Associate Vice President and Controller Job at George Mason University
Associate Vice President and Controller
The George Mason University Department of Fiscal Services invites applications for an Associate Vice President and Controller. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.
About the Position:
The Associate Vice President and Controller reports to the Vice President of Finance, acting as deputy to the Vice President for Finance. The incumbent will lead a successful division responsible for managing the financial operations of Fiscal Services. The AVP/Controller will have responsibility for oversight of financial reporting, accounting operations, and developing and promoting fiscal policies and procedures that support excellent customer service and continuous process improvement. The Fiscal Services team reporting through the AVP/Controller include Financial Reporting, General Accounting, Student Accounts, Payroll, Revenue/Cost Accounting, International Tax, Data Analysis, and Program and Initiatives Management. In addition, this position will have the opportunity to collaborate with senior campus leaders on special projects requiring financial and accounting expertise, focused on transparency, accountability and innovation to deliver operational excellence.
The AVP/Controller will have responsibility for leading business transformation through process improvements, automation initiatives and implementation of a financial framework to support strategic financial reporting and analysis. The AVP/Controller will be relied upon to provide data analysis and key metrics to inform university decision-making, and will be required to periodically brief senior leadership and the Board of Visitors. This position requires leading projects and collaborating with both administrative and academic stakeholders throughout the university. The successful candidate will be diplomatic and team focused with strong integrity; and will be a good listener with the fortitude to make decisions that balance responsible stewardship with entrepreneurship.
Responsibilities:
The George Mason University Department of Fiscal Services invites applications for an Associate Vice President and Controller. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.
About the Position:
The Associate Vice President and Controller reports to the Vice President of Finance, acting as deputy to the Vice President for Finance. The incumbent will lead a successful division responsible for managing the financial operations of Fiscal Services. The AVP/Controller will have responsibility for oversight of financial reporting, accounting operations, and developing and promoting fiscal policies and procedures that support excellent customer service and continuous process improvement. The Fiscal Services team reporting through the AVP/Controller include Financial Reporting, General Accounting, Student Accounts, Payroll, Revenue/Cost Accounting, International Tax, Data Analysis, and Program and Initiatives Management. In addition, this position will have the opportunity to collaborate with senior campus leaders on special projects requiring financial and accounting expertise, focused on transparency, accountability and innovation to deliver operational excellence.
The AVP/Controller will have responsibility for leading business transformation through process improvements, automation initiatives and implementation of a financial framework to support strategic financial reporting and analysis. The AVP/Controller will be relied upon to provide data analysis and key metrics to inform university decision-making, and will be required to periodically brief senior leadership and the Board of Visitors. This position requires leading projects and collaborating with both administrative and academic stakeholders throughout the university. The successful candidate will be diplomatic and team focused with strong integrity; and will be a good listener with the fortitude to make decisions that balance responsible stewardship with entrepreneurship.
Responsibilities:
- Ensures the accuracy and timeliness of the University’s financial reports. Production of quarterly financial statements and collaboration with Office of Strategic Budget and Planning on forecasts, including analytical review of results;
- Provides university leadership, schools, and departments with accurate and timely financial reports and data to support strategic decision-making and facilitate operational review;
- Analyzes and makes recommendations for application of generally accepted accounting principles within the University’s financial reporting and accounting environment and in accordance with GASB; monitors regulatory environment to plan for and communicate impact;
- Provides accessible, meaningful management reports and analyses, and leads ongoing efforts to significantly improve the accessibility, quality, and usability of financial information;
- Leads development and monitoring of performance measures to assess financial health, and quantify resource needs and acceptable risk levels for strategic decision making and benchmarking to peer institutions for standard measures;
- Provides strategic thinking and leadership to improve financial policies, systems, and processes, improving service delivery, reducing costs, and maintaining effective controls;
- Ensures fiscal policies, procedures and internal controls are based on finance and industry best practices to support university strategic goals; Create, interpret and apply policies and procedures and approve exceptions within limits of authority.
- Oversees all financial audits of the University, primarily the annual external audit and preparation of financial statements;
- Coordinates and prepares materials for relevant committees of the Board of Visitors, including audited and unaudited financial statements and explanations of transactions and variances, as well as University tax returns;
- Oversees the calculation, proposal, and negotiation process with Office of Naval Research (ONR), the University’s cognizant agency, for the Facilities and Administrative (F&A) and Fringe Benefit Rates for sponsored projects;
- Leads program initiatives, project management and Mason enterprise service roadmaps planning, managing compliance, reporting and other impacts as part of business transformation;
- Oversees University compliance with unrelated business income tax reporting, international tax, and sales tax research and reporting;
- Oversees University-wide training and communication regarding accounting and internal control and provides timely training to all University personnel who initiate accounting transactions;
- Interface and collaborate with other areas of the university such as the Office of Sponsored Programs, Provost, Internal Audit, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, and HR;
- Serves on several university committees, including Data Governance, Space Working Group, and leading Recharge Committee; and
- Serves on the boards of or otherwise supports affiliated organizations such as the INTO GMU, George Mason Research Foundation and Mason Global Pathways, LLC.
Required Qualifications:
- Extensive relevant experience (generally obtained in 15+ years), including experience (generally of 10+ years) in a senior management role within a large complex organization;
- Master’s degree in accounting or related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience;
- CPA certification;
- Demonstrated financial analysis, modeling and dashboard experience;
- Demonstrated experience in Board presentations and engagement;
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute programs in support of an organization’s vision and strategy;
- Strong leadership, organizational and planning skills with the ability to influence, collaborate and negotiate; and
- Demonstrated experience and successful track record in mentoring staff to progress in their own career development.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with FASB/GASB accounting standards review, impact assessment and implementation;
- Experience writing fiscal policies and procedures and interpreting state and federal regulations;
- Ability and willingness to function in place VP for Finance during absences;
- Previous experience working for a large research university;
- Experience in leading F&A Cost Proposal negotiation;
- Medical School or Medical Enterprise experience;
- Higher education experience is preferred; and
- Readiness and desire to grow into greater professional responsibility.
For full consideration, applicants must apply at
https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.
Mason is assisted in this search by Fahrenheit Advisors. Nominations, applications, and inquiries are being accepted for the position. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must electronically submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references. All candidate information will be held in strict confidence. Confidential electronic inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Fahrenheit Advisors at recruiting@fahrenheitadvisors.com .
For Full Consideration, Apply by: 03/06/2023
Mason is assisted in this search by Fahrenheit Advisors. Nominations, applications, and inquiries are being accepted for the position. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must electronically submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references. All candidate information will be held in strict confidence. Confidential electronic inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Fahrenheit Advisors at recruiting@fahrenheitadvisors.com .
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