Comptroller
Job Description:
Serving in Financial Planning and Operations within the Division of Administration and Finance, the Comptroller position provides managerial leadership and oversight for the offices of the Comptroller. This position provides expertise over the daily operations and management of institutional accounting and related reporting. The key position responsibilities include ensuring compliance with all applicable Federal, State of Maryland and University System of Maryland (USM) regulations and policies related to financial accounting and reporting. Manages and oversees accounting operations, including general ledger, grants accounting, payroll, accounts payable, non-student accounts receivable, financial reporting, and auxiliary services accounting. Recommends financial policies and procedures which align and support the University’s strategic priorities, while maintaining responsible fiscal management. Ensures the unit consistently performs with a high level of customer focus, service, diplomacy, confidentiality and trust. Provides direct operational management and oversight to the Assistant Comptroller and AP Manager.
This is a hybrid remote/in person role with some on campus work required.
Responsibilities:
Management & Supervision of team - Provide direct operational leadership to 2 positions (Assistant Comptroller and AP manager) and control the associated departmental expenditure budget. Specific oversight includes accounts payable, accounts receivables, grants accounting, federal draw downs, payroll, reconciliations, and monthly and yearly closing. Manage multiple local bank accounts. Supervise unrestricted fiscal spending to ensure sufficient financial controls to safeguard institutional funds while allowing the institution to accomplish its programmatic mission. Coach, train and motivate staff; create and promote a positive work environment; manage employee relations; manage the workflow and prioritization of projects and measure the performance of the division and staff; evaluate work and make effective recommendations and provide constructive feedback. In partnership with the University Budget Office recommend financial goals, policies, and procedures which align with and support strategic priorities, while maintaining responsible fiscal management. In partnership with the University Budget Office and Procurement Office implements financial goals, objectives, and priorities ensuring accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state laws, USM policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
Financial leadership - Strategy, Analysis & Metrics - Ensure the accurate and timely processing of accounting and student account transactions. Ensure all transactions comply with Federal, State of Maryland and USM policies, regulations and generally accepted accounting practices. Recommend improvements to existing fiscal management practices, improve procedures and introduce best practices. Extract, develop and analyze data from institutional databases, systems and tools to satisfy internal and external requests, financial analyses and reports.
Prepare required reports and surveys required by regulatory agencies (i.e. such as IPEDS and FISAP). Responsible for the development and submission of the interim and annual financial statements, financial metrics and other reports to external entities. Monthly and year end activities and reporting (i.e. ad hoc analysis associated with financial statements, external reporting, reconciliation, UB Foundation billing and indirect cost entries for 40xx departments.
Data integrity/ownership/systems - Serve as the business owner for technology, data tools and systems used for modeling and reporting. Ensure continuous development of data and reporting skills of the team including module and enhancement user documentation, test scripts and data extraction. Foster the use of information systems and technology to maximize efficiencies and effectiveness of data in support of decision-making. Recommend emerging information technology solutions and training in support of fiscal business intelligence. Serve as the subject matter expert and business owner for all financial system upgrades and enhancements. Responsible for all required testing, development and maintenance of testing scripts, serve as subject matter expert for payroll, general ledger and accounts receivable modules (PeopleSoft). Provide data and reporting expertise to the user community.
Audit and Stewardship - Manage all aspects of internal and external audits and reviews including follow-up responses and corrective actions. Continuously review University controls, established policies and procedures which mitigate risk and ensure compliance. Perform internal audits and reviews as needed. Provide leadership to institutional business and financial managers. Actively collaborate with financial managers in the management of their operating budgets; operational revenue and expenses, introduce best practices and training to strengthen them as financial stewards. Serve on, or support shared governance, strategy planning and recruitment committees and taskforces.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Management, Finance or Economics. CPA required.
Experience: Seven years of related accounting experience, with three years of progressive management and direct supervision and three years in a financial and business setting within a college/university or comparable organization. Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analytically and to apply financial tools in the analysis of data is essential. Proven familiarity working with an ERP/integrated technology, including data extraction and presentation of data in a format suitable for executive decision making is required. Strong oral/written skills and the ability to perform with a high degree of diplomacy, confidentiality and professionalism are required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education: MBA or master’s degree in accounting, finance or information systems.
Experience: Experience with PeopleSoft Student Finance, Workday Finance and Human Capital Management modules and Adaptive Budget Planning in a public higher education environment.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The successful candidate will have advanced understanding, experience, skills and qualities listed below:
• Knowledge of GAAP and GASB changes and the ability to explain them to non-financial colleagues.
• Knowledge of University System of Maryland (USM), Board of Regents (BOR), State of Maryland (SOM) and Federals laws, policies, and procedures pertaining to the operation of public universities, non-profits business entities and sponsored research and grants management.
• Abilities to establish goals, structures and processes which align with the institution’s long-term strategic plan and vision and short-term priorities.
• Leadership, coaching and teambuilding skills to strengthen and cultivate relations with the Comptroller’s staff, Financial Operations peers, institutional finance managers and USM colleagues.
• Effective operational, management and analytical skills and the ability to problem solve and make sound recommendations.
• Proven applicable experience working in and extracting data from an Enterprise Resources Planning system, business analytics or other relevant system application or software.
• The ability to influence and lead others outside of reporting lines to achieve common goals and deadlines.
• The ability to present (orally or in writing) complex financial issues to non-financial constituents.
• The ability to provide clear and concise analysis and summaries of financial data, respond effectively to questions and prepare material in response to inquiries.
• The ability to perform professionally employing inherent customer services strategies, exercising judgment, discretion, confidentiality and leading by example.
We offer a competitive benefits package, including health, life, prescription, and dental plans, tuition remission benefits, paid leave (22 days of annual, 15 days of sick, 3 days of personal, and 14-15 holidays) and retirement plans with employer contributions. You can see more details on our benefits here.
Higher Education
Finance, General Business, and Accounting/Auditing
Full-time