Description

$120,000 - $150,000 

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. 

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.   

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Management, Finance or Economics.

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. CPA highly preferred.

Experience:  Experience with PeopleSoft Student Finance, Workday Finance and Human Capital Management modules and Adaptive Budget Planning in a public higher education environment.