Assistant Financial Controller | Oakton Community College

Oakton Community College, a caring community of educators dedicated to excellence and learning, invites applications for Assistant Financial Controller (DFC-21)

A premier comprehensive community college, Oakton is 17 miles from downtown Chicago.  Oakton serves the near northern suburbs of Chicago with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie with buildings totaling over 700,000 square feet of space resting on 192 acres.  These campuses serve almost 10,000 students annually that are enrolled in over 82,000 credit hours of instruction.  This position will be based out of the Des Plaines campus. The College's Operating Funds' budget (Education and Operations & Maintenance Funds) for the academic year ending on June 30, 2021 amounts to $74.1 million.  The College has undertaken a five year, $68.5 million Master Plan which included the construction and recent opening of the 93,000 square foot Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers building on the Des Plaines campus.

The College is known for its academic innovations, commitment to serving students, solid financial position, and supportive environment for both students and employees. Oakton seeks an Assistant Financial Controller who is an innovative leader and who will continue a strong tradition of excellence.

Candidates with a commitment to working in a culturally competent environment are especially valued at Oakton.

We encourage applications from candidates who reflect the increasing diversity of Oakton's student body and community, enhance and promote engagement with other cultures, and have demonstrated a commitment to working with and as part of a multicultural faculty and diverse student body and community.

Job Description:

Basic Function and Responsibility:

The Assistant Financial Controller is responsible for directing the daily functions of Bursar/Accounts Receivable and accounting, which includes general ledger, accounts payable, fixed assets and depreciation, property taxes, debt, and bank account transfers, as well as, grant reporting and regulatory compliance. Develop and implement administrative and accounting procedures. Responsible for the overall management of grant accounting and compliance in the post award phase, which includes grant contract procedures, accounting and reporting, and compliance for the College's grant portfolio. Interprets and implements rules and regulations to ensure compliance and proper use of grant and contract funds.     

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight in the maintenance of a complete and systematic set of records of all financial transactions of the College. Assume responsibility for all Budget and Accounting Services department operations in the absence of the Controller.
   
• Evaluate, recommend, establish, and monitor business process enhancement efforts including financial policy recommendations to improve financial operations, internal controls, and customer service.
   
• Lead and manage the accounting, payables, and Bursar teams including strategy implementation, ongoing operations, skill maintenance and growth, coaching, feedback, and talent development.
   
• Prepare analysis for the property tax levy, and maintains all tax levy schedules. Complete the reconciliation of the levy receipts and proper allocation across funds.
   
• Monitor cash flow projections and evaluate investment options for the College. Maintain a continuous audit of all cash and investments and ensure the College is in compliance with cash and investment policies and procedures.
   
• Responsible for monitoring and proper reporting of debt; process wire transfers for bond payments.
   
• In collaboration with the Controller, direct the annual independent audit and other compliance audits, including preparation of supporting documentation, workpapers, schedules and account analysis for audit purposes.
   
• Responsible for the overall management of post-award grant accounting and compliance, which includes grant contract procedures, accounting and reporting, and compliance for the College's grant portfolio.
   
• Oversee the fiscal administration of all federal, state and private source grant programs including the formulation, interpretation and implementation of accounting procedures to comply with government regulations, donor requirements and college policies. Act as primary liaison with program monitors.
   
• Prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the Single Audit.
   
• Represent the College and the Budget and Accounting Services department by serving on various administrative committees and coordinate administrative tasks within the department as requested by the Controller.
   
• Oversee the preparation of regulatory reporting and provide Federal and State regulatory guidance.
   
• Reviews recently issued GASB pronouncements and implementation guidelines to determine financial impact to the College, if any, and recommends new or revisions to existing College policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
   
• Responsible for effective risk management actions regarding knowledge retention, transfer & sharing, cross training, and operations continuity.
   
• Perform related duties and special projects as assigned by the College's senior leadership team. 
   
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired is necessary.
   
• CPA certification.
   
• Seven (7) years of public accounting experience in government or not-for-profit organizations.
   
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
   
• Prior experience with grant and regulatory compliance, and must demonstrate fiscal responsibility.
   
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite. Intermediate level of word processing (Microsoft Word preferred) and advanced spreadsheet application (Microsoft Excel preferred) skills are required.
   
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively with a diverse population, courteous, dependable, and personable with strong verbal and written communication skills.
   
• Ability to function in a team environment and possess strong leadership skills. In depth analytical and problem solving skills utilizing logical business judgement.
   
• Demonstrate ability to promote an inclusive environment that reflects the broad diversity and backgrounds represented by our students and employees and which every individual feels respected and valued.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Related Master's degree.
   
• Experience with Ellucian Banner or other higher education focused ERP software.
   
• Financial auditing experience including Single Audit.
   
• Possess working knowledge of federal regulations regarding fiscal management of federal funds in accordance with OMB Circulars.
   
• Experience in a community college or similar setting.
   
• Experience with an ERP implementation.
   
• Normal office physical demands.
   
• Duties are performed indoors in the usual office.

Physical Demands:

Mobility to move from building to building on-Campus. Work is performed in a general office environment and is sedentary in nature.  Little or no exposure to adverse working conditions.

Additional Information:

Supervision Received:

Administrative supervision is received from the Controller.

Supervision Exercised:

Administrative supervision is exercised over accounting staff, payables staff, the Bursar staff, and student employees.

SALARY: Low: $95,048; Midpoint: 125,966; High: $156,880