Controller

Controller

New River Community and Technical College is seeking a highly skilled and strategic Controller to provide leadership and oversight of the College's accounting, financial reporting, compliance, and fiscal operations.

Reporting to the Vice President of Finance and Facilities/Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller serves as a key financial leader responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the College's financial records, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements, and safeguarding institutional resources.

This position offers an opportunity for an experienced accounting professional to play a critical role in supporting sound financial management, informed decision-making, operational effectiveness, and the long-term stewardship of College resources.

What You'll Do

• Direct and oversee the College's accounting operations and related financial activities.
• Maintain the integrity of the College's general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports.
• Ensure financial reporting and accounting practices comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Analyze financial results and provide meaningful recommendations and financial insight to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with the CFO in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the College's budget.
• Monitor revenues and expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budgets and applicable fiscal requirements.
• Assist with financial forecasting, cash-flow management, and long-term financial planning.
• Provide financial analysis and reporting to support institutional priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Lead the preparation, coordination, and successful completion of the College's annual external financial audit.
• Develop audit schedules and prepare supporting documentation, reconciliations, financial statements, and other materials required by auditors.
• Coordinate responses to audit inquiries and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, accreditation, and grant requirements applicable to the College's financial operations.
• Prepare financial information and documentation required for accreditation reviews and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure financial records and reporting practices support transparency, accountability, and institutional compliance.
• Oversee accounting and financial reporting for federal, state, local, and private grants.
• Ensure grant-related accounting practices comply with applicable funding regulations and reporting requirements.
• Monitor restricted funds and ensure expenditures are allowable and aligned with applicable funding restrictions and requirements.
• Oversee cash-management processes and banking relationships.
• Monitor investment activities in accordance with Board policies and applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintain accurate capital asset records and depreciation schedules.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place to safeguard College assets and institutional resources.
• Supervise accounting personnel and oversee departmental operations.
• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, collaboration, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate staffing and operational needs and recommend organizational improvements.
• Oversee financial-system functionality and accounting-related software applications.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve the efficiency, accuracy, effectiveness, and reliability of financial processes.
• Support the implementation, enhancement, and optimization of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and related financial technologies.
• Prepare financial reports and presentations for the CFO, President, Board of Governors, and other institutional stakeholders.
• Collaborate with College leadership and departments to support sound financial decision-making and effective stewardship of institutional resources.
• Serve on institutional committees and participate in College initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will bring strong technical accounting expertise, sound judgment, analytical ability, and a commitment to public higher education and responsible stewardship of institutional resources.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and NACUBO pronouncements and guidance, fund accounting principles, and applicable state and federal regulations pertaining to public colleges and universities.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, accounting standards, and fiscal requirements to professional accounting, budget analysis, financial transactions, and fiscal operations.
• Knowledge and ability to develop, maintain, and revise accounting systems, program budgets, and appropriate internal fiscal controls.
• Strong financial analysis, analytical thinking, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service.
• Advanced proficiency with spreadsheets, including Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments to meet deadlines and operational requirements.
• Ability to identify problems or areas of concern, evaluate underlying causes, and take appropriate action to resolve issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively with leadership, employees, auditors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Required:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or another directly related field.
• At least four years of progressively responsible experience in financial management.
• At least four years of directly related experience in accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.

An equivalent combination of education and recent, directly related experience may be considered where appropriate.

Preferred:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Why This Role Matters

The Controller is a critical member of the College's financial leadership team. The position helps ensure that financial information is accurate, transparent, timely, and compliant, while providing the financial insight and operational oversight necessary to support institutional decision-making.

The Controller's work directly contributes to the College's ability to responsibly manage public and institutional resources, meet regulatory and accountability requirements, support students and employees, and advance its mission.

Our Mission, Values & Vision

At New River Community and Technical College, our employees contribute directly to our mission of providing accessible, affordable, quality education and workforce programs to meet the needs of the region we serve.

Our shared values—Respect, Honesty, Education, and Community—guide how we work, make decisions, serve others, and fulfill our responsibilities.

We value employees who:

• Recognize and respect the contributions and perspectives of others.
• Communicate openly, honestly, and accurately.
• Take responsibility for their actions and decisions.
• Embrace continuous learning and professional growth.
• Share knowledge and support the development of others.
• Engage with and contribute to the communities we serve.
• Demonstrate integrity and accountability in their work.

Our vision is to improve students' lives and enrich communities as an increasingly integral part of the educational and economic landscape of southern West Virginia.

Equal Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodation

New River Community and Technical College is committed to providing an inclusive workplace and supporting qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

The physical requirements associated with this position are representative of those necessary to perform its essential functions. Requirements may be modified, when appropriate, to provide reasonable accommodation consistent with applicable law.

Additional Information

This position is non-classified, exempt, and serves at the will and pleasure of the College President.

Employees are expected to comply with all applicable College policies, procedures, standards, and job-related instructions. The duties described above are representative of the position and are not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other job-related duties may be assigned as needed.

New River Community and Technical College reserves the right to modify position requirements and responsibilities as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law and institutional policy.