What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controller position at Montana State University?
Montana State University is seeking an experienced and dynamic financial leader to serve as its Controller. This key leadership role is vital to maintain and expand the University’s multi-faceted mission of teaching, research, and service. The University Controller will collaborate with the internal Financial Services leadership as well as across campus constituencies.
Montana State University is a public, land grant university dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, and service. As Montana’s flagship institution, the university plays a critical leadership role for the State of Montana by contributing to the economic development and quality of life within its borders and beyond.
In March 2024, Standard & Poor’s upgraded our University’s bond rating to an AA-. Standard & Poor’s said our University has an “very strong” enterprise and financial profile, and called out our “impressive growth in cash and investments relative to operations and debt”, supported by “conservative fiscal management, growing grant revenue, increased state appropriations, and positive enrollment trends.”
We have attained this sound financial footing in conjunction with our strategic plan – Choosing Promise. This strategic plan ensures we can continue to educate our students and serve the State of Montana. We are committed to keeping high quality higher education accessible for resident students, providing exceptional student experience. The campus is home to approximately 17,000 students, 1650 faculty, and 2,300 staff
Duties and Responsibilities
- Supports the AVP on development of business processes to enhance efficiency and consistency across all of the Financial Services units.
- Directly supervises and maintains quality control of the following areas: accounts payable, travel, general ledger, purchasing card, debt service accounting, construction and fixed assets accounting, property management, credit card/ACH processing, accounts receivable, and inventory of fees.
- Coordinate the fiscal year end close and coordinate the preparation of the University’s annual financial statements and tax information provided to the state.
- Build relationships with colleagues at the affiliate campuses to ensure consistent application of best practices for revenue and expenditures to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Collaborate with departments internal to Financial Services and across the university to ensure compliance with policies and procedures while also communicating new/updated compliance requirements.
- Audit, update, create, and implement fiscal plans, and policies and procedures in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and industry best practices, staying up to date on new and pertinent reporting and tax releases.
- Provide expertise on external regulations, internal financial operations, and other matters pertaining to the financial operations of the University.
- Oversee all aspects of the general ledger such as control and management of the chart of accounts and preparation of consolidated financial reporting and analysis in coordination with the Director of Accounting.
- Instill a culture of continuous improvement for the unit and university as it relates to financial operations.
- Lead special projects as requested by the Associate Vice President and senior leadership.
- Provide leadership, development, and mentoring to three direct reports that lead the units of Financial Reporting & Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Student Accounts.
- Remain actively involved in professional activities that are relative to the position.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- CPA or MBA and progressively responsible experience in financial management in a large, complex organization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with financial management, financial reporting.
- Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP, GASB, federal and state funding regulations, and financial compliance.
- Experience in continuous improvement initiatives .
- Demonstrated experience leading, managing and supervising a large, diverse team.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures related to financial operations and accounting.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Experience in higher education or public sector accounting.
- Proficiency with data analysis, report writing software and advanced Excel skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to building a career within the organization, with a passion for contributing to the university’s sustained success.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, project management, problem recognition, and resolution skills.
- Possession of high professional standards and a personal code of ethics characterized by honesty, integrity, openness, and fairness.
- Develop and maintain collaborative and strong working relationships with a diverse range of personnel both internal and external constituencies as a service-oriented professional.
- Organize and prioritize heavy workloads, meeting a variety of simultaneous deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional approach.
- Exercise good judgment and make consistent decisions while working independently and effectively under minimal supervision.
- Communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrate the ability to see the big picture while maintaining accurate process controls.
- Ability to model and promote excellent customer service by proactively engaging with the University community and external partners.
- Demonstrate a commitment to quality with high attention to detail, performing detailed tasks with a high level of accuracy.
- Maintain confidentiality of records and sensitive information.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon successful completion of search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on April 11, 2025 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
