What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controller position at Spelman College?
Posting Details
Position Information
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization throughout employment. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
This position is contingent upon the availability of sufficient funding.
Position Title
Controller
Position Summary
The Controller serves as a strategic financial leader and key member of the Business & Finance team, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and stewardship of the College's financial resources. This position provides leadership for accounting operations, financial reporting, cash flow management, debt administration, payroll, student accounts, audit coordination, and regulatory compliance.
The Controller partners closely with senior leadership to provide financial analysis, support strategic decision-making, strengthen internal controls, and ensure the College's fiscal sustainability. The successful candidate balances strong technical accounting expertise with a collaborative, service-oriented approach that supports the College's educational mission.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Leadership and Strategy
• Partner with the CFO and senior leadership to support the College's strategic and financial goals.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support institutional decision-making.
• Develop and monitor key financial performance indicators and cash flow projections.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, operational efficiencies, and internal controls.
• Participate in long-range financial planning and institutional sustainability initiatives.
Financial Reporting and Accounting Operations
• Oversee the preparation and accuracy of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), FASB standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to higher education.
• Direct the College's general ledger, accounting, accounts payable, and related financial operations.
• Maintain effective accounting policies, procedures, and internal control systems.
• Review account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial analyses.
Cash Flow and Treasury Management
• Manage the College's cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning processes.
• Monitor daily cash positions and recommend strategies to optimize cash resources.
• Collaborate with the CFO regarding investments, banking relationships, and treasury management activities.
• Ensure timely processing of debt service obligations and other financial commitments.
Debt Administration
• Oversee debt reporting, compliance, and payment processes.
• Monitor bond covenants and lender requirements, ensuring ongoing compliance.
• Prepare debt-related analyses and schedules for senior leadership, auditors, and trustees.
Audit and Tax Compliance
• Serve as the primary institutional liaison for external auditors.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audits and other required audits.
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Ensure timely completion of required federal, state, and regulatory filings.
Payroll Administration
• Provide oversight of payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, tax withholdings, benefits deductions, and reporting requirements.
• Review payroll controls and implement process improvements.
• Coordinate with Human Resources regarding payroll-related matters.
Student Accounts and Receivables
• Oversee student accounts operations, including billing, collections, refunds, and receivables management.
• Monitor student account aging and recommend strategies to improve collections and reduce outstanding balances.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations related to student financial transactions.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management and Financial Aid to support student-centered service and operational effectiveness.
Compliance and Internal Controls
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation-related financial requirements.
• Maintain strong internal control environments and risk management practices.
• Develop and update financial policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance with institutional policies and regulatory obligations.
• Support external reporting requirements and financial transparency initiatives.
Leadership and Team Development
• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for accounting, accounts payable, payroll, and student accounts staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Establish performance expectations and support employee growth and development.
• Promote cross-functional partnerships across campus.
Required Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience.
• Demonstrates experience preparing and analyzing financial statements.
• Experience overseeing audits, cash management, payroll, and compliance functions.
• Supervisory and leadership experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Strong understanding of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and financial reporting.
• Expertise in cash flow forecasting, treasury management, and debt administration.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data and communicate findings effectively.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, compliance requirements, and risk management.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with ERP, financial management, payroll, and reporting systems.
Preferred Qualifications
• CPA designation strongly preferred.
• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations.
• Knowledge of higher education accounting standards, student account operations, and regulatory requirements.
Certifications, Licenses, Restrictions
CPA certificate preferred, but not required
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: walk, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to: use of hands for computers and to movie items, and reach with hands and arms. Employee is occasionally required to: stand, walk, stoop or kneel or crouch or crawl, and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. No special vision requirements beyond regular sight are necessary for performance of this position.
Shift
Days
% Travel Required
Full Time/Part Time
Full-time
Work Location/Schedule:
This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
FLSA
Exempt
Number of Vacancies
1
Anticipated Candidate Start Date
Position End Date
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
SC0923P
Posting Open Date
Posting Closing Date
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
EEO Statement
Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke-free campus.
Position Information
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization throughout employment. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
This position is contingent upon the availability of sufficient funding.
Position Title
Controller
Position Summary
The Controller serves as a strategic financial leader and key member of the Business & Finance team, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and stewardship of the College's financial resources. This position provides leadership for accounting operations, financial reporting, cash flow management, debt administration, payroll, student accounts, audit coordination, and regulatory compliance.
The Controller partners closely with senior leadership to provide financial analysis, support strategic decision-making, strengthen internal controls, and ensure the College's fiscal sustainability. The successful candidate balances strong technical accounting expertise with a collaborative, service-oriented approach that supports the College's educational mission.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Leadership and Strategy
• Partner with the CFO and senior leadership to support the College's strategic and financial goals.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support institutional decision-making.
• Develop and monitor key financial performance indicators and cash flow projections.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, operational efficiencies, and internal controls.
• Participate in long-range financial planning and institutional sustainability initiatives.
Financial Reporting and Accounting Operations
• Oversee the preparation and accuracy of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), FASB standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to higher education.
• Direct the College's general ledger, accounting, accounts payable, and related financial operations.
• Maintain effective accounting policies, procedures, and internal control systems.
• Review account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial analyses.
Cash Flow and Treasury Management
• Manage the College's cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning processes.
• Monitor daily cash positions and recommend strategies to optimize cash resources.
• Collaborate with the CFO regarding investments, banking relationships, and treasury management activities.
• Ensure timely processing of debt service obligations and other financial commitments.
Debt Administration
• Oversee debt reporting, compliance, and payment processes.
• Monitor bond covenants and lender requirements, ensuring ongoing compliance.
• Prepare debt-related analyses and schedules for senior leadership, auditors, and trustees.
Audit and Tax Compliance
• Serve as the primary institutional liaison for external auditors.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audits and other required audits.
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Ensure timely completion of required federal, state, and regulatory filings.
Payroll Administration
• Provide oversight of payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, tax withholdings, benefits deductions, and reporting requirements.
• Review payroll controls and implement process improvements.
• Coordinate with Human Resources regarding payroll-related matters.
Student Accounts and Receivables
• Oversee student accounts operations, including billing, collections, refunds, and receivables management.
• Monitor student account aging and recommend strategies to improve collections and reduce outstanding balances.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations related to student financial transactions.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management and Financial Aid to support student-centered service and operational effectiveness.
Compliance and Internal Controls
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation-related financial requirements.
• Maintain strong internal control environments and risk management practices.
• Develop and update financial policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance with institutional policies and regulatory obligations.
• Support external reporting requirements and financial transparency initiatives.
Leadership and Team Development
• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for accounting, accounts payable, payroll, and student accounts staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Establish performance expectations and support employee growth and development.
• Promote cross-functional partnerships across campus.
Required Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience.
• Demonstrates experience preparing and analyzing financial statements.
• Experience overseeing audits, cash management, payroll, and compliance functions.
• Supervisory and leadership experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Strong understanding of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and financial reporting.
• Expertise in cash flow forecasting, treasury management, and debt administration.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data and communicate findings effectively.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, compliance requirements, and risk management.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with ERP, financial management, payroll, and reporting systems.
Preferred Qualifications
• CPA designation strongly preferred.
• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations.
• Knowledge of higher education accounting standards, student account operations, and regulatory requirements.
Certifications, Licenses, Restrictions
CPA certificate preferred, but not required
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: walk, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to: use of hands for computers and to movie items, and reach with hands and arms. Employee is occasionally required to: stand, walk, stoop or kneel or crouch or crawl, and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. No special vision requirements beyond regular sight are necessary for performance of this position.
Shift
Days
% Travel Required
Full Time/Part Time
Full-time
Work Location/Schedule:
This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
FLSA
Exempt
Number of Vacancies
1
Anticipated Candidate Start Date
Position End Date
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
SC0923P
Posting Open Date
Posting Closing Date
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
EEO Statement
Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke-free campus.