Associate Vice President Business and Finance and Controller

Position Title Associate Vice President for Business and Finance and Controller

Position Number

Position Number E30011

Department

Department Accounting Services

Location

Location Morehouse College - Atlanta, GA

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President for Business & Finance and Controller serve as the chief accounting officer for the College and provides strategic and operational leadership within the Division of Business & Finance. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Business & Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the AVP /Controller provides leadership and oversight of all accounting, financial reporting, internal control, grants accounting, accounts payable, and payroll functions.

The position combines technical accounting expertise with transformational leadership, customer-focused service, and organizational change management to ensure financial stewardship, operational excellence, and compliance in support of the College’s mission. The incumbent serves as a trusted advisor to the community and actively promotes a culture of service, accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Areas of direct responsibility include: general accounting, accounts payable, restricted funds accounting, payroll administration, financial reporting, internal controls and compliance, financial systems administration, audit management, travel, and tax compliance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant ( CPA ) strongly preferred; candidates without a CPA must demonstrate substantial equivalent Controller-level experience in higher education, nonprofit, or a similarly complex regulated environment.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience leading accounting, financial reporting, grants accounting, accounts payable, or related functions.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, team development, and process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to work after hours or weekends as needed

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Education/Experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit and higher education accounting principles and practices.
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( GAAP ), FASB standards, internal controls, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Single Audit requirements, federal grant compliance, regulatory submission controls, and U.S. Department of Education reporting expectations applicable to higher education institutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in fund accounting, endowment accounting, grants accounting, and audit coordination.
• Strong understanding of financial systems, ERP environments, and business process automation.
• Experience utilizing financial data and analytics to support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong project management and organizational change management capabilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service excellence and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to develop and motivate high-performing teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and reporting tools.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner Finance or similar higher education ERP systems strongly preferred.

Physical Demands

• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Occasiona…