Controller, Finance & Banking, Accounting Manager

Position Title:

Controller

Department:
Accounting / Finance

Reports To:

Associate Vice President for Financial Operations

FLSA Status:
Exempt

The Controller provides leadership and hands‑on management of the University’s accounting operations and financial reporting. This role ensures timely, accurate, and GAAP‑compliant financial statements for a not‑for‑profit higher education institution, maintains strong internal controls, oversees key accounting functions (including Accounts Payable), and partners across campus to strengthen financial processes, reporting, and system effectiveness.

• Lead the month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes; ensure accurate reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules.
• Prepare and distribute a monthly financial reporting package (e.g., consolidating P&L, balance sheet, cash activity, budget‑to‑actual variance summaries, and key metrics).
• Prepare consolidated financial statements (including footnotes/supporting schedules, as applicable) and required debt covenant reporting.
• Provide analytical review of revenue, expense, and balance sheet activity; identify trends, risks, and actionable recommendations.

• Coordinate the annual financial statement audit and any required program/other audits; serve as primary liaison with external auditors.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls and accounting policies/procedures to safeguard University assets (including restricted funds, endowment, grants, and capital activity).
• Support regulatory and compliance reporting (e.g., surveys, institutional reporting, and other required filings as applicable).

• Direct and oversee Accounts Payable functions to ensure accurate, timely processing and compliance with policy.
• Oversee general accounting operations and services, including the integrity of accounting records, chart of accounts, fixed assets, and applicable reconciliations.
• Partner with campus stakeholders to ensure correct accounting treatment and consistent processes.

• Oversee recording and reporting of endowment and investment activity, including fair value / market‑to‑market accounting and related reporting.
• Maintain schedules and accounting support for debt, debt compliance, and related reporting.
• Support accounting for auxiliary enterprises and any University‑related entities (including commercial real estate interests, where applicable).

• Serve as a functional leader for the financial system environment; coordinate assessment of financial system needs and recommend/implement improvements (e.g., Banner Finance configurations, reporting tools, workflow enhancements).
• Establish and maintain accounting operations procedures, user guidance, and training to promote consistent practices and data integrity.

• Supervise, coach, and develop accounting staff; plan and schedule work to ensure coverage, appropriate workload distribution, and cross‑training.
• Support hiring, performance management, professional development, and succession planning for the accounting team.
• Serve on University committees and project teams as assigned; perform other related duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (Master’s preferred).
• CPA strongly preferred.
• 10–12 years of progressive accounting experience; not‑for‑profit and/or higher education experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience preparing GAAP financial statements; experience with not‑for‑profit GAAP strongly preferred.
• Experience preparing consolidated statements and supporting audit engagements.
• Experience with investment accounting and fair value concepts; experience with debt compliance reporting preferred.
• ERP experience required;
  Ellucian Banner Finance experience preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively across campus; able to manage multiple deadlines.

Houston Christian University is an independent,…