Controller

Controller

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

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Forecasts short-range cash requirements and obligations, as a basis for maintaining adequate funds.
• Executes cash disbursements for payment of expenditures of accounts payable, debt, and payroll in accordance with disbursement and accounting policies.
• 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.
• 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.
• Continually reviews accounting systems for appropriate information, accuracy, and controls. Ensures that accounting systems comply with appropriate regulations and data transfer requirements.
• Reconciles fund balances with the County Treasurer and County Office of Education. Reconciles financial aid fund balances.
• Serves as the designated accounting officer and contact for state, special fund, and private auditors.
• 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.
• Serves as primary Banking Liaison for all District banking needs. Reviews existing banking services and makes recommendations for changes or additions of new services.
• 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.
• 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.
• Oversees the maintenance of chart of accounts for all funds in accordance with the Budget and Accounting Manual.
• Performs other related duties as assigned that support the objective of the position.
• Required to abide by all District policies and procedures including Board Policy 3050 – Code of Professional Ethics.