Controller

Job Description:

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Administrative Services (VP-AS), The Controller performs but is not limited to the following functions for the College: developing strategic (long term and short term) planning for Financial Services, managing all audit matters, managing the daily activities of the Financial Services office assisting the VP-AS with strategic (long and short term) fiscal operations planning for the college.

The Controller serves on college committees and partners strongly with other areas of the College to ensure financial operations operate effectively. The Controller will assist the VP-AS with various special projects including but not limited to: business process review; data analysis and strategic planning; state and federal compliance; development and revision of institutional policies and procedures, and new program development or implementation. They will clearly communicate, orally and in writing, financial policies, procedures, and concepts to accounting and non-accounting personnel.

Leadership & Strategic/Long Term Planning:

• Develop strategic plan for Financial Services.
• The Controller serves on college wide committees and partners strongly with other areas of the college to ensure financial operations of the College operate effectively.
• The Controller will assist the Vice President, Administrative Services (AP-AS) with various special projects including but not limited to: business process review; data analysis and strategic planning; state and federal compliance; development and revision of institutional policies and procedures, and new program development or implementation
• Establish departmental objectives, which support the college's mission and strategic goals.
• Provide guidance and direction to the Financial Services team and assist with the administrative services team, and serve as a resource to help the department and division accomplish department and college goals.
• Personally participate in professional development opportunities to enhance technical and non-technical skills as the college's chief accountant, and fiscal advisor to Vice President of Administrative Services
• Direct and supervise routine reviews of existing processes, database element values and definitions, and the timely interface of all financial data in Work Day with other administrative systems, with an eye to faster, more accurate, and fewer manual steps/activities.
• Maintain and promote high ethical standards, a strong work ethic, and adhere to all college standards for professional conduct.
• Interact with representatives from private businesses, colleges, universities, and state, local and federal agencies.
• Provide professional exchange of information with whom; foster connection to community; collaborate effectively with internal/external colleagues; work to build and maintain internal network; collaboratively support mutual beneficial processes.

Operations:

• Manage all finance audit matters.
• Manage the daily activities of the Financial Services office, including: general accounting and reporting; accounts payable; payroll; restricted grants and contracts; Aims Foundation accounting; cashier; investments; accounts receivable, and capital assets accounting.
• Create master schedule of all activities related to annual audit including: due dates; data requirements; reconciliation spreadsheets; and all closing and adjusting entries for year-end close.
• Direct employees to provide required and requested information to external auditors.
• Prepare preliminary financial statements, oversee preparation of audit work papers, supplementary information, notes, and prepare college's trial balance.
• Systematic Improvements – Be proactive in establishing procedures and internal controls, and assign workload to staff to ensure business activities are accurately, timely recorded, and reported.
• Research and resolve problems that have escalated.
• Establish professional development plans to enhance staff skill sets, whether technical or non-technical, (e.g. leadership, customer service, etc.).
• Supervises support staff overseeing and directing daily operations, providing guidance, and performance management, and ensuring efficient team productivity
• Actively provide staff training and oversee cross-training, and evaluation of finance employees who report to those with supervisory responsibilities in Financial Services.
• Research enhancement of services provided Work Day software; identify effectiveness/ efficiency objectives and metrics
• Collect sufficient, accurate and appropriate data for analysis and decision-making purposes. Base plans on thorough analysis of relevant facts; costs and benefits are justified; set clear, precise, measurable goals.
• Project and plan for appropriate staffing needs; make data supported decisions.
• Recommend office operating budget; review and approve all accounting journal entries; prepare all necessary adjusting and closing entries; monitor, prepare or approve all cash and investment transfers, monitor, prepare or approve all capital assets or the college, including asset control and depreciation.
• Clearly communicate, orally and in writing, financial policies, procedures, and concepts to accounting and non-accounting personnel
• Regularly review of all existing processes to determine what changes are reasonable and required due to external changes, even if internal processes and procedures are deemed adequate.

Other Duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or other related field with strong emphasis in accounting; plus, five (5) years in fund accounting, governmental accounting, budget or finance or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience. Of the required five (5) years of work experience, three (3) years must be supervisory experience.
• Good interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Must possess excellent organization skills.
• Ability to work quickly to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems, devise innovative solutions, manage projects, lead teams through collaboration and implement efficiencies where needed.
• Demonstrated experience with automated and integrated accounting and administrative software systems such as Work Day, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (must be demonstrated in applicant materials):

• Use of business intelligence and data analytics to drive performance, efficiency, agility and decision-making.
• Ability to orchestrate distributed leadership and leverage talent within and outside of the College to achieve mission and goals.
• Experience working with a variety of boards, agencies, politics, and personalities.
• Ability to communicate expectations and goals clearly and offer feedback in a timely manner that promotes growth and maintains dignity.
• Experience leading, supervising and managing high performing, dynamic teams.
• Facilitate organizational development and change with effective collaboration of participants.
• Continuously monitor changes in regulations, policies and technology related to the area of management.
• Staying current in community college best practices and strategies for transformation.
• Excellent professional and respectful verbal, non-verbal and written/email communications.
• Successful experience working in diverse and multicultural communities; supporting student equity and inclusion.
• Commitment to/experience with creating, designing, supporting innovation, transformation and emerging/disruptive technologies.
• Successful working as part of a team in addition to being individually motivated.

Character (must be demonstrated in applicant materials):

• Real world thinker with a broad, innovative perspective.
• Thoughtful risk-taker/problem solver.
• Collaborative, creative problem-solver.
• Seeks out feedback and practices self-reflection that promotes continual growth.
• Demonstrates passion for student success and the community college mission.
• Embraces, practices, and encourages principles of inclusive leadership that encourages a sense of belonging, and equity, and empowerment for all employees and students.
• Practices authenticity while maintaining professional decorum and respect for others.
• Commitment to creating and practicing a culture of transparency, integrity, collaboration, communication, and ethical behavior.
• Committed to employing transparent practices of leadership resulting in a positive cultural tone, accountability, and trust throughout all levels of the college.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Accounting or other related field with strong emphasis in accounting or an MBA
• Two (2) years of directly related experience above minimum qualification experience.
• Licensed as a CPA.
• Colorado higher education experience.

All Applicants:

• Compare your previous work experience to the job duties listed on the job positing under job description. Enter the job duties you have performed under the "Work Experience" section on your job application. We evaluate your experience based on this information.
• Please make sure you state whether work experience (aka work history) is part-time or full-time employment by listing the average number of hours worked per week. This information is used to determine your new annual salary.
• Be sure to upload all the required documents listed at the above in "Additional Job Description" section. This can be uploaded as part of your application materials in the "My Experience" section. If there are missing documents, your incomplete application will not be considered. Per the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, you may redact information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

For information on our hiring practices, please visit our resource page: https://www.aims.edu/departments/human-resources/hiring-process.

Aims Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, or veteran's status. All application materials must be submitted by the closing date posted and become the property of Aims Community College. The screening committee will select finalists for interviews. The goal of Aims Community College is to enhance the diversity present in the district we serve. To comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, if hired, you will be required to provide documents within three (3 ) business days of hire date to show your identity and your authorization to work. This law applies to all persons hired.

Screening/Selection:

Please provide a thorough and complete application.

Initial screening will be conducted by a committee based on completed application materials.

Employees in these positions may be asked to participate in temporary assignments lasting less than nine (9) months (such as curriculum development, short term projects, meetings and substitute duties) which could amount to additional temporary pay.

All positions at Aims Community College require a criminal background check and may require industry specific screenings such as an MVR, physical and/or drug screen. Keep in mind, a conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being employed. The nature of a conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.