Assistant Controller

Closing Date:

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is a dynamic, mid-sized public university that's redefining higher education. We're on a mission to provide transformative, hands-on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds and aspirations. Our multi-faceted approach to education offers a wealth of opportunities, with over 70 academic programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. We're committed to building a diverse community that mirrors Arkansas's rich tapestry, reflecting our dedication to serving the state's varied population while enhancing the quality of our institution.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10 percent of employee salary.

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Nestled along the Arkansas River, this vibrant city offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Old West at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, explore the eclectic local art scene, or take a scenic stroll along the picturesque riverfront trails. With a welcoming community, diverse dining options, and a thriving downtown, Fort Smith is the ideal destination for history enthusiasts and those seeking modern amenities.

Thank you for your interest in joining our university. Below you will find details for the position including any supplementary documentation and/or questions you should review before submitting your application. For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at (479) 788-7080.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process please contact Human Resources at 479-788-7080. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position to which they have applied.

Required Education and/or Work Experience: Requires CPA or MBA or other related Master's degree and minimum of 7 years related experience or a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and 10 years of higher education accounting experience.

Preferred Education and/or Work Experience: Experience and working knowledge of Workday. Preference will be given to candidates with governmental accounting experience in higher education.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• 45% Reporting & Analysis

The Assistant Controller prepares and analyzes financial reports, complex institutional reports, and ad hoc reports for campus administrators, Chancellor's Office, Trustees, Legislators, state agencies, federal agencies, state auditors, internal auditors, and external organizations. This position also prepares certain schedules to support external and internal audits, performs data analysis, and prepares the annual financial statements in conformity with GAAP and accounting standards issued by GASB. The Assistant Controller responds to inquiries, interprets, and analyzes financial data to advise departments regarding financial matters. This position also coordinates special projects and reports as directed by the Controller.

• 15% Compliance

The Assistant Controller monitors all financial transactions and manages compliance reports processed in areas of responsibility to ensure institutional guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles, and federal and state regulations are met as well as researching complex accounting standards and recommending campus policy to implement them.

• 15% Accuracy & GL Maintenance

The Assistant Controller is primarily responsible for ensuring all sources and uses of funds are classified properly; and is responsible for preparing and reviewing complex journal entries to record and correct transactions in the general ledger. This position is responsible for maintaining the campus chart of accounts and associated reporting structures as a basis for all financial management information, and university general ledgers in accordance with GAAP and higher education industry practices. This position also establishes, implements, reinforces, evaluates, and maintains internal control systems to prevent inaccuracies in university financial information.

• 15% People, Customer Service, & Other

The Assistant Controller ensures that high quality customer service is provided in a professional manner to create and maintain positive working relationships with college customers, office personnel and others. An essential duty of this position requires the ability to create a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration, and to provide ongoing coaching to subordinates which is balanced, constructive, timely and contributes to an atmosphere of open communication and trust. This position represents the Controller and campus on accounting related matters when the Controller is unavailable and may serve in place of the Controller as requested. The Assistant Controller performs other duties as required or assigned.

• 10% Business Systems

The Assistant Controller supports users with knowledge of the enterprise resource planning system (ERP) as a power user of the system and assists in the management of its security access. This position plans for and assists in the implementation of new business systems including new technologies and system enhancements. The Assistant Controller performs essential testing and analysis in conjunction with software implementation and upgrades of the ERP and other integrated management systems.

Responsible for maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner to foster teamwork and by providing leadership to subordinates. Requires consistent on-time attendance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: To perform the job successfully, the following competencies are required for the essential functions of this position:

• The qualified candidate must be technically proficient in accounting, understand finance concepts, and have a strong working knowledge and expertise in financial accounting standards and reporting requirements to be able to prepare financial statements in compliance with GAAP and governmental accounting standards.
• The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written skills and the ability to communicate complex accounting matters to non-financial community members as well as collaborate with superiors, subordinates, peers, and constituents resulting in trust and free-flowing communication to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• The desired candidate will be a problem solver who is solution oriented with a forward-thinking perspective that embraces process improvement and demonstrates this openness and responsiveness to new ideas and change and can influence others likewise.
• The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with strong analytic, critical thinking, and research skills who establishes and adjust priorities that distinguish the time sensitivity of a project and make necessary adjustments in order to meet deadlines in a busy environment with an extreme attention to detail and accuracy, and to provide strong leadership and management skills to ensure the accuracy of University financial information and finances.
• The candidate must be able to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations of moderate complexity and implement them appropriately.

Additional Information:

Working Relationships: The Assistant Controller has frequent contact with university administrators, University of Arkansas System personnel, Arkansas Division of Higher Education personnel, peers at other colleges and universities, and personnel at regulatory agencies regarding financial data.

List Employees Supervised: The Assistant Controller currently has administrative responsibility for Accounts Payable and Travel, Accounting Services, and Accounts Receivable. Thirteen (13) staff positions exist under the Assistant Controller for the designated offices and departments. The University is assessing the existing organizational structure to ensure that the needs of the Institution are being met in an efficient manner. Job duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Controller and the staff reporting structure may be subject to future changes. This position will have the authority to hire/fire and to evaluate and/or discipline staff under their supervision.

Special Job Dimensions: Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Occasional extended walking on-campus may be required in association with meetings or financial operations in remote locations. Occasional travel is required. Extended hours are frequently required, particularly associated with the fiscal year-end.

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Sitehttps://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal background check, sex offender registry check, financial history background check, and/or drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.