Controller

The Position

Title: Controller

Position Type: Full time

Requisition No: 27006

Category : Administration

Supervisor : Chief Financial Officer

Last Updated : September 2026

Job Purpose : Administration of Finance, Payroll and Accounting

Location: Remote, various locations throughout California

Salary Range: The beginning salary range for this position is Range M23, (Steps 1-3) $175,673.59 - $193,713.06.

Position Overview

We need a self-starter who can successfully handle competing, high priority job tasks quickly and successfully with effective results in a fast-paced environment; is detail oriented with excellent independent follow through; has knowledge of or can learn applicable federal and state financial requirements and accounting standards: can comprehend a wide range of business lines and work processes; has strong written and verbal communication skills (including electronic formats); is customer service oriented and team focused; can get along and work effectively with others; can plan, coordinate, and prioritize multiple projects while keeping appropriate personnel apprised of status on a regular basis; and can maintain discretion and confidentiality.

Under the general direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of Calbright College's accounting and payroll functions, including general ledger accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash management, month-end and year-end close, and audit coordination. The Controller executes the internal control framework and financial reporting processes established by the Chief Financial Officer, and directly supervises the Finance Division's classified accounting, payroll, and procurement support staff - currently the Accountant, Accounting Technician, Payroll Coordinator, and Procurement Coordinator, or their successor classifications as the team structure evolves. The Controller may serve as the Chief Financial Officer's designee for defined Finance Division functions, as described below, during the Chief Financial Officer's absence or a vacancy in that position.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities 

The duties below are representative of the role and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed within the scope of work.

● Direct and coordinate the day-to-day operations of accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, procurement support, and vendor accounts, consistent with organization internal control framework and policies.

● Build, execute, and maintain the College's system of internal controls, policies, and procedures over accounting functions - documenting, assessing, and updating them on a regular basis to ensure appropriate authorizations are obtained for all transactions and that all expenses are reasonable and allowable.

● Assure compliance with generally acceptable accounting principles and Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, federal and state requirements, and College policies and procedures.

● Provide guidance and training to Finance Division staff and College departments on fiscal-related policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

● Prepare and coordinate monthly financial statements, budget-to-actual analysis, periodic expenditure reports, and other reports as needed.

● Prepare and submit inter-fund transfers and bank wires for College funds maintained by the Solano County Treasurer’s Office and oversee signature control for authorized signers. ● Monitor the College's cash position, oversee routine banking operations, prepare cash flow analyses, and oversee cash-handling procedures to ensure appropriate internal controls.

● Oversee the College's credit card program, including card issuance and limit approvals, cardholder agreements, and overall internal controls over card use and reconciliation.

● Review and approve payroll registers and employee pay calculations; ensure the accuracy and integrity of the College's payroll records; and review, approve, and submit quarterly and annual payroll tax and retirement reports to state and federal agencies.

● Lead the monthly and annual close process, including preparation of year-end financial statements, accruals, journal entries, and required schedules in accordance with GAAP and fund accounting standards.

● Own and maintain the structure of the general ledger and chart of accounts.

● Evaluate new and complex GASB, FASB, and other GAAP pronouncements, and implement necessary changes to accounting practices.

● Serve as the College's technical liaison with county offices of education, retirement systems, and professional accounting/payroll organizations to clarify or resolve operational accounting, budget, and payroll questions.

● Develop and produce timely and accurate fiscal reports as required by federal, state, and local agencies including the CCFS 311 Report, the Enrollment Fee Revenue Report, and the 50 Percent Compliance Report.

● Administer and maintain the College's financial information systems in support of accounting, finance, and reporting functions.

● Serve as the system administrator for the College's travel and expense management system (e.g., Concur), including workflow configuration, general ledger account mapping, approval hierarchy setup, and user access management.

● Coordinate and develop systems for monitoring federal and state grants and projects to assure legal compliance.

● Coordinate with the College's external auditors throughout the annual audit process, and serve as the primary point of contact for audit-related requests and documentation.

● Analyze audit reports, prepare written responses, and develop and implement any modification to accounting systems.

● Compile and prepare supporting financial data and materials for Board of Trustees agenda items and presentations as needed.

● Assist with functions associated with risk management.

● Oversee fixed asset and capital equipment inventory control processes, in coordination with Finance Division staff responsible for accounting and inventory functions.

● Maintain and update the College's purchasing and contracting policy manual, in coordination with Finance Division staff responsible for procurement functions.

● Directly supervise the Finance Division's classified accounting, payroll, and procurement support staff - currently the Accountant, Accounting Technician, Payroll Coordinator, and Procurement Coordinator, or their successor classifications - including recruiting, training, development, work assignment, and performance appraisal.

● Serve as the Chief Financial Officer's designee for defined Finance Division functions - including transfer/wire approvals, signature authority, and Board reporting continuity - during the Chief Financial Officer's absence or a vacancy in that position.

● Perform other related duties as assigned that support the objective of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

● Demonstrated higher-level critical thinking, problem solving, and analysis.

● Knowledge, experience, and abilities to perform the above listed responsibilities and functions in an efficient, effective, harmonious manner.

● Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and Financial Accounting Standards Board.

● Knowledge of general accounting procedures including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll processes and systems.

● Knowledge of payroll principles, practices, and systems, including CalSTRS and CalPERS retirement reporting.

● Ability to lead a monthly and annual accounting close process. 

● Knowledge of cash management and banking operations.

● Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations affecting community college accounting functions.

● Experience with enterprise resource planning systems and ability to select and implement data processing, storage, and reporting applications for accounting, budgeting, and auditing functions.

● Experience developing, implementing, and continuously improving a comprehensive system of internal controls, policies, and procedures.

● Ability to answer questions regarding financial, accounting, and purchasing procedures and related matters.

● Experience with accounting and auditing practices and terminology applicable to public sector accounting.

● Experience with budget practices and methods, preparation of financial statements, and comprehensive accounting reports.

● Experience coordinating annual fiscal audits, implementing audit recommendations, and developing and maintaining systems for internal audit controls.

● Ability to analyze, recognize, define, and correct accounting errors and misinformation. ● Experience establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working

● relationships with employee, business, and community representatives.

● Experience directing, supervising, training, motivating, and evaluating personnel.

● Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

● Ability to practice excellent work ethics and properly handle confidential information.

● Ability to exercise tact, patience, and courtesy in dealing with sensitive matters.

● Ability to work independently and confidentially with minimal direction.

● Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

● Ability to make clear and comprehensive reports and maintain complex records.

● Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions and coordinate and organize tasks.

● Experience completing work with many interruptions.

● Ability to operate a computer and appropriate software including scheduling, email, database management, word processing, spreadsheets and presentations.

● Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, staff and faculty. 

Minimum Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in accounting or a related field, and five to seven years of increasingly responsible accounting, budgeting, and/or finance experience.

● Experience in the field of education finance and/or administration.

● Experience in payroll accounting, processing, and compliance.

Desired Qualifications

● Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, or equivalent public-sector finance credential (e.g., Certified Government Financial Manager), preferred.

● Served for at least three years at a level equivalent to supervising staff in the operations of complex accounting, finance, budgeting, or a related field.

● Master of Business Administration, and/or Master of Public Administration and accounting experience in public education, including community college, preferred. 

Working Conditions and Travel

● Calbright College is a statewide online college where all instruction and support are done via various online technologies both in person and remotely. Calbright College has administrative offices in Sacramento available for use. When working remotely, employees should be able and willing to use digital communication tools as used by the college, and have the ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time. Although this is a primarily remote position, there may be instances in which you will be required to attend meetings or travel to in-person events.

● Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

● The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in Calbright College policies, procedures, and Title IX.

● Calbright College celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Individuals interested in advancing Calbright College’s strategic diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

● Requires the ability to function in a remote online instructional environment performing work of primarily a sedentary nature. Requires the ability to use hearing and speech to make presentations to groups and carry on conversations over the phone and in-person. Requires speaking skills to communicate with staff and students in one-on-one and small group settings, on the phone, and to distinguish sound prompts from various types of equipment. Requires near visual acuity to read printed materials and computer screens. Requires sufficient hand/arm/finger dexterity to retrieve work materials, operate a personal computer keyboard, and operate standard office equipment. Requires the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

● Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Calbright College provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Calbright College complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. 

Who We Are Calbright College is one of California’s newest community colleges – the first statewide, online campus designed to bridge the gap between employers with unfilled positions and students who don’t have either the time or money to attend a traditional school. Our mission is to increase economic mobility and close equity gaps for working adults who lack easy access to traditional forms of higher education by offering online, flexible, affordable skills-based programs that provide tangible economic value for both working adults and hiring managers.