Assistant Vice President of Finance & Controller

The mission of Goodwin University is to educate a diverse student population in a dynamic environment that aligns education, commerce, and community. Our innovative programs of study prepare students for professional careers while promoting lifelong learning and civic responsibility. As a nurturing university community, we challenge students, faculty, staff, and administration to fully realize their highest academic, professional, and personal potential.

Position Description Summary/Purpose:

Goodwin University seeks an experienced, mission driven leader who will be accountable for all facets of the Finance/Accounting/Business Office departments, including but not limited to: design of all financially-relevant internal controls and the associated policies and procedures, overseeing daily treasury and cash management operations, all vendor payments, financial reporting both on a GAAP basis and on a grant-reporting basis, consolidation of financial data for 10+ legal entities, and the successful completion of the annual audits (GAAP and State/Federal Single Audits). The individual will lead a highly-functioning team that works collaboratively across departments and business entities while also providing strategic leadership support to the executive team.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Leading a team of upwards to 13 full-time employees, ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures, developing their skill sets and knowledge bases, completing annual performance reviews and ensuring their career development
• Primary point of contact with external audit team, oversees the audit process, including all preparation of supporting data and documents
• Maintains financial reporting for all related business entities (10+) in coordination with the Senior Director of Finance throughout the year in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including the maintenance of any related policies, and maintains a strong knowledge of the changing accounting regulations
• Assists with the consolidated operating and capital budget processes across business entities while aligning the anticipated expenditures with the overall University strategic plan 
• Oversees the form 990 tax preparation process and coordinates deliverables across departments and business entities to support the ultimate federal and state tax submissions
• Ensures the timely issuance of monthly financial statements, for distribution to management, banking partners, and grant providers
• Lead the strategic integration, governance, and operational application of artificial intelligence across the Finance and Accounting functions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, insight generation, and decision support
• Analyzes and reports key financial trends to senior leadership team, provides timely information to support operational decision-making
• Interacts with key banking and vendor leadership partners to ensure the smooth operation of the business, including negotiation of contract terms for maximum financial benefit to the University
• Manages daily banking and treasury operations, including maintaining proper cash levels cross over 20+ different bank accounts at multiple banking institutions
• Oversees the processing of all federal financial aid drawdowns/refunds (approximately $40 million annually) in accordance with regulatory guidance
• Ensures the proper endowment accounting of the Goodwin Foundation holding over $16M of investments
• Oversees the accounts payables operations, ensuring timely payment of vendors, proper design of and adherence to all payment policies, and accurate 1099 reporting each year
• Oversees the magnet school finance operations, including the proper accounting for GAAP and Grant financial statements, the timely and accurate submittal of annual reports (ED111, ED114, ED141), and the timely reporting of significant financial matters to senior leadership across business entities
• Ensures proper accounting and financial operation of all University real estate activities
• Attends and provides support to CFO during all meetings of the Audit and Risk, Budget and Finance, and Investment Committees
• Posts and analyzes bi-weekly payroll data into the general ledger, for proper reporting of all payroll expenses, and ensures proper funding for each cycle
• Regularly produces high-quality ad-hoc reports and data to the CFO and other members of the University’s leadership team
• Conducts and oversees all accounting and financial reporting for the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education, an affiliated but separate non-profit organization

Other Functions: 

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates
• Attends multiple training sessions and conferences throughout the year to stay current on business, financial and accounting trends and regulations
• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Demonstrated commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity.
• Ability to attract, recruit, motivate, develop, and retain a high-performing staff while supporting the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging principles of the University
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, a collaborative style and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Demonstrates initiative and the ability to work effectively within stringent time constraints, including a willingness to work overtime and outside normal business hours
• Sound knowledge of US GAAP, Education sector regulations, non-profit entity requirements, and grant reporting guidance
• Working knowledge of Ellucian-Colleague
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Sound understanding of relevant technology for the industry
• Strong knowledge of HR and Labor regulations to properly manage employment matters with the assistance of the HR team

 

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required, with a relevant Master’s Degree strongly preferred.
• CPA certification, with public accounting experience strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, with at least 5 of those including supervisory experience.

Special Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s license and insured vehicle.

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

Work Environment	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3
Outdoor Weather Conditions	X
Work with fumes or airborne particles	X
Work near moving mechanical parts	X
Risk of electrical shock	X
Vibration	X

 

Physical Activity	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3
Standing		X
Walking		X
Sitting				X
Talking & Hearing				X
Using hands/fingers to handle/feel				X
Climbing or balancing	X
Bending, pulling, pushing		X
Driving		X

 

Lifting Requirements	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3
Up to 10 pounds		X
Up to 25 pounds		X
Up to 50 pounds	X
Up to 75 pounds	X
Up to 100 pounds	X
Over 100 pounds	X

 

Vision Requirements:

X Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

X Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and

spatial relationships)

___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Employee & dependent life insurance
• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
• PTO program
• Flexible work schedules

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Goodwin University and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by The University as the needs of The University and requirements of the job change.)