Controller
Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community, inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. We seek employees who will contribute to the advancement of our mission by helping students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who care for the Earth, welcome people of diverse faiths and cultures, and promote the common good.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Job Title: Controller
Department: Business and Finance
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Status: Full-Time, Benefit Eligible
Location: Lisle Campus
Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will perform various accounting functions and directly supervise the General Accounting Unit, which include Student Accounts, General Accounting, Accounts Payable and Purchasing. The incumbent will be responsible for preparing financial reports and projections and taking the lead role in the closing process and annual audit. The incumbent will also review account reconciliations and perform other reconciliations of varying degrees of complexity
Essential Job Responsibilities:
Supervise and direct the Accounts Receivable, General Accounting, Accounts Payable and Purchasing functions including overseeing applicable PeopleSoft modules, monitoring and evaluating work performances, assisting with more complex or unusual problems, delegating work task responsibilities, providing training and direction and interviewing and suggesting applicants for departmental hire.
Assist Chief Financial Officer with quarterly and annual financial reports for internal users (i.e. management and Board of Trustees) and external users (i.e. financial institution, auditors, private and federal/state grants). The incumbent will examine financial transactions for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with Generally Acceptable Accounting Principles (GAAP) and University policies and procedures.
Take the lead role in supervising the quarterly and fiscal year-end closing processes. Develop and implement financial analytical methodologies to identify data errors quickly to ensure accurate, consistent and reliable accounting data. The incumbent will review monthly reconciliations and general ledger and/or sub-ledger accounts as well as perform other analyses, journal entries and reconciliations of varying degrees of complexity
Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer play a lead role in the fiscal yearend financial statement audit with the University's external auditors and serve as the University liaison between the auditors and University departments.
Payroll - Prepare and post the journals connected with accruals for payroll obligations related to taxes, benefits, and related withholdings. Overseerun the Peoplesoft Payroll interfaceJournal Generator on the GL side. Review transactions and update the budget tracking spreadsheet. Be responsible for the faculty payroll, taxes, and benefit accruals; and preparing the Monk payroll entry.
Participate in the preparation of the University's financial, cash projections, and other financial reporting.
Other Functions:
Study and evaluate the accounting operations with an emphasis on improved efficiency and participate in system design with the technology staff.
Research and evaluate pertinent professional and related legal literature to establish and/or recommend changes to accounting procedures and operations.
Interpret various accounting data, analyze reports and recommend and/or initiate actions to be taken.
Responsible for monitoring tax compliance, ensuring that the University's year-end Form 990, 990T and sales tax returns (ST-1) are filed with the appropriate authorities by their due dates.
Perform related and other assigned duties as required.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Bachelors degree in Accounting Required, Master's Degree Preferred
Experience: 5-7 years of general accounting experience in a not-for profit or higher education environment, including areas of accounts receivable and accounting supervision.
Specific Skills: Skills in performing detailed and complex numerical computations and reports.
Specific Knowledge, Licenses, and Certifications: Knowledge of accounting principles (GAAP and FASB standards), practices and procedures; Knowledge and skill in supervisory practices and principles, Knowledge of computerized accounting systems and applications, including PeopleSoft and general software applications such as Microsoft Excel and Word.
Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Use of computer screen, phone and customer service. May require bending, or sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
The following of campus specific guidelines for pandemic protocols are required.
Travel (If applicable): N/A
Supervisory Responsibility (if applicable): No
Working Conditions: Non-industrial professional office enviroment. Busy office environment, filing, bending, sitting, phones, computer work.
Training: As a University employee you are required to complete all University-specific and/or OSHA related training to fulfill your job duties. Specific training will be conducted online or in person. Employees must complete all trainings required by Benedictine University.
Benedictine University does not discriminate in its admissions or educational policies, programs or activities; scholarship and loan programs; athletic and other University administered programs or employment practices on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The laws applicable to Benedictine University include constitutional and statutory protections of the University's rights as a religiously sponsored institution. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all employment and personnel practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training and compensation.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. The following of campus specific guidelines for pandemic protocols are required.
Benedictine University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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