Vice President & Controller

Vice President & Controller

Full time, 80 hours per pay period, Day shift

Covenant Health Overview:

Covenant Health is the region’s top-performing healthcare network with 10 hospitals, outpatient and specialty services, and Covenant Medical Group, our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer. Our more than 11,000 employees, volunteers, and 1,500 affiliated physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than two million patients and families we serve every year. Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named a Forbes “Best Employer” seven times.

Position Summary:

Provides enterprise-level leadership for Covenant Health’s core accounting and financial operations, encompassing accounting, fixed assets, financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, tax, and reimbursement. Ensures financial integrity through strong governance, internal controls, and regulatory compliance while supporting accurate, timely financial information across the system. Partners with executive leadership to support strategic decision-making and the long-term financial health of the organization.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Leadership, Talent Development & Governance Support

• Provides direct leadership and oversight of finance professionals, ensuring accountability, performance, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Leads the development of finance talent through mentoring, performance management, and succession planning to build a strong, sustainable leadership pipeline.
• Partners with executive leadership and governance bodies to support informed decision-making, stewardship, and enterprise-wide financial accountability.
• Represents the finance function in system-wide initiatives and cross-functional leadership forums, reinforcing transparency, collaboration, and organizational credibility.

Operational Accounting, Financial Reporting & Audit

• Provides enterprise oversight of accounting, audit, and financial reporting functions, ensuring financial integrity, balance sheet accuracy, and compliance with GAAP and organizational policies.
• Oversees the monthly close process, including review and approval of journal entries and reconciliation of complex general ledger accounts.
• Supervises, coordinates, and participates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements, monthly financial analysis reports, and other financial reporting provided to senior leadership and external agencies.
• Coordinates the annual financial statement audits for Covenant Health and all supporting organizations, including required consolidated reporting, and ensures audit readiness and issue resolution.
• Researches, documents, and approves technical accounting position memoranda and leads complex accounting and reporting initiatives as needed.

Operational Accounting, Financial Reporting & Audit

• Provides executive oversight of accounts payable and payroll operations to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant processing across the organization.
• Ensures strong internal controls, policy compliance, and appropriate segregation of duties related to disbursements and payroll activities.
• Oversees system processes and reporting related to vendor payments, employee payroll, and related liabilities.

Tax & Reimbursement

• Provides executive oversight of tax and reimbursement functions, including compliance, reporting, and coordination of required filings.
• Oversees reimbursement and cost reporting activities, ensuring accurate reporting and compliance with applicable federal, state, and payer regulations.
• Monitors regulatory and legislative developments impacting tax and reimbursement and ensures appropriate organizational response.

Systems, Talent Development & Other Responsibilities

• Assists in maintaining and enhancing the organization’s ERP platform, ensuring strong integration and consistency across subsidiaries.
• Participates in the mentoring and management of accounting directors, managers, and staff, supporting leadership development and succession planning.
• May perform lead role in coordinating complex projects by overseeing the work of others.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein in support of organizational priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Minimum Experience:

Minimum of seven (7) years progressive management accounting experience; five (5) or more years of health care experience a plus; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licensure Requirement:

CPA required.