Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
Seven years of experience in finance, accounting, or budget management.
At least three years of supervisory experience.
Expert knowledge of GAAP and government accounting standards.
Strong financial skills with a proven ability to manage budgets and support data-driven decisions.
Responsibilities
Design and implement financial systems and processes aligned with the university's mission.
Ensure compliance with regulations and timely reporting.
Lead and supervise various financial services including accounting and payroll.
Plan and administer the university's financial operations and resource allocation.
Prepare annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
Benefits
Commitment to professional development and team support.
Opportunity to influence strategic financial planning.
Engagement with key stakeholders and external entities.
Focus on customer service and high standards of care.
Full Job Description
Salary: Depends on Qualifications Location : York County, SC Job Type: FTE - Full-Time Job Number: Agency: Winthrop University Opening Date: 10/12/2026 Closing Date: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Agency Specific Application Procedures:: To apply go to https://winthrop.peopleadmin.com/postings/23068. Class Code:: UC61 Position Number:: 2027035S Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00) Pay Grade: Unclassified Hiring Range - Min.: $144,458.00 Hiring Range - Max.: $144,458.00
Job Responsibilities
Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs, the Associate Vice President/Controller (AVP/C) provides fiscal leadership and strategic oversight of financial accounting, university business and budgeting processes, and control compliance.
Designs and implements systems and processes based on best practices to support the university's mission and strategic plan;
Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and the timely submission of internal and external reports;
Fosters a commitment to continuous improvement and outstanding service and works to strengthen collaboration across campus and with external constituencies; and
Provides supervisory leadership to accounting services, accounts payable, budget services, payroll services, post-award management and student financial services.
Financial Operations Leadership and Compliance
Plans, directs and administers the university's financial operations, including accounting, post award management, accounts payable, payroll, fixed-asset accounting, resource planning and allocation, budget management, purchasing, P-Card administration, risk management, cash management, cashiering, student billing and accounts receivable.
Builds and maintains effective, high-functioning, cross-relational teams within the fiscal operations units.
Anticipates and leads change with understanding; considers various perspectives and uses appropriate tools to make informed changes and implement them effectively and efficiently.
Establishes and maintains policies, procedures, systems and internal controls that are based on best practices, support the university's strategic plan and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
Anticipates changes in laws, rules, regulations and standards affecting higher education and ensures compliance accordingly.
Works with Information Technology to ensure that applicable ERP modules are updated, tested and functioning as intended.
Financial Planning and Reporting
Maintains accounting control over all of the university's financial accounts and ensures the integrity of financial data.
Prepares the university's annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
Meets external reporting requirements and deadlines, including but not limited to, those mandated by federal and state regulations, the IPEDS Survey and the Board of Trustees.
Works with the Budget Office to develop annual budgets and calculate and negotiate the university's F&A and fringe benefit rates.
Oversees the annual audit and serves as the point of contact for any institutional audit.
Provides ad hoc analysis and reporting.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
Fosters a culture of customer service and high standards of care.
Prepares long-range financial, organizational and capital project plans and advises on their impacts.
May serve as delegated authority to liaise with trustees, government and other external entities to perform relationship management and enhance data flow and communication.
Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building
Understands the needs of key customers and provides them with the financial and procedural information that allows them to make informed decisions and achieve their financial, strategic and operational goals.
Ensures a customer-service-oriented billing and collection system for student accounts and deposit system for all university cash.
Develops training for internal customers related to accounting and budget systems.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
Seven years of experience in finance, accounting, budget management or related field.
At least three years of supervisory experience.
Experience leading annual financial statement preparation and managing audit requests or auditing financial statements.
Expert knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and government accounting standards and regulations.
Working knowledge of the taxes normally associated with a public institution of higher education.
Ability to interpret and apply complex guidelines, rules, and regulations.
Strong financial skills and proven ability to plan and manage operating and capital budgets and support a data-driven decision model.
Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically and develop a vision for long-range planning.
Proven leader and manager who knows how to motivate a team, support their professional development and create a productive work environment.
Exceptional communication skills and the ability to make effective oral and written presentations at the executive level.
Must be detail-oriented, possess exceptional time-management and organizational skills, and be committed to delivering work on assigned schedules.
Strong commitment to transparency, follow through, and customer service and the ability to monitor and evaluate service quality.
Familiarity with higher education operations and proficiency with ERP systems common to higher education.
Effective interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization.
Preferred Qualifications
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential.
At least five years of experience directing or managing fund accounting and working with GASB accounting and financial reporting standards and FASB reporting, preferably at an institution of higher education.
At least seven years of supervisory experience with a team.
Recent experience implementing or optimizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, business software, and/or business intelligence tools.
Additional Comments
To apply go to
Annual Salary/Hiring Range: $144,458; actual salary depends on qualifications.
Telecommuting: Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting/remote work at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with Winthrop policies.
