Controller

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Proudly standing as the nation’s oldest HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has been a stalwart and highly respected institution of higher education since our founding in 1837. For over 185 years our alumni have emerged as leaders and left their mark on the social, economic, and political history of Philadelphia, the surrounding region, the nation, and the world. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney University is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility.

Here at Cheyney, we value scholarship, diversity, integrity, respect, and service.

We are committed to maintaining a vibrant educational community that is dedicated to promoting scholarship and lifelong learning for its students, offering wide student access to resources to ensure an opportunity for all to acquire an education, encouraging freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination by ensuring a respectful environment, and provide outreach and service to external and constituent communities, demonstrating their understanding of the importance and value of service.

We’re looking for exceptional individuals who share our values, embrace our mission, recognize our potential, and covet the opportunity to continue to move our historic University forward.

CU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; generous retirement plans; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave, and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

Essential Job Functions

The primary function of the Controller is to assist the University in the continuous development of structures and processes that formalize and strengthen financial planning, resources, internal controls, and institutional effectiveness. The Controller is responsible for managing the University's core accounting operations and ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting. Responsibilities include oversight and coordination of general ledger accounting, financial reporting, capital projects, long-term obligations, fixed assets, payroll accounting, cash accounting, and other assigned accounting functions.

The Controller is responsible for coordinating the fiscal year-end close, supporting preparation of required financial reports, serving as a primary liaison with external auditors, and coordinating the annual financial statement audit. The Controller works closely with the Chief Financial Officer to ensure audit requirements, accounting standards, internal controls, and financial reporting requirements are incorporated into the University's accounting processes and systems. The Controller will also assist the Chief Financial Officer with financial oversight of Financial Aid, the Bursar's Office, and Grants Accounting; however, these functions will not report directly to the Controller. The Controller's role in these areas will focus on financial controls, reconciliations, accounting integrity, compliance, coordination, and related financial matters. The position participates in institution-wide initiatives and provides financial and accounting expertise to various levels of the organization.

Responsible for ensuring overall fiscal integrity and sound financial reporting. Maintains appropriate financial controls and accounting systems while supporting the financial stability of the University. Ensures compliance with applicable accounting and auditing standards and serves as a primary liaison for internal and external financial reporting and audit activities. Directly oversees the University's core accounting operations and accounting personnel, including general ledger accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, fixed assets, cash accounting, and other accounting functions assigned by the Chief Financial Officer. Assists the Chief Financial Officer with financial oversight of the Bursar's Office, Financial Aid, and Grants Accounting. This responsibility includes supporting reconciliations, financial controls, accounting treatment, reporting accuracy, compliance, and coordination between these areas and the University's accounting function. These departments and positions are not direct reports of the Controller. Provides accounting and financial guidance to the Grants Accountant as needed while maintaining the Grants Accountant's established reporting structure outside of the Controller's direct supervision. Works with the Chief Financial Officer in the development, documentation, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of financial policies, procedures, and internal controls. Responsible for coordination of external fiscal year-end financial audits. Serves as a liaison between external auditors and the University and coordinates the preparation of schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and other audit requirements. Reviews externally audited financial statements and reconciles reported information to the University's underlying financial records. Supports development and monitoring of the general operating budget and works with the Chief Financial Officer and appropriate University leadership to ensure accurate financial information is available for decision-making. Responsible for the preparation and presentation of necessary financial reports, schedules, reconciliations, and financial analyses. Responsible for the accurate and timely posting of transactions to the general ledger and for maintaining the integrity of the University's financial records. Maintains appropriate Position Budget Management processes and coordinates with Payroll and Human Resources as necessary to support accurate payroll accounting and personnel-budget activity.

Supervisory Responsibility

The Controller provides direct supervision and leadership for the University's Accounting function and assigned accounting personnel.

The Controller does not directly supervise Financial Aid, the Bursar's Office, or the Grants Accountant. Instead, the Controller works collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer and the leadership of those areas to provide accounting expertise, financial controls, reconciliation support, reporting assistance, and financial oversight.

This structure is intended to maintain appropriate financial coordination across Fiscal Affairs while establishing a manageable and sustainable span of control for the Controller.

Education, Training and/or Experience

A master's degree in business, accounting, finance, or a related discipline is preferred. CPA, CMA, CIA, or other relevant professional certification is also preferred. Demonstrated progressive professional experience in accounting, financial reporting, financial management, or related areas is required, along with the ability to manage complex financial operations and provide leadership to an accounting team. Strong customer-service orientation and the ability to work collaboratively across departments are essential.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, internal controls, and cost-control principles, including applicable accounting standards. Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems. Knowledge of applicable federal and state financial regulations. Strong ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, reconciliations, and projections. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Working knowledge of short- and long-term budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis. Proficiency with financial systems and Microsoft Excel. Strong professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and support accounting staff. Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects within established deadlines. Ability to work collaboratively with departments that are not within the Controller's direct reporting structure while maintaining appropriate financial accountability and internal controls

Cheyney University an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in