Controller

Welcome to Career Opportunities at Lindenwood University.PLEASE READ: For all applications, please include your resume and cover letter. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by simply clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. When you arrive at the “Experience” page, you may upload all desired documents using the upload box labeled “Resume/CV.” This is the appropriate box to upload all documents.
Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee:
Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.
Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.
JOB TITLE SUMMARY
Job Title: Controller
Division: Fiscal Affairs
Evaluation Group: Staff Administrator
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Senior Vice President, Fiscal Affairs and Administrative Services/ Chief Financial Officer
Positions Supervised: Assistant Controller; Manager, Accounts Payable
Job Summary
The Controller leads the University’s accounting operations, including financial reporting, the monthly and year-end close, treasury and cash management, and compliance verification, and oversees all facets of accounts payable. This role also oversees financial management of grants, endowments, and gifts; tracks capital assets; creates and maintains a cash forecast; and manages the University’s investment accounts.
Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators
The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Job Responsibility and Execution
Directs daily activities of Accounting and Accounts Payable departments
Determines accounting policies and practices to ensure financial statements are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
Ensures accuracy in recording financial transactions; provides excellent customer service; and practices good financial stewardship of University assets
Facilitates the collection and reporting of financial data for financial reports, tax returns, regulatory reports, audits, presentations, and other evaluations; undertakes discussion and closure of all related issues
Leads the LES system-wide year-end financial audit and the annual IRS Form 990
Performs treasury activities related to cash flow, borrowings, debt, and capital management
Manages all University investment accounts
Leads the annual NCAA agreed-upon procedures engagement for intercollegiate athletics
Prepares and monitors the Department of Education financial responsibility composite score
Manages banking and merchant services relationships, including day-to-day bank administration and coordination of PCI compliance
Coordinates the annual endowment spending calculation and reporting on donor-restricted funds
Partners with University Advancement to integrate financial systems with Raiser’s Edge, reconcile gift and pledge activity, and ensure consistent gift reporting between Advancement and the general ledger
Completes all annual surveys, such as IPEDS and HLC
Creates and maintains a cash forecast
Assists in the creation of PowerPoint slides for the Board of Trustees and management that contain financial information on a monthly and quarterly basis
Assists in developing and collecting accurate data to help guide University business decisions
Determines appropriate financial information technology (IT) systems and capabilities necessary for the University to fulfill its financial operations/requirements
Communicates accounting and business process changes to faculty and staff and enforces applicable University financial and accounting policies
Distributes University/department financial results relative to budget and prior years; interprets findings for faculty and staff
Leadership and Strategic Thinking
Researches technical accounting issues and implements new accounting standards
Maintains responsibility for the ongoing development and integration of accounting practices and procedures into the University’s Workday enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
Serves as the functional lead of Workday Financials for Accounting; leads continuous improvement, configuration changes, new module implementations, and issue resolution in partnership with IT and the Financial Systems Manager
Establishes a regular review cycle for fiscal policies and procedures; modernizes, documents, and communicates updates to ensure alignment with current standards and University practice
Ensures adequate policies, procedures, and internal controls are in place to provide fiscal integrity for financial and regulatory reporting matters
Establishes long- and short-term strategic goals based on assessment data and ensures standards for the department and its field are met or exceeded
Adapts and modifies leadership based on new information and/or data; works to set and unite people on the new direction
Utilizes effective strategies to build collaboration for maximum execution
Aligns division/department purpose and actions with relevant University initiatives and higher education trends
Employee Management and Development
Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values
Recruits, interviews, recommends, welcomes, observes, and monitors performance of department staff
Sets clear performance expectations and holds employees accountable
Ensures close procedures are documented and accounting staff are cross-trained to reduce key-person risk
Conducts annual employee evaluations based on evidence, observation, and feedback
Job may require other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
Experience with not-for-profit accounting, regulations, grant, restricted gift accounting, and compliance requirements
Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience
Master’s degree preferredCPA certification preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this job competently.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
Ability to execute multiple tasks according to specifications
Strong professional integrity
Ability to use good judgment and think critically
Strong leadership and collaborative skills
Ability to take initiative and be creative
Mastery of Workday enterprise accounting and finance software
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions. Please click here to view Lindenwood University’s flexible work designation descriptions.
General office setting
Non-Standard Flex
Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Ability to work effectively at a computer for extended time daily
Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time
Ability to lift/carry items commonly found in an office setting including, but not limited to, documents, laptops, keyboards, etc.
Ability to us