Controller
$130,000–$140,000 year
Hybrid · Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Job Summary
Controller role overseeing the organization’s accounting and financial operations with primary reporting to the Shared Services CFO; leads GAAP-compliant financial reporting, budgeting, audit coordination, grants management, and internal controls; combines financial leadership with HR oversight (compliance and HRIS) within a nonprofit/higher-education context; active ABIDE commitments integration and collaboration with SLT; manages staff (3 positions) and engages with external auditors, banks, and vendors; requires CPA, bachelor’s in accounting/finance, 7+ years in accounting with leadership experience, and strong ERP/Excel skills.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field
- CPA - active or inactive
- Minimum 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a controller, associate controller, or similar senior financial management position
- Demonstrated ability to manage accounting functions in compliance with federal and state regulations and GAAP
- Experience supervising and leading staff, including coaching, mentoring, and fostering a cooperative work environment
- Higher education or nonprofit experience, including grants management, financial aid, and endowment accounting, is strongly preferred
- Deep knowledge of GAAP, government accounting standards, and financial control frameworks, particularly as applied to nonprofit entities and higher education institutions
- Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across all levels and departments of an organization
- Proven problem-solving and analytical skills, including advanced expertise with Microsoft Excel and financial modeling tools
- Knowledge of ERP systems required; experience with NetSuite, Jenzabar, or similar systems preferred
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences
- High level of personal integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards
- Effective time management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities and constituencies
- Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and HR compliance requirements
- Familiarity with HRIS systems and payroll processing
- Understanding of benefits administration and total compensation principles
- Preferred: Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, HR, or related field) and/or CPA or SPHR/SHRM-SCP certification
- Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations
- Public accounting experience preferred
- Experience with AI-enabled financial tools, automation, and predictive analytics
- Grant management and restricted fund accounting experience
- Experience in complex nonprofit or higher education environments
Desired Qualifications
- CPA - active or inactive
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field
- Minimum 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a controller, associate controller, or similar senior financial management position
- Higher education or nonprofit experience, including grants management, financial aid, and endowment accounting (strongly preferred)
- Knowledge of GAAP, government accounting standards, and financial control frameworks for nonprofit/higher education
- Experience supervising staff and building cross-departmental relationships
- Proficiency with ERP systems (NetSuite, Jenzabar, or similar)
- Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills
- Strong communication skills, integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards
- HR compliance knowledge (FLSA, EEOC, Title VII, Title IX) and HRIS/payroll familiarity
- Preferred: Master’s degree and/or CPA or SPHR/SHRM-SCP certification
- Experience in complex nonprofit or higher education environments
- Grant management and restricted fund accounting experience
- Experience with AI-enabled financial tools, automation, and predictive analytics
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