Executive Director and Controller Position Profile
To apply, please visit: https://www.wsujobs.com/postings/46872
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Controller serves as the University’s chief accounting and reporting officer and supports the University strategic plan through managing and directing core financial and business service functions. The Controller leads five associate directors or managers (with an overall staff of approximately 70) with responsibility for all aspects of Sponsored Programs Post Award Accounting, Payroll, General Accounting and Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable, Travel Services, Accounts Receivable, Student Accounts, and Tax and Post Bond Issuance Compliance activities. The Controller interacts and collaborates with financial leadership at each University campus, college, and administrative area. The Controller serves as a member of the AVP’s senior leadership team.
Position Duties
Leadership and Management (35%):
- Oversee Sponsored Programs Post Award Accounting, Payroll, General Accounting, Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable, Travel Services, Accounts Receivable, Student Accounts, Tax, and Post Bond Issuance Compliance activities;
- Develop and inspire a high functioning and diverse team, ensuring a work environment that embodies the institution and division core values; coach team members toward optimal performance and career advancement;
- Supervise departmental leadership and oversee the establishment of goals, objectives, and performance metrics for the individual departments;
- Create and maintain a culture of excellence in customer service;
- Foster effective communication with the University community; build strong working relationships with financial professionals in each area;
- Prepare and monitor departmental budget plans and expenditures;
- Mentor staff on leading practices and implementation of efficient processes and procedures associated with Workday;
- Participate in systems development projects supporting the Controller’s office;
- Represent Finance and Administration, serving on University standing and ad-hoc committees;
- Maintain positive working relationships with University departments and assist departmental personnel with financial matters;
- Serve on state-wide committees as assigned, and maintain positive working relationships with state and federal agencies.
Financial Reporting (35%):
- Oversee the preparation of the annual University Financial Report ensuring accuracy, timeliness and clear presentation;
- Gain strong understanding of current and future accounting systems and processes, lead changes to future processes;
- Provide University leadership with access to accurate and timely information for strategic decision making and other reporting needs such as internal financial reports and long-range financial forecasts and decision support modeling;
- Oversee the preparation of the University’s Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate cost study; participate in negotiations with rate-setting agency;
- Participate in the identification and resolution of financial issues with current or potential impact on the University as an enterprise.
Policy, Procedures and Compliance (25%):
- Ensure University compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and accounting pronouncements, principles, and standards;
- Establish or recommend University-wide accounting and fiscal policies and transactional standards, ensuring consistency with the University’s mission and strategic plans and generally accepted accounting principles, GASB pronouncements, OMB Uniform guidance, OFM regulations, and NACUBO guidance; oversee related training programs;
- Assess changes to accounting principles and practices and determine application to WSU;
- Manage an effective system of internal controls that provide reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies;
- Serve as liaison with internal and external auditors.
Other Duties (5%):
- Perform other related duties/projects as assigned.
THE INSTITUTION
Founded in 1890 in Pullman, Washington State University (WSU) is Washington’s land-grant university with an overarching mission of improving the quality of life for all citizens – locally, nationally, and globally. WSU is committed to innovation and excellence in research and scholarship. WSU has a current enrollment of approximately 31,478 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and approximately 6,618 faculty and staff at its five campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett), as well as its numerous other locations across the State of Washington and online through its Global Campus.
WSU is one of the country’s top public research universities. It is governed by an independent ten member Board of Regents. WSU comprises the Colleges of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences; Arts and Sciences; Business; Communication; Education; Engineering and Architecture; Honors; Medical Sciences; Nursing; Pharmacy; Veterinary Medicine, as well as the Graduate School, WSU Global Campus, and WSU Extension; and the new College of Medicine. WSU provides excellent opportunities for graduate study in 80 master’s degree programs and 64 doctoral degree programs, and four professional degree programs within the colleges located in Pullman, Spokane, Vancouver, Tri Cities, as well as through WSU’s Global Campus.
U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” consistently places WSU in the top 75 public national universities. WSU was one of only three Northwest universities to be placed in the top two tiers, along with the University of Washington and the University of Oregon. WSU is ranked as a “highest research activity” institution by the Carnegie Foundation and is in the top 12 percent of research universities as reported by the National Science Foundation. Also, WSU was recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its engagement activities with its Community Engagement Classification.
WSU employs approximately 6618 faculty and professional staff and the University deeply values diversity among its faculty, students, and staff. WSU students represent diverse social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds: approximately 22 percent of WSU students hail from outside the state of Washington, and approximately 7.1 percent are international students. WSU annually awards approximately $390 million in scholarships and financial aid.
Intercollegiate athletics play an important role at WSU, and “Cougar Pride” is evident throughout the state of Washington. More than 500 student athletes compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the PAC-12 Conference, nicknamed the “Conference of Champions.”
WSU operates as an integrated university, with all campuses adhering to the same set of practices and policies: degree requirements are similar across campuses; all instructors and researchers, regardless of their location, are considered part of one faculty; and the offices of finance and administration are regarded as distinct, but highly integrated components of one division. WSU has been redefining its administrative and operational structures to ensure delivery of an integrated set of services while allowing each campus autonomy and a clearly defined identity.
WSU’s annual revenues exceed $1.1 billion per year with grants and contracts, tuition and fees, and state operating appropriations contributing 70% of the total revenue. WSU’s endowment is $886 million, including $418 million from the WSU Foundation and $468 million in land-grant endowments.
Building on the cornerstones of the 2014-2019 strategic planis the “Drive to 25.” WSU’s goal is to be recognized as one of the nation’s top 25 public research universities, preeminent in research and discovery, teaching and engagement by 2030. The Drive to 25 vision serves as WSU’s system-wide roadmap, guiding decisions about institutional goals, priorities, and financial investments into the future. The next five-year institutional strategic plan will serve as the blueprint for how WSU will build momentum for achieving this vision. The plan will direct the day-to-day decisions that advance the goal of becoming one of the nation’s top 25 public research institutions. As a system-level plan, it also will guide each campus plan, as well as all of WSU’s other academic, business and service plans.
THE LOCATION
This position is located in Pullman, Washington. Pullman is a town of approximately 33,354 people located in southeastern Washington, 75 miles south of Spokane.
Pullman offers the stimulation of a research university in a small town living environment. It is close to mountain ranges, scenic lakes, and rivers in an area that offers excellent outdoor activities. Commuting is easy in Pullman; you can make your commute part of your daily exercise program as it’s easy to get around by bicycle and on foot. The city maintains 15 miles of paved bicycle and pedestrian paths.
Interwoven within Pullman are 17 parks with over 145 acres of land. Each has its own unique features and recreational opportunities.
The Pullman School district as a whole rates in the highest category according to GreatSchools.org. Ratings are driven by students’ stellar performance on standardized tests. US News & World Report ranks Pullman High School among the top 30 best high schools in the state. Nearly half of Pullman High students participate in Advanced Placement® coursework and exams.
Pullman lies at the heart of one of the world’s great agricultural regions. That means you can enjoy locally sourced foods and fabulous local dining. WSU has the largest organic teaching farm in the country. Through its Community Supported Agriculture program you can buy local, organic produce directly from the farm. You can also buy fresh, local produce at farmers’ markets in Pullman and neighboring Moscow.
To learn more about living in Pullman, visit: