Controller

Controller Position

(ON-SITE - In-Person Position)

About Coast Community College District

The Coast Community College District is a multi-college district that includes Coastline Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College. The three colleges offer programs in transfer, general education, occupational/technical education, community services, and student support services. Coastline, Golden West, and Orange Coast colleges enroll more than 60,000 students each year in more than 300 degree and certificate programs. Since its founding in 1947, the Coast Community College District has enjoyed a reputation as one of the leading community college districts in the United States. The Coast Community College District values diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism by creating a culture of inclusive excellence that uplifts employees and students through an environment that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible.

Summary

Plans, organizes, manages, and coordinates the acceptance and processing of financial reporting including, performance reporting, financial database management, accounting controls, and audit support. Oversees, through intermediate supervision, accounting operations. Schedules annual financial reporting cycles, ensuring adequate levels of service to other departments, the colleges, and executives.

Distinguishing Career Features

The Controller is a management position responsible for integrating accounting operations, audit, systems, and controls governing business transactions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Specific duties may vary among departments, divisions and jobs. Incumbents typically perform a substantial portion or all of the following kinds of duties, as assigned:

1. Plans, organizes, and manages District-wide current accounting functions including, but not limited to, accounts payable, accounts receivable and treasury, financial aid, budget and expense controls, and decision support for forecasting and performance analysis.
2. Schedules annual financial reporting cycles, objectives, and priorities. Directs, trains, and supervises the performance of subordinate work sections, ensuring adequate levels of service to other departments, colleges, and executives.
3. Ensures protection of assets by developing, coordinating, and administering internal accounting policies, controls, and procedures for accounting operations that include but are not limited to revenues and reimbursements, expense budgets, accounts receivable, contracts and accounts payable, payroll, grants, and special funds.
4. Directs and prepares periodic reports that compare performance with plans, budgets, and standards. Interprets financial and statistical results. Provides sites and departments with periodic financial management information reports, highlighting variances from plan.
5. Forecasts short-range cash requirements and obligations, as a basis for maintaining adequate funds.
6. Executes cash disbursements for payment of expenditures of accounts payable, debt, and payroll in accordance with disbursement and accounting policies.
7. Oversees fixed asset accounting. Maintains up-to-date accounting of fixed asset account balances. Oversees determination of depreciation rates. Monitors inventory levels, receives verification after physical inventories are completed, compares book versus actual inventory, and advises others on variances.
8. Oversees and participates in the closing of financial records to prepare trial balance financial summary statements. Oversees preparation of accounting entries to close accounts, allocation of accounting adjustments, and consolidation to summaries.
9. Continually reviews accounting systems for appropriate information, accuracy, and controls. Ensures that accounting systems comply with appropriate regulations and data transfer requirements.
10. Reconciles fund balances with the County Treasurer and County Office of Education. Reconciles financial aid fund balances.
11. Serves as the designated accounting officer and contact for state, special fund, and private auditors.
12. Analyzes cost versus benefit for decisions on the amount of coverage and self-funded versus third party insurances. Works with Risk Services to set up special funds for self-insured programs.
13. Serves as primary Banking Liaison for all District banking needs. Reviews existing banking services and makes recommendations for changes or additions of new services.
14. Provides oversight regarding the examination, reconciliation and adjustment of accounting records and the annual closing of the books. Assists with independent auditor for District, Foundation and GO Bond audits and helps to coordinate responses to the annual audit report of findings, comments and recommendations, when necessary.
15. Assists staff in developing solutions to technical problems and with accounting procedural questions. Reviews staff work for accuracy and compliance with District policies. Plans, organizes, and coordinates staff assignments for maximum effectiveness and productivity. Provides technical assistance and responds to inquiries of District staff regarding various fiscal matters. Determines, recommends, and implements appropriate changes and improvements in existing accounting systems and procedures.
16. Oversees the maintenance of chart of accounts for all funds in accordance with the Budget and Accounting Manual.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned that support the objective of the position.
18. Required to abide by all District policies and procedures including Board Policy 3050 – Code of Professional Ethics.

Qualifications and Physical Demands

Knowledge and Skills

1. The position requires advanced-specialized professional knowledge of the theory, principles, and procedures of accounting, auditing, and finance for education and public sector.

2. Requires in-depth knowledge of the principles and procedures used in budget preparation, accounting administration, and development of internal controls.

3. Requires professional knowledge of the principles and techniques used in financial analysis and research.

4. Requires in-depth knowledge of the District's accounting data entry and storage systems.

5. Requires in-depth knowledge of the external audit process.

6. Requires considerable knowledge of the laws and regulations governing financial transactions.

7. Requires a working knowledge of insurance and insurability including cost-benefit analysis.

8. Requires a working knowledge of centralized purchasing and material management functions.

9. Requires advanced math skills to perform an array of business and statistical calculations.

10. Requires well-developed skill with personal computer software sufficient to design and use spreadsheet and database models.

11. Requires well-developed language skills to prepare business plans and complex reports seen by the public.

12. Requires well-developed human relations skills sufficient to carry out negotiations, make formal presentations, conduct performance reviews, and communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Abilities

1. Requires the ability to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the position.

2. Requires the ability to organize and integrate all financial reporting services.

3. Requires the ability to conduct complex analyses of accounting systems, financial reports, business opportunities such as grants, capital projects, and on-going operations.

4. Requires the ability to interpret and apply accounting rules and requirements and pertinent sections of the Education Code.

5. Requires the ability to convert financial information and outcomes into reports of findings and condition.

6. Requires the ability to gather and analyze data and develop conclusions and recommendations.

7. Requires the ability to develop projections using historical data and inferential methods.

8. Requires the ability to think critically and creatively.

9. Requires the ability to supervise, train, evaluate and motivate staff in a way that optimizes service.

10. Requires the ability to plan, organize and prioritize complex and technical work processes in order to meet schedules and timelines.

Physical Abilities

1. The general physical demands, working conditions, and essential job functions associated with this classification will be kept on file with the Office of Human Resources. 2. Essential functions will vary by position. 3. As defined by Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act ("FEHA"), the District shall engage in a timely, good faith interactive process with employees or employment applicants who are requesting or are in need of reasonable accommodations and, provide reasonable accommodations for employees or employment applicants who, because of their disability, are limited in or unable to perform one or more of the essential functions of their job in accordance with applicable state and federal law.

Education and Experience

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a closely related field. Requires five (5) years of experience in accounting systems and operations, financial reporting, audit, including two (2) years in a leadership capacity. Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required equivalent qualifications for the position.

AND

Demonstrated evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, ethnic, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural diversity within the community college student population, including students with different ability statuses (e.g., physical and/or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practice within the classroom.

Preferred Qualifications