Career Center

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Comptroller is responsible for providing the leadership and guidance for the financial accounting operations of the University and affiliates, to include Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Grants. The Comptroller works closely and in conjunction with the Executive Director of Finance in formulating and administering policy and procedures pertaining to all fiscal matters of the University and affiliates; and provides support for university programs and the mission of the University.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Financial Services

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Exercises supervision of accounting professionals, paraprofessional, and classified staff, as well as student employees assigned to the department.
2. Provide leadership and management oversight for the following functions: accounting, grants accounting, and accounts payable and fixed assets for the University and its affiliates.
3. Monitor cash flow of the University and affiliates to ensure availability of funds necessary for daily operations. Review cash flow reports and compile cash flow projection reports for review by the Chief Financial Officer, President, and/or Board of Trustees.
4. Monitor and approve all warrants including university and affiliates, Student Refund, Nursing, Perkins, and ACH.
5. Manage operating cash, short-term investments, and banking relationships of the University and affiliates.
6. Provide modeling and analysis of university operations.
7. Manage debt, including bonds, letters of credit, lines of credit, leases, and bond covenants of the University and affiliates. Regularly interact with lenders, creditors, and government agencies.
8. Compile and administer monthly investment summary.
9. Oversees the preparation of all financial statements, the annual audit (including A-133), and all financial reporting to external constituents, including IPEDS, NCAA, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, NECHE, the IRS and the State Comptroller’s office.
10. Ensure compliance with standards and best practices issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of College and University Business Officers, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Education, and other agencies. Maintain current knowledge of all accounting issues affecting higher education.
11. Monitor and collaborate with Financial Aid office in the financial administration and compliance of programs at the University which include Perkins and Stafford loans, SEOG, Pell, and Work-Study
12. Collaborate with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs regarding grant draw-downs and other grant reporting and reconciliation functions.
13. Make presentations to the President's Cabinet and/or Board of Trustees as directed by the Chief Financial Officer and/or President, including Finance, Investment, and Audit Committees.
14. Coordinate with the Development Office regarding accounting for all gifts including stock, real property, annuities, and pledges receivable.
15. Develop, promote, and follow sound fiscal practices, procedures, and internal controls in the conduct of the business and financial affairs of the University and affiliates. Monitor and evaluate financial programs on an ongoing basis to ensure their effectiveness.
16. Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with all departments through understanding the purpose and objective; provide departments with guidance about financial matters to ensure needs are met in a timely and customer-focused manner.
17. Provide supervision, coaching and training to Accounting staff, including evaluation of performance related to strategic goals. Promote accountability and stewardship of university funds.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or closely related field.
2. Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive accounting or financial reporting experience of which five (5) years have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity and included supervising, hiring and evaluating staff; seven (7) years of audit experience of public higher education with managerial responsibilities may be substituted.
3. A thorough knowledge of and experience in accounting methodology, business procedures, financial spreadsheets, and computerized financial database management is required.
4. Exceptional communication, organizational, managerial, team building, and leadership skills
5. In-depth knowledge of GAAP for Colleges and Universities and possess comprehensive knowledge of financial management, accounting, auditing, and grant management functions.
6. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning platform and Microsoft Software.
7. Ability to analyze complex financial information and operational systems
8. Highly proficient oral and written communication skills.
9. Ability to work with a diverse constituency throughout the campus and in the external community.
10. Excellent leadership and team-building skills and an ability to promote collaboration, teamwork, and partnerships with internal and external constituents.
11. Possess effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
12. Very detailed and results oriented with an ability to set priorities, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
13. Must be able to satisfactorily pass a check conducted by the Criminal History Systems Board/Sexual Offender Registry Information (CORI/SORI), as well as a completed background check satisfactory to the university.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.
2. Extensive knowledge of Banner finance module or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Microsoft Software.
3. Accounting experience in an educational environment, preferably public higher education or Commonwealth government.

About Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University, located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is a public institution dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies. Founded in 1894, the university now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master's degree programs, and 7,000 full and part-time students.

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