Hybrid Associate Controller chez The College of New Jersey

To enrich education through diversity, The College of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Job Title:  Associate Controller
Union Description: NU/Associate Controller
Job Category: Exempt, 35 Workweek
Salary Range: $150,000.00 - $159,000.00
For non-unit positions, salary commensurate with experience and is accompanied by a competitive benefits package.

Position Summary:

The Office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the College’s strategic financial planning, including investments and debt management, auditing, accounting, budgeting, capital, procurement services, grant accounting, and payroll. We strive to execute our fiduciary responsibilities effectively by engaging in continuous process evaluation and improvement and by providing a wide array of value-added and customer centered support services for students, faculty, staff, and external constituents. 

The Associate Controller is a key member of the accounting team. This position performs complex accounting functions; analyzes financial data/reports for accuracy and compliance with TCNJ Standards. The primary function of this position is the responsibility for managing a high-performance accounting team, financial reporting, tax compliance, audit, debt service, fixed assets, cash management, endowment/gift accounting activities, and project accounting in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, GASB, IRS, TCNJ, and NJ State policies, procedures and regulations. This role supervises accounting staff and reports directly to the Controller and may also serve in other key roles, as determined by the Controller.

Main Responsibilities:

• Supervises and coordinates the fiscal year-end close of the college's accounting system. 
• Builds and maintains the month-end close process. 
• Assists the Controller with the annual audit and maintains a central repository of working papers documenting the various reviews, corrective actions, and annual certifications in support of the audit. 
• Prepares annual financial statements and other financial reports as needed. 
• Designs, improves, and advises on the university's general ledger component of the college's financial software, balancing the need to meet internal and external reporting demands. 
• Applies knowledge of accounting principles, auditing standards, and/or regulatory compliance to evaluate and assess risks within key fiscal processes. 
• Assist with review of the accounting internal controls and the development of compensating/alternate controls to strengthen identified weaknesses. Lead role for making necessary changes, both regulatory and in-house 
• Assists in the coordination and review of college policies and procedures and special projects as needed. 
• Supervises the department’s accounting staff.
• Invests in the team's growth and development, providing guidance and opportunities for learning. 
• Build strong relationships with the team members, fostering trust and open communication. 
• Support the college and division’s strategic goals.
• Leads campus-wide training for accounting subjects.
• Prepare annual survey requests, including the Annual IPEDS survey.
• Participates in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other system upgrades and conversions. 
• Serve as back-up to the Controller.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred) in a related accounting field with 7 to 10 years of progressive full-time experience in accounting and/or financial auditing within a university, non-profit or government environment. 
• CPA certification required. (Willing to consider those with certification in process).
• Thorough knowledge of fund accounting principles, processes, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Familiar with policies, processes, and procedures regarding financial transactions, including GL analysis and month-end and year-end closing processes. 
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and supervising staff.
• Experience with an integrated accounting software, preferably Oracle Cloud Financials.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Advanced Excel experience and other Google and Microsoft Office Suite Applications.
• Experience in a complex financial setting with knowledge of business and audit practices , preferably in higher education, non-profit, or government entity.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks/requests/assignments and manage multiple priorities. 
• Ability to be a team player who works well collectively and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve common goals. 

• Excellent customer service skills.

   

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a technology-driven enterprise preferred.

Employer Qualifications:

• Final offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and reference checks.
• Residency Requirement: In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c.70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees in certain positions (faculty exempt) are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment. Applicants must meet the requirements listed.

About TCNJ

TCNJ is a highly selective institution that has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence. Founded in 1855, TCNJ has become an exemplar of the best in public higher education and is consistently acknowledged as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the nation. TCNJ currently is ranked as one of the 75 "Most Competitive" schools in the nation by Barron's Profiles of American Colleges and is rated the No. 1 public institution in the northern region of the country by U.S. News & World Report. TCNJ was named the #10 value in public higher education by the Princeton review in 2009 and, in 2006, was awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter - an honor shared by less than 10 percent of colleges and universities nationally. A strong liberal arts core forms the foundation for programs offered through TCNJ's seven schools - Arts & Communication; Business; Education; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science; and Engineering. TCNJ faculty members are teacher-scholars who share a commitment to liberal learning. TCNJ is located within an hour, by train, of New York City and Philadelphia. The College's campus is set on 289 tree-lined acres in suburban Ewing Township and is known for its natural beauty and has 39 major buildings.

Employee Benefits:

As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public university career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program 
• Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee affinity groups
• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
• Access to extensive learning opportunities 

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates should apply online and submit a letter of interest, resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be considered until a viable candidate is selected.  

SAME Applicants

If you are applying under the New Jersey "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references by the closing date listed above to: [email protected].  For more information on the SAME program visit their website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: [email protected], or call CSC at: 833-691-0404.