Associate Vice President of Finance and Controller

Position Summary:

The Associate Vice President of Finance and Controller, under the general direction of the
Senior Vice President/CFO, has hands-on responsibility for all fiscal activities for the School, ensuring compliance with School business
policies and procedures, state and federal fiscal management laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles. The
AVP/Controller provides budgetary and fiscal support to all departments and ensures the sound fiscal operation of the School, including the
timely, accurate, and comprehensive development of an annual budget and its implementation. The AVP/Controller provides leadership and
direct oversight for the finance team, which includes Student Accounts, Payroll, Accounts Payable, and General Accounting.

Domains:

Financial Management

• Oversee all accounting functions of the
  School, including but not limited to general accounting, financial and managerial reporting, cash management, construction/auxiliary
  accounting, donor funds accounting, government accounting, payroll and benefits (including compensation tracking/reporting), accounts
  payable, accounts receivable, audit liaison, tax compliance, and asset management.
• Prepare all required financial statements, the
  Form 990 and related filings, and reports for internal and external use as well as for audit purposes.
• Create and maintain
  appropriate fiscal policies and procedures, monitor budget performance, monitor compliance with applicable government laws, ensure
  compliance with tax issues, and recommend and implement systems to improve efficiency of operations.
• Develop projections and
  analysis with recommendations and conclusions for management. Project and quantify future needs accurately.
• Manage, direct, and
  perform special projects and assignments, such as budget modeling and major system development projects which impact financial
  reporting.
• Ensure the proper and timely recording of transactions in the accounting system of record to allow for management
  reporting, Board of Trustees reporting, financial analysis, and budgetary controls by departments within the School.
• Ensure that
  tuition and contributed revenue is reconciled monthly in collaboration with Student Accounts and the Advancement Department.
• Recommend accounting system enhancements, and work with the Information Technology department to properly configure and implement
  changes.
• Ensure the Business Office adheres to basic requirements of internal control and sound office procedures, using accurate
  and reliable data and information.
• Recommend/participate in the development of policies and procedures; may serve on MSM planning
  and policy-making committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Budget Management and
Control

• Assist the CFO with budget development, financial and cash flow forecast, and preparation for Board
  Committee/Subcommittee mailings and meeting materials.
• Manage budget within established guidelines, promptly reporting anticipated
  budgetary problems to the CFO.
• Provide CFO and senior leadership with timely monthly budget and financial reports.
• Train
  staff on budget and fiscal matters on a routine basis.
• Manage the monthly close process, ensuring all workpapers are rolled forward
  each month and all adjusting entries are posted so that the trial balance is always supported by the workpapers; work with team to meet
  deadlines.
• Prepare all financial reports required by bond or banking agreements on a timely basis.

Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate completion of annual audits prepared by independent
  auditors.
• Liaison with accounting services firm to plan all audits and financial reporting that require external CPA firm review or
  audit, and report results to the administration.
• Complete all audits on a timely basis by providing needed work papers and draft
  financial statements.
• Establish and maintain proper internal controls, and promptly report any weaknesses in internal controls to
  the CFO.

Administrative Management

• Articulate a challenging direction for the
  Business Office, and strive for continuous improvement and best practices for all tasks and services delivered by the Business Office.
  Anticipate program needs of the Business and Finance part of the CFO division.
• Adhere to the School’s performance management
  program, conducting regular check-in meetings with staff and providing feedback on goals and performance to build their skills and
  confidence and to contribute to ongoing improvement throughout the department.
• Participate effectively on committees and teams
  within the CFO division and across the School, collaboratively supporting the work of other departments and colleagues.
• Keep
  current on trends and up-to-date in professional field.
• Provide customer service to the MSM community, determining customer needs,
  proactively resolving issues and creating strong working relationships with diverse constituencies.

Job
Requirements:

• Knowledge of financial, accounting and business operations, modern information systems, and current
  practices and trends of not-for-profit accounting, preferably in private higher education.
• Knowledge of college and/or public
  auditing policies, standards, and procedures, as well relevant policies, state mandates, and administrative directives.
• Ability to
  interpret audit information and to institute financial policy, procedure, and/or operational corrections and modifications.
• Skills
  in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and
  procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies
  in a diverse community.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information in a clear, concise way; excellent oral, written, and
  presentation skills.
• Skills in analyzing complex problems and developing and evaluating options.
• Experience managing
  external relationships with bankers, auditors, investment managers.
• Initiative to follow through with tasks and follow up on
  communications.
• Demonstrated collaborative work style of motivating staff, achieving goals, and creating a customer-focused culture
  of service.
• Impeccable integrity, confidentiality, and good judgment.
• Personally responsible, steadfast, and can be called
  upon to meet challenges.
• Interest in the mission, vision, and values of higher education and performing arts.
• Weeknights
  and/or weekend work may be required.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree;
  preference for Active CPA, MBA, or other master’s degree in relevant field; or significant experience at Controller level or above in
  a college or university.
• Eight to ten years in financial management.
• Technical proficiency with accounting software
  (Jenzabar familiarity a plus), Excel (advanced proficiency a plus), and other tools.

Contact
Information:

• Send letter of application and résumé including three references to: recruitfin@msmnyc.edu
• No phone calls, please.