Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

Posted:
October 24, 2025. Level: Management / Confidential (Executive
2).

Hours:

Full-time, 40 hours per week (flexible schedule). Closing Date:
Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

CT State Community College 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051 This position is not remote.

The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) and Controller is responsible for the development, management and oversight of financial accounting and reporting, internal controls, policies and procedures, cash management, financial systems support, and treasury functions for CT State Community College. The CAO and Controller plays a key role on the financial leadership team in assisting the CFO with long‑range strategic financial planning. This includes developing, implementing, and evaluating finance, accounting, audit and risk management objectives for the organization, and measuring the achievement of these objectives against established financial goals.

The CAO and Controller is a key liaison between the college, its campuses, the CSCU System Office, internal and external auditors, and regulatory agencies with respect to financial matters.

• Oversees all operations of accounting, financial reporting, grant accounting and reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, check writing and treasury functions, compliance, internal controls and other related functions.
• Ensures compliance with system‑wide policies and develops, implements and oversees standardized accounting policies and procedures. Provides guidance and operational support to staff regarding accounting policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Prepares and provides year‑end financial reports and analyses to the CSCU System Office for the audited CT State annual financial statement preparation. Works with outside auditors during the year‑end audit process to ensure compliance with GAAP and GASB standards.
• Develops and implements financial reporting and control systems and procedures to ensure effective and appropriate tracking, management, and reporting on revenues, expenses, treasury and cash flow matters, assets, liabilities, and property. Ensures fiscal and accounting staff throughout the college are applying strong internal controls; takes remedial action when necessary.
• Keeps current regarding legislative developments, GASB and GAAP rules, federal regulations pertaining to higher education finance, CSCU policies and procedures, and other applicable accounting changes. Provides guidance to staff on changes that impact CT State's fiscal and business operations.
• Assists in the preparation of high‑level executive reports and analyses as required for collective bargaining negotiations, BOR initiatives, and other ad‑hoc requests. Oversees reporting to outside agencies such as the OHE, DAS, OSC and others. Ensures that accurate and consistent data and accounting standards are applied to all reports.
• Oversees and maintains the chart of accounts in consultation with the CSCU System Office.
• Promptly responds to all external and internal audit requests; reviews and approves all audit responses prepared by other fiscal staff.
• Responsible for significant personnel decisions for the CT State Accounting Department including staffing, hiring, firing, evaluation, promotion and training of employees.
• Coordinates with the Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration/ Deputy CFO to ensure quarterly cash reporting is aligned with budget and Finance Committee requirements.
• Coordinates with CT State Compliance Officer, Vice President of Human Resources, Vice President of Finance and Administration/Deputy CFO, and other executives to lead CT State audit responses and lead reforms.
• Serves on the college Compliance Committee.

Master's degree in Accounting or a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license. Seven (7) years of experience in a senior level finance or accounting.

• Ability to participate in consultative processes with faculty and student groups to achieve consensus and build greater integration…