Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

Position Summary:

The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) and Controller is responsible for the development, management and oversight of financial accounting and reporting, internal controls, policies and procedures, cash management, financial systems support, and treasury functions for CT State Community College. The CAO and Controller plays a key role on the financial leadership team in assisting the CFO with long-range strategic financial planning. This includes developing, implementing, and evaluating finance, accounting, audit and risk management objectives for the organization, and measuring the achievement of these objectives against established financial goals. The CAO and Controller is a key liaison between the college, its campuses, the CSCU System Office, internal and external auditors, and regulatory agencies with respect to financial matters.

Example of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the CT State Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer and Controller is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties:

• Oversees all operations of accounting, financial reporting, grant accounting and reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, check writing and treasury functions, compliance, internal controls and other related functions.
• Ensures compliance with system-wide policies and develops, implements and oversees standardized accounting policies and procedures. Provides guidance and operational support to staff regarding accounting policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Prepares and provides year-end financial reports and analyses to the CSCU System Office for the audited CT State annual financial statement preparation. Works with outside auditors during the year-end audit process to ensure compliance with GAAP and GASB standards.
• Develops and implements financial reporting and control systems and procedures to ensure effective and appropriate tracking, management, and reporting on revenues, expenses, treasury and cash flow matters, assets, liabilities, and property. Ensures fiscal and accounting staff throughout the college are applying strong internal controls; takes remedial action when necessary.
• Keeps current regarding legislative developments, GASB and GAAP rules, federal regulations pertaining to higher education finance, CSCU policies and procedures, and other applicable accounting changes. Provides guidance to staff on changes that impact CT State’s fiscal and business operations.
• Assists in the preparation of high-level executive reports and analyses as required for collective bargaining negotiations, BOR initiatives, and other ad hoc requests. Oversees reporting to outside agencies such as the OHE, DAS, OSC and others. Ensures that accurate and consistent data and accounting standards are applied to all reports.
• Oversees and maintains the chart of accounts in consultation with the CSCU System Office.
• Promptly responds to all external and internal audit requests; reviews and approves all audit responses prepared by other fiscal staff.
• Responsible for significant personnel decisions for the CT State Accounting Department including staffing, hiring, firing, evaluation, promotion and training of employees.
• Coordinates with the Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration/ Deputy CFO to ensure quarterly cash reporting is aligned with budget and Finance Committee requirements.
• Coordinates with CT State Compliance Officer, Vice President of Human Resources, Vice President of Finance and Administration/Deputy CFO, and other executives to lead CT State audit responses and lead reforms.
• Serves on the college Compliance Committee.

This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full specifications stated in the job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Accounting or a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license. Seven (7) years of experience in a senior level finance or accounting.

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:

• Ability to participate in consultative processes with faculty and student groups to achieve consensus and build greater integration amongst academic and non-academic units.
• Deep experience in change management within large and complex organizations.
• Ability to serve as a bridge between academic affairs, student affairs, enrollment management and administrative affairs, and facilitate positive and productive conversations amongst a range of internal and external constituencies.
• A student-centered orientation, with demonstrated experience building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainable and fiscally responsible management practices.
• Strong strategic planning and execution skills.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and GASB.
• Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and projections.
• Ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects.
• Ability to facilitate group meetings.
• Experience with management of enterprise financial systems.

Candidates must possess proven ability to effectively work with culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and students. They are expected to have excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Higher Education, Governmental, or Non-Profit background.
• Experience with external and internal audits conducted under State, Federal, and national frameworks.
• Banner experience.
• Project management experience.
• Higher education leadership experience.

Starting Salary:

Salary range; $165,083-$206,353 approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. The salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications such as education and job-related experience, and internal equity.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable. For more information, please visit our website at: .