St. Lawrence University Seeks Assistant Controller

St. Lawrence University is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Controller.

Position Summary: The Assistant Controller will be responsible for overseeing various financial functions in the Business Office, including accounts payable, treasury management, and general accounting. Their primary objective is to ensure that the university’s financial resources are expended following established guidelines and that financial activities are accurately and promptly recorded. This role reports directly to the Controller.

Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Supervision: Directly supervise the following roles:
   • Two Staff Accountants responsible for daily, monthly, and yearly accounting tasks to support accurate financial reporting.
   • Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for reviewing and entering invoices, and managing payment schedules, and payment methods.
   • Principal Clerk (Accounting) responsible for various accounting transactions, cash deposit management, online banking monitoring, data entry, sales tax reporting, and investment processing.
2. Financial Oversight: Oversee the accounting and reporting for auxiliary operations, foreign programs, university debt, and deferred giving. Administer government and private grant financial activity and compliance.
3. Collaboration: Work with the Purchasing Department to manage the university’s purchasing/travel card program and SupplierPay platform for vendor payments.
4. Tax Reporting: Manage the tax reporting requirements for international students, employees, and vendors.
5. Month-End Closing: Administer the month-end financial close process, ensuring accurate and timely recording of feeds and entries.
6. Ad Hoc Reporting: Assist in producing ad hoc reports and completing financial surveys.
7. Policy Communication: Communicate university accounting policies and procedures to all campus departments, addressing transactional issues, the Colleague accounting system, and special payment matters.
8. System Expertise: Serve as the departmental expert for Colleague Finance and related reporting tools (e.g., CROA, Synoptix), assisting other accounting users in system utilization.
9. Budget Administration: Administer budget view access and approvals for requisitions and payment requests in the Colleague accounting system.
10. Year-End Reporting: Administer calendar year-end reporting obligations, such as 1099 and 1098 tax statements.
11. Treasury Management: Manage the treasury function, including cash flow, balance monitoring, and relationships with banking partners. Collaborate with foreign program directors regarding cash needs.
12. Audit Support: Assist in fiscal year-end closing and preparation of annual financial statements and related audits. This includes analyzing payments and accounts, preparing journal entries, adjusting/removing encumbrances, preparing work papers and schedules, and assisting auditors.
13. Other Tasks: Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Four or more years of progressively responsible accounting and managerial experience with knowledge of accounting principles.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information discreetly.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse faculty, staff, and students.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA certification.
• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, non-profit, or a similar business setting.
• Experience in accounts payable, grant administration, or investment accounting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong decision-making abilities within assigned authority.
• Exceptional time management skills to consistently meet deadlines.
• Experience with Colleagues or a similar enterprise accounting system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft software, particularly Excel.

Interested candidates should apply online through http://employment.stlawu.edu by uploading all required materials as specified in the “special instructions to the applicant” section. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For inquiries about the position, please contact Sebastian Notaro, Controller, at [email protected].

All offers of employment are subject to successful background checks, including criminal records.

St. Lawrence University, located at 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY, is a coeducational, private, independent liberal arts institution serving approximately 2,400 students from over 40 states and 40 nations. The university’s educational approach fosters critical and creative thinking, guiding students to find purpose in their lives and careers, and promoting the pursuit of knowledge for the benefit of individuals, humanity, and the planet.

St. Lawrence University is committed to diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, ensuring an intellectually and socially enriching atmosphere for the entire campus community. Applications from underrepresented groups and individuals with experience in multicultural environments are encouraged. St. Lawrence University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.