Assistant Controller

Job description

Department Information

Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado, a western suburb of Denver. The campus location offers a small-town ambiance with close proximity to all that the Denver metropolitan area has to offer with an abundance of cultural events, museums, theaters and sporting venues. An arid climate and an average 300 days of sunshine per year make the area an ideal place to live, work and play. We seek individuals who value a diverse and inclusive community - offering different perspectives, experiences, and cultures that enrich the educational and work experience.

Description of Job

The Opportunity:

The Assistant Controller reports directly to the Associate Controller providing strategic leadership to the Controller's Office and financial management for Mines. This position creates and analyzes financial reports and presentations; collaboratively develops financial and accounting policies to ensure compliance with regulations; ensures sound financial processes and internal controls; and oversees and manages multiple audits performed by the State of Colorado, Federal Government and others as necessary. This position will provide leadership in financial services for the institution and will represent the Controller's office in a wide range of activities, committees, and meetings. The Assistant Controller will collaborate and interact with many internal and external constituents including campus administration and academic departments, other higher education institutions, governmental agencies (e.g. OSC, OSA, OSPB, JBC, and ONR staff), and the public. The Assistant Controller will oversee the Financial Reporting Manager.

Responsibilities:

Financial Management, Compliance & Reporting

Lead and administer financial management, compliance and reporting. This requires non-routine responsibilities and strategic planning to manage the short and long-term objectives for the institution. It requires the ability to determine appropriate incorporation of regulations and generally accepted accounting principles applicable to the financial management of the institution. Examples include, but are not limited to: state-wide legislation; Governmental Accounting Standards; federal and state regulations; bond requirements; and internal controls. This position will collaborate with key stakeholders within the institution in order to:

* Collaborate with the Controller and Associate Controller to develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and strong internal controls.
* Review and analyze regulation applicable to policies and processes with in the Controllers Office to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulation.
* Review and update financial policies to meet regulatory requirements, collaboratively develop policy training for Controllers office staff, Human Resources, Office of Research Administration, and Budget.
* Develop, implement, test and monitor strong accounting controls to ensure accuracy of reporting and mitigate potential risk of the misappropriation of funds.
* Research, develop, document and implement new GASB Statements, federal guidelines and other regulatory agencies.

Provide leadership in the implementation of state and/or federal regulations and develop opportunities to increase flexibility within operations. Examples include but are not limited to:

* Observe, monitor, and provide feedback as appropriate for state fiscal legislation and the impact to Mines.
* Review potential accounting standards and provide input or responses that advocate for Mines.

Provide accurate and timely financial reports (both ad-hoc and routine) to executive officers, campus constituents, and external agencies. This requires and understanding of the financial, student, human resources, and other data sets, data locations and the best methods for extracting/and or uploading information. Examples include, but are not limited to:

* The annual financial statement package with accompanying notes;
* Monthly GAAP financial statements and variance analysis;
* Accounts receivable aging reports; and
* IPEDS financial and student information
* NCAA Reporting
* Auxiliary Financials

Audit

Manage external audits and act as the liaison to coordinate internal audits impacting the areas reporting to the Controller and Associate Controller. This requires non-routine responsibilities and strategic planning to manage the short and long-term objectives for the Manage all Financial and Internal Audits for the Controller's Office.

* Manage planning and coordination of multi office audits.
* Develop understanding of audit type, intent and outcomes
* Federal Cost Compliance Audits
* Federal Funding Audits
* Financial Statement Audits
* Internal Audits for policy & compliance
* PERA Audits
* Tax Audits

Serve as primary daily contact for Audit teams.Collaborate with all Finance and Administration teams on timely and accurate submission of documents.Develop and deliver Audit progress reports to ControllerDevelop Management response to any comments, findings and recommendations

* Manage implementation of Management response

Tax

Provide guidance and training to campus related to tax issues around Unrelated Business Income, Gifts Prizes and Awards, Gift In-Kind, Tax Exempt status, and Foreign Tax Forms

* Complete analysis and return for the Unrelated Business Income.
* Educate departments on Unrelated Business Income (UBI) and activities that fall under UBI
* Inform departments of their liability amount and process entry for charges.

Review Gift Prizes and Awards tax implications and provide training to campusInform Departments of Gift in-Kind requirements and complete required IRS forms

* Monitor IRS requirements if Gift is disposed of, complete necessary forms
* Understand foreign Gifts in Kind and implications

Provide guidance to campus on University IRS designation as neededComplete forms for all foreign tax matters

* Review all prepared tax filings for blended component units of the University
* Develop professional development plans with staff and ensure training is provided to enhance the skills and knowledge base for the team.
* Develop and maintain policies and procedures covering the functional areas within the Controller's Office.

Leadership

Provide collaborative leadership for financial and administrative systems and Financial Reporting Manager.

* Collaborate with the maintenance and enhancements for the Finance and Administration Systems Team ensuring proper controls are in place and information is accurate.
* Ensure system upgrades are tested, implemented and communicated to campus users.
* Oversee problem identification and resolution for system related issues impacting functional users and related data.

Provide strategic leadership to the Financial Reporting Manager

* Oversee projects related to financial reporting changes
* GASB pronouncements
* State and Federal reporting Guidance

Ensure validity of data with in the Chart of AccountsFoster professional development opportunities for continued growth in areas impacting data systems, reporting and complianceCollaborate with the maintenance and enhancements for the Finance and Administration Systems Team ensuring proper controls are in place and information is accurate.

* Develop Testing Plans for Controllers Office Staff
* Ensure system upgrades are tested, implemented and communicated to campus users.
* Oversee problem identification and resolution for system related issues impacting functional users and related data.

On occasion, this position may be assigned other duties needed to help drive the vision, fulfill the mission, and uphold Mines' and the department's organizational values.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Baccalaureate degree in accounting, finance, or related field with progressive professional level experience in financial accounting.
* Five or more years of experience dealing with federal or state finance and accounting related policies and procedures.
* Thorough knowledge, understanding of, and experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and accounting pronouncements relating to public research universities such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
* Advanced understanding of financial audits, cost audits and compliance audit. Experience with federal, state and private accounting/audit teams.
* Experience in organizational tax reporting and compliance
* Experience with supervision and leading teams to achieve organizational goals.
* Advanced proficiency with Windows-based software packages involving spreadsheets, Access databases, word processing, and presentation applications.
* Experience working with large complex data sets, with the ability to understand underlying data and accounting records.
* Experience with developing and delivering training, demonstrates excellent interpersonal and communications skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Progressive experience with higher education fund accounting, budget, and cost accounting.
* Active CPA.
* Experience with Banner, Oracle-based or similar financial system experience.
* Audit Experience in State and Federal financial and cost audits.

About Mines & Golden, CO:
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