Description

Position Summary

The Controller serves as the University’s senior accounting and financial reporting leader and is a key member of the Finance and Administration leadership team. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Finance, Administration and Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for the integrity of the University’s financial records, internal controls, monthly and annual financial close processes, audit preparation, tax reporting, cash management support, and accounting operations.

This position is intended to function as the CFO’s primary financial operations partner and second-in-command within the finance function. The successful candidate will be technically strong, highly organized, intellectually curious, and capable of exercising sound independent judgment. The Controller must be both a hands-on accounting leader and a strategic thinker who can translate financial information into useful insight for academic, administrative, and executive leaders across the University.

The Controller will lead and develop the accounting team, strengthen financial processes, support budget development and monitoring, and help ensure that Valparaiso University has timely, accurate, and actionable financial information to support mission-centered decision-making.

Requirements

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading accounting operations, general ledger integrity, financial reporting, and the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Supervising and developing finance staff while fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, service, and continuous improvement.
• Supporting cash management, liquidity planning, banking relationships, debt reporting, and treasury-related activities.
• Partnering with the CFO and campus leaders on budget preparation, budget-to-actual analysis, financial projections, and management reporting.
• Leading preparation for the annual financial statement audit and supporting tax and regulatory filings, including Form 990.
• Overseeing accounting for restricted gifts, grants, endowment funds, donor-restricted net assets, and releases from restriction.
• Strengthening internal controls, financial policies, procedures, systems, and reporting processes.
• Serving as a trusted financial partner to academic and administrative leaders, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.

Experience in higher education, nonprofit accounting, restricted gifts, grants, or endowment accounting is preferred but not required. Candidates with strong technical accounting skills, leadership ability, intellectual curiosity, and the demonstrated capacity to learn complex accounting environments are encouraged to apply.

To apply to this incredible opportunity, please follow the provided link.