Controller

Controller

Drew University is building a dedicated, in-house accounting function reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer and is seeking a Controller to lead it. This is a newly created leadership role: the Controller will oversee the University's accounting team, including two Staff Accountants and the Accounts Payable function, while assuming responsibility of the general ledger, financial reporting, and day-to-day accounting operations that support the University's mission. This is a hands-on, finance-focused leadership role for someone who enjoys developing staff, strengthening accounting operations, and implementing effective financial processes within a higher education environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for the University's accounting team, including two Staff Accountants and the Accounts Payable function, while strengthening workflows, internal controls, and operational processes.
• Own the general ledger: month-end and year-end close, account reconciliations, journal entry review and approval, and maintenance of the chart of accounts and org hierarchy within Banner Finance.
• Prepare and review accurate, timely financial statements and management reporting for the CFO, University leadership, and the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure accounting operations comply with GAAP, nonprofit fund accounting standards (ASC 958), and higher education-specific reporting requirements, including restricted and endowment fund accounting.
• Serve as a key point of contact for the annual external audit and Form 990 preparation, coordinating with auditors and ensuring supporting documentation is complete and accurate.
• Oversee the Accounts Payable process, including vendor payments, disbursement controls, and cash management coordination.
• Partner with the CFO on internal controls, accounting policy, and process improvement as the accounting function transitions to an in-house, University-employed team.
• Support budget development and variance analysis in coordination with the University's Budget Development process within Banner.
• Leverage Banner Finance (and Argos reporting, where available) to produce ad hoc analysis and recurring reports for University stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory or team-leadership experience.
• Higher education accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with Banner Finance strongly preferred; familiarity with Argos reporting is a plus.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit and fund accounting principles (ASC 958), restricted fund management, and Form 990 requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead a team, and to establish or improve accounting processes and controls.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with University leadership and external auditors.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment with the expectation of being on campus for approximately 2-3 days a month

What This Role Offers

The Controller will play a foundational role in strengthening Drew University's in-house accounting function — providing leadership to the accounting team, enhancing financial processes, and establishing a strong foundation for financial operations that support the University for years to come. This is an opportunity to lead, not just manage, at an institution investing directly in its finance capabilities.

About Drew University

Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City.

It has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 students and has 136 full-time faculty members, 96% of whom hold the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master's and doctoral degrees, and the College confers BA and BS degrees in 40 disciplines and offers 19 dual-degree programs.

Drew's one-of-a-kind, leading edge path to an undergraduate degree, Launch, ensures that every student graduates with a purpose, sought-after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience-based résumé—guaranteed. Particularly noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include the Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), the Center for Civic Engagement, as well as seven New York City semesters and several international study abroad programs.

The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies offers a wide array of distinctive and flexible advanced degree programs designed to meet the needs of almost any busy schedule. All programs are based on Drew's renowned commitment to faculty-student mentorship, opportunities for out-of-the-classroom experiential learning, and facilitating a robust intellectual community.

The Theological School has a distinguished history rooted in the United Methodist Church. Today, it serves many denominations as a center for preparing clergy and leaders for service in the church and the world. Its focus on biblical and theological scholarship and social justice has made it a sought after destination for students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees.

To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Following federal and state requirements; a candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected for hire.

These positions are subject to a background check.