Alumni Development & University Advancement Office: Controller
Job Information
POSITION: A full-time position is available in the Alumni Development & University Advancement Office beginning October 21, 2024. The working title for this assignment is Controller with the official title of Controller. This is a position classified as Limited, however is expected to continue. The expected hiring salary will be based on qualifications and experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, from an accredited institution is required. Ten plus years of accounting experience, including Controller type experience, and prior supervision experience is required. The candidate must have strong communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively internally and with external stakeholders. Must have the ability to be diplomatic and get along well with others. Must be proficient on the computer including Microsoft Office, financial software, and the ability to quickly learn new software. Must have the ability to deal with and maintain confidential information.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A CPA is preferred, but not required. Experience working for a non-profit is preferred, including experience with fund accounting. Experience working at a Foundation, as well as software experience with Raisers Edge, Financial Edge, and QuickBooks is a plus.
DUTIES:
Basic Function and Responsibility
Reporting to the President, the Controller is responsible for developing and implementing fiscal management and reporting strategies throughout the organization. This broad position provides leadership and guidance to both the President and the board of directors in all areas of financial management, accounting, financial reporting, audits, tax filing, budget/forecast preparation, and internal controls.
This includes oversight of investment portfolio performance, administration of real estate operations, maintaining and improving upon the operating performance of UWECF and its related entities, and serving as liaison to external auditors, tax preparers, and the Foundations OCIO.
This role supports the rest of the UWECF staff by providing the direction, guidance, and oversight necessary to ensure the Foundation has the appropriate strategies, operational controls, reporting procedures, and infrastructure in place to support the gift processing, development, donor stewardship and recognition, stakeholder relations and database needs while maintaining and ensuring financial strength and operational efficiency.
This position has 1- 3 direct reports. Following is a summary of responsibilities and the approximate time requirements:
| 25% | Management: This position serves as the primary reviewer and approver of routine/semi-routine transactions. Provide oversight over the processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, expense reimbursement, assignment of accounting codes and transaction validity and accuracy (auditing). Monitor encumbrance balances, resolution of financial errors, and generation and reconciliation of reports. |
| 20% | Reporting: Create operating budgets, financial forecasts, dashboards, fiscal health and performance metrics, tax filings, and all other financial reporting. Generate reports required/requested both through collaboration with relevant staff leadership and Foundation board committee/subcommittee groups. Provide and communicate dashboards and metrics to assist in monitoring effectiveness of fundraising, investment endeavors, and crafting visual representations to chart progress over time. |
| 20% | Financial Statements and Audit: Perform month-end, quarter end, and year end close, and produce the monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, both on an unconsolidated and consolidated basis using Blackbaud (Financial Edge) software. Coordinate with the independent audit team and organizational personnel to ensure audits run smoothly, are completed in a timely manner, and any issues are resolved. |
| 20% | Related-Entity Operations: Handle accounting duties for designated supporting organizations of the Foundation, including Blugold Real Estate Foundation, it¿s component entities (Haymarket, GTNT, Water St., Priory), and the student-run organization, Blugold Roast Coffee. |
| 10% | Supervision: Supervise direct reports including student intern in all day-to-day accounting entries and operations. This includes reviewing journal entries, monitoring completion of assignments, and providing guidance when needed. Provide instruction to the gift entry team and scholarship team when an accounting perspective needed. |
| 5% | Other Special Projects: As assigned or requested by the President. |
THE UNIT: The Foundation is an independent, tax-exempt non-profit that provides support for academics, culture, facilities and athletics to continue the tradition of excellence at the University of Wisconsin ¿ Eau Claire and to act as an advocate between the University and the broader community.
The unit consists of 27 colleagues focused on and committed to the proactive engagement of alumni and friends in supporting the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. This includes annual, major, and planned giving programs to effectively generate private resources for the University's benefit. The staff includes development officers who work in areas cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni and friends of the University. The unit works on effectively communicating and engaging the more than 98,000 alumni and more than 10,000 annual donors to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. For more information go to: https://foundation.uwec.edu/
This is a broad position that provides an excellent opportunity to join in supporting the mission! This role offers a great work environment that includes working hard but with a focus on work-life balance and an excellent benefits package that is equivalent to about 60% of an employee's base pay and includes medical, dental, pension, vacation, sick time and paid Holidays.
This position is a great fit for someone with 10+ years of experience as well as someone with extensive experience who is about 10 years from retiring and is excited to support the mission.
UNIVERSITY and EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY: UW-Eau Claire, ana institution of approximately 9,000 students and 1,200 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as a top comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. We strive for excellence in liberal education and select graduate and professional programs through commitment to teaching and learning and dedication to our core values of diversity, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. The City of Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, is at the center of a metropolitan area of approximately 100,000 people located 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The area features beautiful parks and trails, strong public schools, a vibrant arts scene and local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applications are submitted electronically. Please follow instructions found on the following UW-Eau Claire Website: https://www.uwec.edu/job-postings/ . You must create an account and login before you can apply. If you have not yet registered, click on the "Click here to Register" link to begin the registration process. If you are already a registered user, input your "Username" and "Password" and select "Login." Click the link to the Alumni Development & University Advancement Office: Controller position (Job ID # 21257) and then click the "Apply Now" button to submit your application electronically. Your application will not be considered complete until all required documents are attached, and all required fields are completed. Please be sure you have included the following in PDF format:
- Letter of application
- Resume
- Unofficial graduate school transcript [if applicable]
- Names and contact information for three references.
Please direct requests for additional information to: Curtis Krizan, UW-Eau Claire Foundation President, krizancj@uwec.edu
To ensure consideration, completed applications must be received by 10/4/2024. However, screening may continue until the position is filled. The university reserves the right to contact additional references with notice given to the candidates at an appropriate time in the process. Employment will require a background check. Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).
The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working. Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is limited, the University Police want students, faculty and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime. The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working. Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is limited, the University Police want students, faculty, and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime. Visit Campus Security and Fire Report (2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report_UW_Eau Claire.pdf (uwec.edu). Also visit Clearly Report and Safety Information (Clery Report and Safety Information | UW-Eau Claire (uwec.edu)).
UW-Eau Claire is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disability employer