Assistant Vice President & Controller

Located along Florida’s I-4 High Tech Corridor, Florida Poly opened its doors in August 2014 as the state’s 12th university and the only one dedicated to core subjects in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM education). The non-traditional academic environment focuses on applied learning, specifically in technology and engineering. Small class sizes give faculty the opportunity to work closely with high-caliber students, and the most advanced technology, including a Supercomputer, 3D printing lab, media lab and nanotechnology lab, sets Florida Poly apart from other state universities. Florida Poly’s innovative approach to higher education allows students to learn strong fundamentals within a traditional university department structure, while giving them opportunities to apply their learning through research and projects in emerging high-tech concentrations like Cyber Security, Big Data Analytics, Machine Intelligence and more. The University partners closely with industry leading firms, and faculty members are rewarded for more than just publishing. Industry involvement, problem solving, and the commercialization of technology and research through start-ups and small businesses are encouraged.

Job Title

Assistant Vice President & Controller

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Assistant Vice President & University Controller (AVP) provides leadership for the management and oversight to the University’s and the University Foundation’s financial accounting and reporting functions. The AVP will be responsible for the University and it’s Direct Support Organizations’ (DSO) financial accounting, budgeting and reporting functions, including, but not limited to, ensuring the accounting and reporting of financial activities is compliant with government requirements, establishing appropriate internal controls over accounting, safeguarding the integrity of accounting information, preparing and certifying the university’s and the University Foundation’s financial statements, and coordinating the annual financial audit, periodic operational audits, and other specialized audits. Accountable for overseeing development and implementing strategic plans for the functional area under broad direction. Accountable for leading all aspects of a major functional area, supervising Directors, Associate Directors, Assistant Directors, and other Professional Individual Contributors. Directs activities and strategies that have broad impact across Florida Polytechnic.

Job Description

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the assigned staff and functional goals as well as to identify best practices.
• Maintain and report financial transactions in accordance with GAAP, GASB standards and governmental audit requirements and State University Systems of Florida rules and regulations.
• Oversee and direct activities associated with monthly and year-end close processes.
• Ensure that financial transactions are accurate and properly recorded and classified.
• Direct the preparation of government reports and tax returns in a timely and accurate manner.
• Generate and interpret required and ad hoc reports.
• Interface with internal and external auditors, addressing inquiries and providing documentation that supports their needs; ensures clean audits with no audit findings.
• Facilitate the effective use of financial systems and the interface of other elements in auxiliary systems, including the integration of system upgrades and updates;
• Analyze and interpret data using current technology and retrieval applications.
• Proactively analyze and apply accounting policy changes to ensure accurate financial statements and disclosures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and institutional regulations.
• Analyze, exercise judgment and communicate timely and appropriate related risks to accounting, reporting and tax matters.
• Interpret and implement appropriate university policies, procedures, guidelines and forms over accounting and reporting (including journal entry guidelines, travel guidelines, year-end task procedures, spending guidelines, capital asset guidelines, expenditure authorization and reconciliation guidelines, cash and bank accounting guidelines, month end close checklist, etc.)
• Oversee and direct policies and procedures governing fiscal systems and internal controls for the accounting and reporting functions.
• Assess, monitors and ensures systems of internal accounting controls satisfy management assertions and compliance requirements subject to audit.
• Ensure financial systems are safeguarded against unauthorized and improper use.
• Asses, implements and monitors a process to ensure reliable data is collected to meet deadlines and filing requirements.
• Assess training needs and provide relevant development opportunities for campus; assess security risk associated with the financial records; establish appropriate controls to mitigate such risk.
• Supervise department employees including hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, etc.
• Develops and monitors the University budget and administers the approved budget for the Controller’s office.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with the University’s strategic plan, especially as the institution considers partnerships and collaborations with external organizations.
• Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
• Oversee financial planning and analysis.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Analytical Thinking : Expert ability to identify issues, obtain relevant information, relate and compare data from different sources, and identify alternative solutions.
  
• Critical Thinking : Expertly interprets and seeks information, uses independent reasoning to diagnose the root cause of situations or issues, identifies and tests solutions and thinks beyond what is typical or customary. Uses information to determine benefits and impact in making decision and/or recommendations.
  
• Project/Program/Service Management : Expert ability to coordinate and administer programs/project activities and protocols. Ability to manage resources, monitor activities, and assess risks and quality issues associated with the program/project.
  
• Written and Oral Communications : Expert ability Ability to present information to individuals or groups; ability to deliver presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience. Ability to convey information clearly and concisely to groups or individuals either verbally or in writing to ensure that they understand the information and the message. Ability to listen and respond appropriately to others. Ability to impact and influence others to further the institution’s strategic objectives.
  
• Strategic Planning : Expert ability to set priorities, focus energy and resources, strengthen operations, ensure employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals. Ability to establish agreement around intended outcomes/results and assess and adjust the organization’s direction in response to a changing environment; producing fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, whom it serves, what it does, and why it does it, with a focus on the future.
  
• Risk Management : Expert ability to identify potential risks/hazards in advance that could negatively affect the organization’s ability to conduct business. Identify inherent risks and provide measures, processes and controls to reduce the impact of these risks to business operations
  
• Interpersonal Skills : Must possess a positive, collaborative work-style, inquisitive attitude, flexibility, creativity, focus on excellence, and overall “great-to-work-with” demeanor.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting with 9+ years of relevant experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters/MBA or CPA preferred, with 7+ years of relevant experience
• Experience in higher education or other governmental agency preferred.
• Experience with Workday preferred.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• This position requires a criminal background check, which may include a Level II screening as required by Florida Statute §435.04.
• This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is salary exempt. The normal work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., however, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required. Travel between campus locations may be required.

TARGET HIRING SALARY : Commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE : The position is open until filled, however review of applications will commence immediately.

APPLICATION PROCESS : In addition to completing the online application, all Applicants are required to upload the following as an attachment to the application (preferably in PDF format):

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• List of at least three (3) professional references (names and contact information)

Special Instructions Regarding Attachments:

Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.

An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.

Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.

This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute §435.04.