What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controller position at Bryn Mawr College?
Position Title
Controller
Bryn Mawr College
Treasurer's Office
Location:
Bryn Mawr College Campus
Job Description
Position Overview: Bryn Mawr College invites applications for a collaborative and results-driven leader to serve as the College's next Controller. The Controller is a key member of the College's financial leadership team, providing College-wide strategic oversight of financial accounting, operations, external reporting, compliance, and risk management. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Controller serves as the College's principal accounting officer and works closely with senior administrators, faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees to ensure a strong and efficient financial control environment that supports the College's educational mission. The Controller leads an office of thirteen employees responsible for the following functions:
Position Responsibilities
While no one person may possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional experiences and characteristics.
Qualifications
Weekly Hours
35
Controller
Bryn Mawr College
Treasurer's Office
Location:
Bryn Mawr College Campus
Job Description
Position Overview: Bryn Mawr College invites applications for a collaborative and results-driven leader to serve as the College's next Controller. The Controller is a key member of the College's financial leadership team, providing College-wide strategic oversight of financial accounting, operations, external reporting, compliance, and risk management. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Controller serves as the College's principal accounting officer and works closely with senior administrators, faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees to ensure a strong and efficient financial control environment that supports the College's educational mission. The Controller leads an office of thirteen employees responsible for the following functions:
- Financial, endowment, and grant accounting
- Financial reporting
- Policy development
- Tax management
- Procurement and accounts payable
- Payroll processing
- Accounts receivable and student accounts
- Cash management
- Debt payments and regulatory reporting
Position Responsibilities
- Develop, refine, and maintain financial and internal control systems that protect College resources and ensure compliance with GAAP, FASB standards, College policy, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all financial reporting, including the College's annual financial statements and required tax filings (IRS Forms 990 and 990T, state tax returns, and other filings).
- Oversee financial, endowment, and grant accounting; procurement and accounts payable; payroll processing; accounts receivable and student accounts; and cash management, balancing efficient transaction processing with excellent customer service.
- Coordinate compliance and risk management programs College-wide, including timely payment of debt service and compliance with bond covenants and post-issuance debt requirements.
- Serve as the principal liaison to the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees, reporting on financial results and risk and leading Committee discussions.
- Provide leadership, development, and supervision for the Controller's Office staff, setting priorities and standards and coaching performance.
- Identify and lead opportunities to improve processes and systems, including the selection, implementation, and maintenance of financial software and technology.
- Support budget development, monitoring, and periodic projections of budgeted and financial statement results in partnership with College leadership.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
While no one person may possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional experiences and characteristics.
Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree and current CPA certification are required; a master's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field are strongly preferred.
- A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in higher education as an accounting professional, including senior management experience, is required; equivalent experience at a public accounting firm with a higher education client base will be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in the oversight of general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, grants, and fund accounting.
- Knowledge of and experience with accounting information and ERP systems; proficiency with Microsoft Office and other productivity and communication tools. Proficiency in Workday is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and lead staff effectively; committed to the value of diversity in the workplace.
- Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills; excellent written and verbal communication.
- Demonstrated commitment to timely and transparent communication with key college stakeholders and campus partners.
- Integrity, the highest ethical standards, and the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
- High level of professionalism, motivation, and initiative; ability to work under pressure and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Successful completion of satisfactory background checks.
Weekly Hours
35