General Summary: The Assistant Controller manages the University's essential financial information and payment infrastructure inclusive of general accounting, accounts payables, and payroll. The Assistant Controller works collaboratively with internal stakeholders including Deans and Directors, budget management, students, and staff to apply and translate accounting concepts and policies. In this hands-on role, the Assistant Controller oversees the application of technical accounting issues, implementation of financial policies and internal controls over financial reporting, adherence to deadlines, and continual process improvement. The Assistant Controller manages the relationship with external auditors. The Assistant Controller models the University's mission and values.

Job Duties:

• Oversees the Assistant Controller's organizational structure and leads, hires, motivates, mentors, trains, and develops the team so it accomplishes the Finance Office's overall goals and objectives.
• Serves as the primary technical accountant, which involves advising, monetizing, analyzing, authorizing, and applying accounting concepts and standards.
• Leads financial and accounting policies, internal controls, and processes, including transaction review, reconciliations, and month end close procedures.
• Establishes processes to ensure compliance with policies, GAAP, fund restrictions, and grants while meeting deadlines and providing guidance and direction to staff and internal stakeholders.
• Prepares or provides oversight to areas of accounting requiring professional and technical accounting expertise and leading the implementation of new accounting standards for the University and related entities.
• Oversees disbursement transactional processes for accounts payable by offering guidance, assistance, and review to ensure compliance with policies, internal controls, and budget restrictions.
• Prepares monthly and triannual board financial statements and prepares annual audited financial statements including supporting schedules and footnotes.
• Prepares and presents periodic draws and invoices, financial reports and analysis as required for grants and contracts and as requested by various areas of the University community (Board of Trustees, University managers, Business and Finance staff, etc.).
• Prepares or reviews governmental filings, including, but not limited to, IRS Form 990 and 990-T, state taxes, Integrated Post-secondary Education Systems data filing, 1099, and other statements to government and regulatory agencies, such as the federal negotiated indirect cost rate (NICR) proposal.
• Acts as primary liaison with independent auditors, including planning, preparing, and completing schedules for the annual financial statement audit, federal funds audit (Single Audit), and triennial NCAA agreed-upon-procedures engagement.
• Monitors, recommends, implements, and enforces financial policies, including internal control procedures and systems to ensure the integrity of financial reporting and safeguarding of institutional assets.
• Manages system configuration and maintenance of the chart of accounts and related account classifications.
• Oversees all accounts payable and non-student account payments processes and related internal controls and supervises
• Works collaboratively with the intra-departmental and cross-functional teams to improve and streamline processes and systems.
• Assists as a major contributor for system development and improvement projects that impact financial reporting.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or closely related field.
• Five to eight years of progressive and related experience including three to four years of supervisory experience.
• CPA licensure (active or inactive) preferred.
• Hybrid work environment. Must reside in Washington state. Collaborative working style with the ability to relate to, develop, and mentor junior staff members and student workers.
• A successful individual will work independently and understand complex relationships between detail (e.g., program and account) and economic impact and institutional policy (e.g., big picture budget). Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is essential.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical accounting, tax, and governmental regulations to formulate conclusions and recommend solutions. Strong oral and written communication ability desired.
• A working knowledge of accounting/budgeting Enterprise-quality ERP experience required. Intermediate to advanced Excel to design and manipulate spreadsheet. Ability to work in MS Access. Ability to adapt to various cloud-based software tools.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Business, or related field.
• Familiarity with accounting in a university or not-for-profit environment.
• Public accounting experience is highly desired. Direct experience with 200 CFR, Single Audit, and private foundation grants is desirable.
• ERP implementation experience a plus. Experience using the Banner educational system is a plus.

Position will remain open until filled.

Salary: $110,000 annually

This is a full time position with excellent benefits. SPU pays the employee premium for medical, dental, and vision insurance. SPU makes contributions to an employee HSA account and to a retirement account after one year of eligibility in the plan. Tuition discount program available for the employee and qualified immediate family members.