Controller

POSITION: Controller

STATUS: Full-Time / Benefited / Salary / Exempt

COMPENSATION: $128,382.80 - $151,223.80 per year

DEPARTMENT: Chico State Enterprises

LOCATION: 25 Main St, Suite 103, Chico, CA 95928

RECRUITMENT ID: 485

RESIDENCY : Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

Chico State Enterprises (CSE) is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation serving as an auxiliary organization to California State University, Chico. CSE supports activities that aid and supplement the educational mission of CSU, Chico, including the administration of externally funded research, education, and public-service projects and fiscal administration of campus-related programs and activities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The controller is the senior accounting leader responsible for the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of Chico State Enterprises’ (CSE) financial accounting and reporting. The position directs the day-to-day accounting function and provides hands-on leadership for the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash and investments, reconciliations, financial reporting, audit coordination, budgeting support, and accounting controls. The controller ensures that CSE’s financial records and reports are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), applicable federal and state requirements, California State University (CSU) and Chancellor’s Office requirements applicable to auxiliary organizations, contractual obligations, and CSE policies and procedures.

As a key member of CSE leadership, the controller partners with executive leadership, Sponsored Programs, Human Resources, campus partners, auditors, banking and investment partners, and program/project administrators to maintain a strong control environment, improve financial processes, strengthen internal communication, and provide reliable financial information for decision-making.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified based on organizational needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Accounting Operations & General Ledger

• Lead and oversee daily accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, banking activity, journal entries, account reconciliations, fixed assets, prepaid expenses, accruals, deferred revenue, and other balance-sheet accounts.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and accounting structure to support accurate reporting across CSE operations, sponsored projects, campus programs, and other activities administered by CSE.
• Ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including review of reconciliations, adjusting entries, supporting schedules, and financial statement accounts.
• Review complex or unusual accounting transactions and determine appropriate accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP and applicable organizational requirements.
• Ensure subsidiary systems and supporting schedules reconcile to the general ledger, and investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.

Financial Reporting, Budgeting & Analysis

• Prepare, review, and/or oversee accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Provide financial reporting and analysis to executive leadership, the CSE Board of Directors and committees, and other stakeholders as requested.
• Support development, monitoring, and analysis of organizational budgets, forecasts, cash projections, and financial performance metrics.
• Analyze significant account variances, trends, unusual transactions, and financial risks and communicate findings and recommended corrective actions.
• Improve reporting processes so financial information is clear, consistent, useful, and appropriately supported.

Audit, Tax & External Reporting

• Serve as a primary accounting contact for the annual financial statement audit and coordinate schedules, supporting documentation, confirmations, and responses to auditor requests.
• Coordinate accounting support for the annual Single Audit and other federal, State, CSU, Chancellor’s Office, sponsor, or program-specific audits and reviews.
• Monitor audit findings, management recommendations, and corrective action items within the controller’s area and ensure timely remediation and documentation.
• Coordinate preparation and review of information needed for federal and State tax filings, information returns, regulatory reports, and other required financial submissions, working with external professionals as appropriate.
• Maintain audit-ready records and schedules throughout the year.

Internal Controls, Policies & Compliance

• Develop, maintain, document, and continuously improve accounting policies, standard operating procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and safeguards over cash receipts, disbursements, banking, purchasing and payment processes, accounting records, and financial system access.
• Assess accounting and financial-control risks and recommend practical controls that balance compliance, efficiency, and operational needs.
• Ensure accounting practices align with applicable GAAP, federal and State requirements, CSU/Chancellor’s Office guidance applicable to auxiliary organizations, CSE agreements, and internal policies.
• Partner with management to respond to internal or external compliance reviews and implement corrective actions.

Cash, Banking & Investments

• Manage and monitor organizational cash flow, banking activity, liquidity, and cash forecasting to support operational needs.
• Oversee bank reconciliations, authorized banking activity, electronic payments, positive-pay or similar fraud-prevention controls, and other treasury processes.
• Account for invested assets and investment activity, including reconciliation, earnings, realized and unrealized activity, and financial statement presentation.
• Coordinate with authorized banking and investment partners and provide management with information regarding cash and investment positions.

Sponsored Programs & Auxiliary Accounting

• Partner with Sponsored Programs leadership and staff to ensure sponsored-project accounting is appropriately integrated with CSE’s general ledger and financial reporting.
• Provide accounting oversight for grant and contract transactions involving revenue recognition, receivables, cash receipts, cost transfers, indirect cost recovery, and subrecipient or vendor payments.
• Support compliance with sponsor financial-reporting requirements and assist in resolving accounting issues identified through grant, contract, or Single Audit reviews.
• Provide accounting support for CSE-administered campus programs and other auxiliary activities, recognizing the differing reporting and compliance requirements of those activities.

Financial Systems & Process Improvement

• Provide functional leadership for accounting and financial systems, including system controls, workflow design, reporting, and data integrity.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes, reduce reliance on manual recordkeeping with spreadsheets, strengthen system-based controls, and improve timeliness and accuracy.
• Participate in implementation, testing, upgrades, and optimization of financial systems and related integrations.
• Develop standardized reconciliations, close checklists, reporting calendars, and other tools that create consistent and sustainable accounting practices.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Direct, supervise, coach, and develop accounting personnel and establish clear expectations, priorities, deadlines, and accountability.
• Partner with Finance & Accounting leadership to maintain an organizational structure and staffing model appropriate to departmental goals and responsibilities.
• Ensure appropriate cross-training, written procedures, and backup coverage for critical accounting functions.
• Promote a professional, service-oriented, collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment with strong internal communication.
• Partner with leadership on staffing, succession planning, recruitment, training, performance management, and retention within Finance & Accounting.
• Provide accounting guidance and training to CSE employees, project administrators, and other stakeholders as appropriate.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The controller supervises assigned Finance & Accounting staff and may oversee accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other financial functions. Responsibilities include work assignment and review, coaching and development, performance management, cross-training, and ensuring adequate coverage and segregation of duties.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including substantial experience with general ledger accounting, financial reporting, month/year-end close, budget development and analysis, and audit coordination.
• Prior supervisory or significant team-lead experience in an accounting or finance environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and demonstrated ability to research and apply accounting guidance to complex transactions.
• Experience with internal controls, account reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, budgeting/financial analysis, and accounting for investments.
• Advanced proficiency with financial and accounting systems and Microsoft Excel; ability to work effectively with Word, Outlook, and related business applications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, meet firm deadlines, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively across organizational boundaries.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation; or an MBA, Master of Accountancy, or related graduate degree.
• Experience in a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, higher education, CSU auxiliary organization, research foundation, or similar complex environment.
• Experience with sponsored programs, grants and contracts, including government, corporate, and foundation awards; federal awards; and Single Audit requirements.
• Experience supporting external financial statement audits, regulatory reviews, and implementation of audit recommendations.
• Experience with enterprise financial systems, system implementations, process automation, reporting tools, and data-driven process improvement.

Core Competencies:

• Financial stewardship and accountability
• Technical accounting and GAAP expertise
• Internal controls and risk management
• Audit readiness and regulatory compliance
• Analytical problem solving and attention to detail
• Leadership, coaching, staff development, and team retention
• Collaboration, customer service, and inclusive leadership
• Clear communication and sound professional judgment
• Process improvement and systems thinking
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, deadline-driven environment

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to successfully complete required background and fingerprint clearance prior to employment, when required by CSE policy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial, personnel, sponsored project and other sensitive information.
• Ability to provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States as required by law.
• Employment with Chico State Enterprises is at-will.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The controller routinely interacts with CSE executive leadership and staff; Sponsored Programs; Human Resources; CSU, Chico administrative and academic units; CSE Board and committee members; external auditors; financial institutions; investment professionals; governmental and sponsoring agencies; vendors; and other external partners.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Chico State Enterprises will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current Chico State Enterprises employee who was conditionally offered the position.

BENEFITS:

Benefits for employees working 30 hours or more per week include employer paid life insurance ($50,000) and long-term disability; options for health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; paid holidays including 1 personal holiday; vacation accrual(initially 10 days/year); sick leave accrual (up to 12 days/year); employer contributions to a 403(b)retirement plan (up to 8%).

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your application by November 5, 2026 , to be considered. Please apply via our recruitment firm Robert Half by accessing the link below:

Paper applications will not be accepted; however,Chico State Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity Employerand is happy to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants at any step of the application process. If you need assistance in this regard, or are having technical difficulties, please contact the Human Resources office at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io prior to 5:00 p.m. on the document deadline date. The employer is Chico State Enterprises, a nonprofit corporation serving as an auxiliary organization of California State University, Chico. Employment is considered to be at-will.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.