LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

Position Description & Qualifications

REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration

LOCATION: Financial Services – Administrative Building

Primary Objective: The University Controller serves as the chief accounting officer for the University and is responsible for the leadership and management oversight of accounting, tax, financial reporting and financial internal control operations of the University. The University Controller reports to the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration. Direct reports include four staff members including senior accountant, restricted funds accountant, student accounts specialist, and accounts payable specialist

Job Responsibilities:

1. Provides strong leadership and management of the accounting team, which includes general and restricted funds accounting, student accounts, and accounts payable/cashier roles.

2. Develops and oversees the University’s financial accounting system to account for the receipt and expenditure of all funds and to report operating results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This includes review of all daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual journal entries and all weekly check and ACH disbursements.

3. Collaboratively develops, updates, and administers accounting policies and procedures to efficiently safeguard the University’s assets while supporting the mission of the University.

4. Coordinates the annual independent audit in accordance with GAAP which includes preparing the financial statements and footnotes, reviewing the preparation of supporting schedules and analyses, and provides auditors with all requested documentation, as required. Ensures the annual receipt of an unqualified opinion on the financial statements for presentation to the University’s Board of Trustees.

5. Collaboratively coordinates the annual Compliance Audit with Financial Aid.

6. Oversees the maintenance of the Perkins program loan portfolio and is responsible for the oversight of the federal drawdowns for financial aid and federal grants, associated financial reporting, and related federal compliance guidelines.

7. Coordinate, prepare and/or oversee tax compliance areas of the University including the following:

• Prepare annual Form 990, 990T and related schedules
• Review quarterly payroll filing Form 941
• Oversee Annual Form 1099Misc and 1099R
• Oversee 1098T
• Prepare Annual FISAP-Perkins program section
• Oversee Exempt property reporting
• Oversee maintenance of our Raffle license
• Oversee Unclaimed property annual filing
• Oversee Sales tax compliance
• Oversee Room tax compliance

8. Oversee daily and longer-range management of cash on deposit and other assets.

9. Serve on various regular and ad hoc committees, including two Trustee committees: Finance and Audit.

10. Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to provide requested financial information and to provide advice on procedural maters.

11. Prepare and submit survey data to multiple government and regulatory agencies and information-sharing consortia.

12. Prepare quarterly bond compliance items.

13. Serve as signatory on various University contracts.

14. Other projects and duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting Business Administration, Management, or related field. CPA or CMA certification is highly desired.
• Knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals, organization, and financial structure of a private university or non-profit.
• Previous experience that would complement the above listed scope and activities of the position. • Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision making skills.
• Strong attention to detail and technical/computer skills to complement the workload. Use of the Microsoft Suite, endowment software, student information system, and various additional tools are necessary to execute the duties of the position.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, managerial skills, and an ability to work with a variety of constituencies.
• Strong business partner/client service skills. Ability to make decisions in unique and ambiguous situations.
• Ability to hire, supervise, motivate, and train direct reports

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Higher Education
• Public Accounting Experience
• Ten years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Employment Requirements:

Must have successful completion of criminal record check, driving record check (where applicable) and reference checks.