Assistant Controller

East Stroudsburg University - East Stroudsburg, PA

Full-time - Mid Level

East Stroudsburg, PA

Educational Services

About the position

East Stroudsburg University is hiring an Assistant Controller! Located in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, ESU's proximity to New York City and Philadelphia provides convenient access to internships, careers and social activities. Just minutes from campus are the country's largest water parks, scenic Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area, Appalachian Trail, and other opportunities for recreational fun. As the Assistant Controller, you will need to think creatively and be comfortable overseeing the day-to-day accounting and fiscal activities for the University. You will be an active member of the Business Office team and will work closely with the Controller to ensure that all accounting compliance, principles, and regulations for the department are successfully executed. Additionally, this role is responsible for preparing the University's financial statements for internal and external audits. You will thrive in this role if you like combining your accomplished accounting experience and extensive supervisory skills while improving and regulating the Universities cash management system. To be successful in this role the applicant must possess previous accounting experience, critical thinking skills for problem solving, and a proven ability to make independent decisions to support the needs of the university and its students. Your normal hours will be Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, but you may have to flex your schedule from time to time based on the needs of the business to be a true Assistant Controller. 25% Travel is required for the role to attend system-wide meeting along with professional development events. When our team shows up for work, they are energized and motivated to succeed all while being the most crucial piece to keeping the ESU operations humming.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for general ledger; fixed asset, cash, inventory, student loan, and project accounting; accounts payable; and miscellaneous accounts receivable.
• Responsible for the University's cash management, monitoring cash flow, and has a detail knowledge of state system's centralized cash management system.
• Supervises the capitalization of all University property, leases and projects.
• Serves as liaison to all auditors including external auditors and internal auditors, Pennsylvania Auditor General, Pennsylvania Department of Treasury.
• Coordinates management responses and corrective actions to audit reports and findings working closely with the Controller, Chief Financial Officer, as well as Technology and other staff.
• Maintains a system of internal control to ensure all fiscal operations comply with Commonwealth, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Board of Governors, and federal policies, laws and regulations as well as the GASB.
• Handles all insurance claims for incidents and accidents on campus, maintaining a productive relationship with the Bureau of Risk Management.
• Coordinates accounting and reporting systems with Information Technology staff, including providing functional support of system implementations and testing.
• Maintains thorough working knowledge of the institution's financial management ERP system and student information system to ensure staff have the required knowledge needed for their areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for accurate and timely posting of transactions to the general ledger while ensuring fiscal integrity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and University policies and procedures.
• Provides financial expertise to special projects involving institution-wide initiatives.
• Instructs staff on accounting related issues and new directives from NACUBO and PASSHE.
• Responsible for the development and preparation of monthly and annual financial reports including FINRPT and Dashboards.
• Reviews and makes recommendations for new and/or revised policies related to college finances and student accounts.
• Leads the financial and student accounts staff. Identifies and implements professional development opportunities for staff; trains staff on new accounting procedures and accounting system enhancements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting required.
• Active Certified Public Accountant license required.
• 7+ years of experience in accounting, with increasing responsibilities over the 7+ year period.
• 5+ years of full charge supervisory experience, preferably in a higher education, unionized environment is preferred.
• 1+ years of experience with financial statement preparation and experience overseeing annual financial statements audit, A-133/single audit.
• Well-developed skills in establishing internal controls and accounting and business policies and procedures.
• Technical skills: Word (tables, reports, merging), Excel (formulas, pivot tables, graphs), and MS Teams.
• Management style that emphasizes teamwork, communication, trust, patience, professionalism, sensitivity, and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to deliver quality work on tight deadlines, with strong organizational and priority setting skills.
• High level of independent judgment, discretion, and business acumen.
• Excellent oral and written skills and excellent use of grammar and composition.
• Self-motivated and highly detail-oriented problem solver with strong analytical skills.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Able to read, write, and comprehend English; able to follow verbal instructions.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, or business-related field preferred.
• Experience using relational databases such as SAP and Banner.

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits package including benefits such as medical from date of hire, retirement contributions, employee wellness program, and paid leave.
• Salary: Based on Experience.