Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Location:

Evanston, Illinois

Department: Office of Financial Operations

Salary/Grade: EXS/16

Target hiring range for this position will be between $200,000 to $240,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

A well-qualified candidate within this department or unit has been identified and will be considered for the position alongside other qualified candidates. The University reserves its right to give priority consideration to internal qualified candidates.

The Office of the Controller is responsible for the accounting and financial reporting of Northwestern University, providing a wide range of financial services on behalf of and for the University community. Financial accounting and reporting duties at the University are complex and significant. Northwestern operates with annual expenses exceeding $3.6 billion, total investments in excess of $15.5 billion (representing one of the largest endowments in the country), more than $1.0 billion in research awards, and total long‑term debt outstanding of $3.0 billion.

The University has more than 23,000 students enrolled in 12 colleges and schools on three campuses. Its fiscal year ends August 31.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Finance, the Controller's duties include responsibility for the annual consolidated financial report and external audit, development and implementation of financial policies and procedures to maintain a strong internal control environment, and serving as a financial advisor to Senior Leadership. The Controller supervises the following units, which altogether employ 15 professionals and staff:

• Accounting Services:
  Leads the central accounting function and transaction management across all expense and revenue categories within the University's People Soft financial system. Leads the close cycle, cash, capital, and debt accounting, and managing the G/L reporting structure. Responsible for gifts, endowment and investment accounting. Leads technical accounting research and implementation and prepares the Annual Financial Report and related Footnote disclosures under US GAAP.
  
  Supports the Uniform Guidance audit, including fixed asset inventory counts.
• Financial Operations IT:
  Provisions access for the University's administrative systems and provides other support functions including bank access administration, chart of accounts processing, etc.
• Financial Reporting:
  Leads financial analysis, working closely with the accountants across systems. Develops and contributes to reporting for Senior Leadership and the Board of Trustees, serving as a liaison to campus partners requiring understanding of GAAP reporting or related information, prepares various external surveys, and manages the internal/external communication and timelines for each.

The Controller serves as the principal deputy to the AVP, representing the AVP as necessary, and contributes to cross‑functional initiatives to enhance the delivery of financial services across the University. The Controller shall also anticipate changes in regulations and standards impacting higher education and be well‑versed in current accounting rules and sensitive to trends. She or he will engage as an active participant in networks of Controller colleagues at other universities.

Manages more than one university accounting‑related area or program

• Directs the development of & manages a school's/dept's budget & financial operations including the development & implementation of strategies for: budgeting; forecasting, modeling & projecting; identifying & explaining variances; financial reporting; internal controls; expense…