization's accounting, financial reporting, and compliance functions, ensuring adherence to GASB, GAAP, federal and state regulations, OMB Uniform Guidance, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), grant compliance requirements, and other applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements. 

• Maintain bank account administration and user access controls in coordination with the Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA), including establishing, monitoring, and updating authorized users, transaction limits, approval hierarchies, and security controls to safeguard university assets.  

• Manage relationships and communications with the university's financial institutions and external banking partners, negotiating services, resolving operational issues, coordinating account administration, and supporting the University's cash management, financing, and treasury functions. 

• Maintains regular attendance. 

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Bachelor’s degree in related fields may be considered. 

• PREFERENCE:  

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. 

• EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. 

• PREFERENCE:   

• Work experience in Higher Education. 

• Experience with Banner. 

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays, odd hours, and emergency calls. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:  

• Knowledge of software to quantify and illustrate complex financial reports, comparisons, impacts, and/or projections. 

• Knowledge of and experience in business management, with emphasis in general ledger, budgeting, accounts payable, information systems, GAAP, FASB and GASB. 

• Demonstrated success in providing leadership and supervision of staff and projects. 

• Effective written and oral communication skills. 

• Ability to make timely decisions on accounting matters. 

• Ability to work with governmental agencies and regulatory bodies. 

• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures. 

• Knowledge of organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. 

• Knowledge of internal control frameworks, risk assessment practices, and audit processes, including financial statement audits, single audits, and compliance audits. 

• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. 

• Ability to gather data and analyze information, and prepare reports, including financial statements. 

• Ability to review and evaluate fiscal and other impacts of legislative initiatives.  

• Ability to train employees in areas related to duties. 

• Ability to communicate technical information to nontechnical audiences, both orally and in writing. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitve information. 

• Ability to work effectively with all levels of management, staff, and employees. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, including financial modeling, reporting, and data analysis.