Controller, Accounting, Financial Compliance

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Department:

Finance & Administration

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Reports To:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Employment:

Full-Time, University Employee

Direct Reports:

Staff Accountants (2);
Accounts Payable Team

Location:

Madison, New Jersey (Hybrid)

Drew University is building a dedicated, in-house accounting function reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer and is seeking a Controller to lead it. This is a newly created leadership role: the Controller will oversee the University’s accounting team, including two Staff Accountants and the Accounts Payable function, while assuming responsibility of the general ledger, financial reporting, and day-to-day accounting operations that support the University’s mission.

This is a hands‑on, finance‑focused leadership role for someone who enjoys developing staff, strengthening accounting operations, and implementing effective financial processes within a higher education environment.

• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for the University's accounting team, including two Staff Accountants and the Accounts Payable function, while strengthening workflows, internal controls, and operational processes.
• Own the general ledger: month‑end and year‑end close, account reconciliations, journal entry review and approval, and maintenance of the chart of accounts and org hierarchy within Banner Finance.
• Prepare and review accurate, timely financial statements and management reporting for the CFO, University leadership, and the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure accounting operations comply with GAAP, nonprofit fund accounting standards (ASC 958), and higher education‑specific reporting requirements, including restricted and endowment fund accounting.
• Serve as a key point of contact for the annual external audit and Form 990 preparation, coordinating with auditors and ensuring supporting documentation is complete and accurate.
• Oversee the Accounts Payable process, including vendor payments, disbursement controls, and cash management coordination.
• Partner with the CFO on internal controls, accounting policy, and process improvement as the accounting function transitions to an in‑house, University‑employed team.
• Support budget development and variance analysis in coordination with the University's Budget Development process within Banner.
• Leverage Banner Finance (and Argos reporting, where available) to produce ad‑hoc analysis and recurring reports for University stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory or team‑leadership experience.
• Higher education accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with Banner Finance strongly preferred; familiarity with Argos reporting is a plus.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit and fund accounting principles (ASC 958), restricted fund management, and Form 990 requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead a team, and to establish or improve accounting processes and controls.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with University leadership and external auditors.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment with the expectation of being on campus for approximately 2-3 days a month

The Controller will play a foundational role in strengthening Drew University's in‑house accounting function — providing leadership to the accounting team, enhancing financial processes, and establishing a strong foundation for financial operations that support the University for years to come. This…