Assistant Controller

Full job description
Job Category:
Staff


Job Description:

Location: Wooster, OH Category: Staff Posted On: Mon Jul 28 2025 Job Description:


Summary:

The Assistant Controller is responsible for the management, supervision, and financial oversight of the Accounts Receivable department and the Accounting Associate. Oversees internal controls related to cash, endowment funds, and financial reporting. Manages quarterly investment reconciliations and adjustments for Endowment and Planned Giving accounts, including pooled investment allocations. Supports audit preparation and ensures accurate GAAP financial statements. Oversees preparation of Forms 990 and 990-T and all required state tax filings. Additional responsibilities include fixed asset accounting, functional expense allocations, student loan program management, and cross-departmental financial support.

Essential Departmental Duties and Responsibilities:

Accounts Receivable Oversight – Supervise the Accounts Receivable department, including direct supervision and training of the Accounts Receivable Manager and indirect supervision of the Accounts Receivable Coordinator. Oversee the 1098-T year-end process and monitor Title IV funds.
Regulatory and Financial Compliance – Ensure adherence to local, state, and federal laws and regulations by monitoring departmental activities and staying current with applicable requirements. Manage the Federal Perkins and institutional student loan programs, including FISAP reporting and loan assignments to the Department of Education.
Financial Reporting and Audit – Lead the preparation of year-end GAAP financial statements, coordinate the annual audit, and prepare Form 990, 990-T, and state tax filings. Maintain related party schedules and files for tax reporting.
Cash and Investment Management – Review cash journal entries and oversee pooled investment accounts, including quarterly income allocations, market value adjustments, and endowment transactions. Set up new endowment accounts and calculate annual payouts based on Board and management criteria.
Capital Projects and Fixed Assets – Track major capital projects, establish project accounts, record fixed assets, and calculate and record annual depreciation.
Budget and Departmental Support – Assist campus departments with budget-related inquiries, transaction reviews, and use of Datatel Colleague software. Provide guidance on financial reports and resolve discrepancies.
Reconciliations and Allocations – Prepare quarterly reconciliations of Advancement gift reports to the General Ledger. Update present value calculations for pledges and estate notes. Allocate functional expenses for audited financials, maintain allocation schedules, and record related journal entries.
System Access and Security – Manage changes to Datatel Colleague security settings, including account access and purchasing approval levels.
Assist with annual survey reporting and perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by the AVP Controller or the Vice President for Finance and Business.
Job Requirements:


Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in accounting.
CPA is highly desirable.
4-5 years minimum accounting experience (not-for-profit preferred)
Supervisory experience.
Thorough understanding of GAAP, tax rules/regulations,
Proficiency in tax and accounting research.
Experience with Datatel’s Colleague financial software is highly desirable.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Skills: (Language, communication, reading and reasoning)

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, tax code and regulations, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively communicate information to executive management, public groups, and/or the Board of Trustee.
Must have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to interpret a variety of technical, legal, and professional guidance furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Knowledge: (Math, Computer/Tech, May list soft skills)

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
Must be detail-oriented with the ability to process a large amount of data with complete accuracy.
Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office and good data entry skills are required
Abilities: (Safety, Mission, Ethics and Code of Conduct)

Must have strong ethical values and be able to keep information confidential.
Work Environment: (Describe the working environment)

The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and filing cabinets.
Additional Information:


The College of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, disability, age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy, or by state, local, or federal law. All offers of employment are subject to verification of the legal right to work in the United States as required by federal law. The College of Wooster is committed by policy and practice to diversity, equity and inclusion. Read more