Assistant Controller

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is recruiting for an Assistant Controller. Reporting to the Controller, the Assistant Controller is a key Finance Division leadership position responsible for financial reporting, internal controls, tax compliance, and adherence to GAAP and other regulatory requirements.

The Assistant Controller oversees a team of professionals responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, treasury and cash management, accounts payable and disbursements, and general accounting operations. The position requires comfort and aptitude working at both strategic and operational execution levels, balancing hands-on work with effective team leadership, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and implement best practices. This role is essential for maintaining stakeholder trust through accurate financial reporting and stewardship, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring operational excellence in WFAA's finance function.

This is a hybrid position that will require you to work on-site in our Madison, WI office location at least two days weekly.

• Oversee the preparation and review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and management reports, including variance analysis and KPIs.
• Ensure timely preparation of materials for senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Identify opportunities for automated dashboards and reporting and drive development.
• Proactively develop and maintain advanced working knowledge of applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices; research, interpret, and develop recommendations as needed.
• Ensure adequate quality assurance processes are followed for financial data used in internal and external reports.
• Coordinate and lead the external audit as primary staff liaison, as well as prepare and review work papers, annual financial statements, and footnotes, ensuring GAAP compliance.
• Partner with the Controller on internal controls design, documentation, and oversight; maintain risk and control matrices; and execute internal control testing.
• Ensure adequate segregation of duties across finance activities and maintain documentation.
• Support strategic planning and coordination of outsourced internal control reviews.

Responsible for ensuring that the monthly and quarterly close process is completed comprehensively and timely, assisted by well documented processes and standardization of supporting work papers. Review monthly and quarterly reconciliations and analyses. Identify and implement improvements to accounting systems, processes, and documentation to ensure accuracy and timeliness and enhance efficiency and automation. Maintain general ledger integrity and governance, including chart of accounts changes, reporting standards and naming conventions, and journal entry documentation requirements.

Provide oversight and strategic direction for disbursements, corporate card programs, and travel expense management; lead process improvements and team development; ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with organizational policies. Assist the Controller with effective design of the organization’s financial policies and supporting procedures, as well as integration of those policies and procedures with those of the university.

• Oversee preparation of the annual operating budget and the tools, processes, and communications supporting effective budget development.
• Design and implement effective expenditure controls to ensure proper authorization of organizational spending.
• Oversee processes for timely monthly and quarterly reviews of operating expenses against budget, including variance analyses and engagement with budget managers.
• Assist the Controller with financial modeling, trend analyses and long-term financial planning.
• Provide insight into financial trends and results, identifying risks and opportunities; collaborate on strategic modeling and forecasting.

• Prepare supporting documentation for state and federal tax returns, and manage tax payments, coordinating with external tax advisors.
• Develop enhanced documentation and monitor adherence to procedures to ensure timely, accurate completion of all regulatory filings.
• Ensure organizational compliance with charitable state registrations and provide oversight and management of outsourced vendor(s).
• Ensure compliance with state Sales & Use Tax regulations.
• Oversee or execute treasury operations, including approval of wire transfers and ACH payments, management of cash transfers between accounts based on liquidity needs, and user access administration.
• Oversee or manage banking and brokerage relationships, including account administration, signatory authorities, service optimization, and fee analysis.
• Participate in the management of…