Controller / Director of Business Services Position Purpose The Controller will provide dynamic leadership and strategic oversight of the College's financial and accounting operations. The primary focus of this role is to modernize and restructure the Business Office, evaluating existing workflows to build a highly efficient, cross-trained, and modern service department. Acting as a close partner to the CFO/VP of Finance, this position will secure institutional assets, ensure rigid regulatory compliance, and support long-term financial sustainability through advanced data analysis, forecasting, and policy development.

Core Rebuilding & Restructuring Focus Department Modernization:

Continually evaluate Business Office workflows (accounts payable, procurement, student receivables, and cash receipts). Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements to increase operational capacity and campus-wide support.

Team Restructuring:

Assess current staffing roles and responsibilities. Establish training programs, design clear process documentation, and implement a robust cross-training matrix to ensure zero gap in critical daily coverage.

Policy & Control Overhaul:

Develop, publish, and enforce modern, GAAP-compliant internal controls and accounting policies from the ground up. Translate complex compliance rules into easy-to-understand procedures for non-financial campus personnel.

Technical & Operational Responsibilities Audit & Compliance:

Coordinate the fiscal year-end external audit. Prepare financial statements, debt service coverage analyses, and DOE ratio reporting. Present and translate complex audit findings directly to Senior Staff and the Board of Trustees.

Financial Reporting:

Produce standard GAAP year-end financial statements, quarterly bank compliance statements, and insightful monthly management reports detailing short- and long-term financial performance.

Treasury & Bond Management:

Oversee long-term cash projections, daily balances, lines of credit, and Federal funds drawdowns. Monitor, forecast, and report on bond covenants to mitigate institutional risk.

Specialized Higher Ed Accounting:

Unitize quarterly endowment fund gifts, create donor investment reports, manage pledge receivables (including discount modeling and collectability analysis), and handle grant/contract accounting.

Taxation & Governance:

Prepare and execute annual tax forms (990, 990T, W-3, 1098, 1099s). Actively participate in Board-level Audit, Investment, and Finance committee meetings.

Required Skills & Qualifications Education:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. CPA or MBA is highly preferred.

Experience:

7+ years of progressively responsible financial management experience in complex organizations, including a proven track record of supervising teams and spearheading process turnarounds.

Sector Knowledge:

Deep accounting experience in non-profit organizations required; Higher Education background highly preferred.

Software Mastery:

Demonstrated proficiency with Ellucian Banner (highly preferred) or a similar higher education ERP system alongside advanced MS Office skills.

Compliance & Soft Skills:

Working knowledge of FERPA regulations . Exceptional leadership capabilities, change management skills, and a professional, customer-service-driven communication style. Application Process Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of application, resume, and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references at https://hiram.wufoo.com/forms/apply-for-employment or send to HR@hiram.edu or apply through the provided link. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Hiram College is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. To apply, please visit: https://hiram.wufoo.com/forms/apply-for-employment je-5d7e1343b03c4041bc5920dc17ef7af9