Controller

at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Job Opening Id: 49790

Department: Office of Financial Operations
Salary/Grade: EXS/16

 

Job Summary: 

The Office of the Controller is responsible for the accounting and financial reporting of Northwestern University, providing a wide range of financial services on behalf of and for the University community. Financial accounting and reporting duties at the University are complex and significant. Northwestern operates with annual expenses exceeding $3.0 billion, total investments in excess of $14.0 billion (representing one of the largest endowments in the country), more than $1.0 billion in research awards, and total long-term debt outstanding of $2.4 billion. The University has more than 23,000 students enrolled in 12 colleges and schools on three campuses. Its fiscal year ends August 31.

The Controller’s Office works diligently as a team to cultivate a positive culture and mindful work environment.  Its scope of work directly supports the education and research mission of the University, while also ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. A mindset of stewardship, professional excellence, and a customer-service orientation are valued across the team. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Finance, the Controller oversees key accounting and reporting functions. The Controller supervises the following units, which altogether employ 19 professionals and staff:

Accounting Services – performs the central accounting and financial reporting functions and transaction management across all expense and revenue categories within the University’s PeopleSoft financial system. Duties also include contributions to develop, prepare, and review planned and ad hoc analyses and forecasts provided to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees

Depository Services –  provides general oversight of departmental bank deposits, cash receipt ticket creation, and credit card use in 100+ campus locations. It also manages the stored value card program, allocates electronic payments received university-wide, and oversees all petty cash accounts

Financial Operations IT – provisions access for the University’s administrative systems and provides other support functions including bank access administration, chart of accounts processing, etc. 

The Controller serves as the principal deputy to the Assistant Vice President for Finance (AVP), representing the AVP as necessary, and contributes to several cross-functional initiatives to enhance the delivery of financial services across the University. These initiatives involve collaborations with other central units, including Northwestern Informa