Assistant Vice President for Business Services, Controller

Cornell College invites applications for an assistant vice president for business services, controller. The assistant vice president is responsible for establishing the appropriate environment to ensure controls are created and maintained to safeguard assets, including financial, reputational, and physical assets. The position ensures proper recording of assets, liabilities, funds, revenues, and expenses in compliance with GAAP, applicable laws, regulations, college policies, and donor requirements. The controller manages the annual external audit and the preparation of all federal and state financial reports, including timely preparation of materials and filing of reports. The position oversees the business office including the supervision of billing and collection of all revenues and verification and payment of all disbursements and assists the vice president, chief financial officer in coordinating and organizing budget preparation and various internal financial reporting activities.

About Cornell College

Cornell College is a selective liberal arts college distinguished by our Ingenuity curriculum that builds on the strengths of our One Course At A Time schedule. This combination encourages the qualities of being thoughtful, original, and inventive, using the strengths of a liberal arts education to apply ideas to solve problems and meet challenges through hands-on experience in learning. Academic immersion, Division III NCAA athletic teams, and unparalleled flexibility attract an ambitious student body from across the U.S. and worldwide. We are located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, an urban fringe community located in the heart of the ICR Iowa region.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting / Finance required (CPA preferred). Minimum of six years of supervisory experience in a not-for-profit accounting environment with a minimum of $20 million in annual revenue preferred.


Preferred Skills

• Excellent technical accounting skills and knowledge (GAAP, fund accounting, endowment accounting, accounts payable and payroll).
• Ability to understand, develop and communicate the information needs of senior staff and provide meaningful reports and analyses.
• Understanding of systems and procedures to support internal control and external reporting and compliance requirements. Ability to streamline accounting processes to reduce time and increase accuracy of accounting records.
• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the college's annual budgeting process including collaborating with academic and administrative departments to prepare, review, and consolidate budget submissions, providing guidance and support throughout the budgeting cycle.
• Strong sense of service orientation, with a proven ability to effectively communicate decisions and educate in the process.
• High level of professionalism and integrity with a demonstrated ability to work productively with, and gain confidence of, all areas of the college.
• Ability to maintain focus, successfully execute against plans, and bring timely closure to activities, tasks and projects.
• Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word (required); (Microsoft Dynamics / PowerCAMPUS preferred). Familiarity with Google Suite is helpful.
• Has proven experience in developing others-providing coaching and offering assignments that challenge and foster skills. Must have an excellent track record in building and leading effective teams.
• Personal attributes - energetic, optimistic, competent, ethical with the ability to develop a deep sense of trust, can engage people in a dynamic work environment, visionary about leading improvements in the accounting processes, ability to nurture opportunities for collaboration, ability to cultivate and maintain informal relationships across the college that are mutually beneficial, ability to motivate people by a purpose worthy of their efforts, excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent organization and problem solving skills.
• A passion and commitment for the work, culture, and mission of Cornell College.
• Higher education accounting experience

Working Relationships and Location

Reports to the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; supervises the team within the business office. Daily contact with college faculty, staff, and students, and has regular contact with financial institutions, attorneys, brokers, donors, governmental officials, suppliers, trustees, and the general public. This position is expected to work on campus with the option for 1-2 days per week of remote work.

Cornell employees enjoy a fantastic benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, HSA & FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents. The college also offers life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance. And, all full-time staff begin with a 4-week vacation accrual along with 14.5 paid holidays per year.


Application Process

To apply, submit a resume and list of at least three professional references through Cornell College's online application system.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell complies with Iowa's Smoke-free Air Act. Cornell utilizes E-Verify and requires the satisfactory completion of a background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.