Comptroller

Jackson State University

$75K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
  • Master's degree (MBA or Public Administration) is preferred.
  • Must have a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, with eligibility to obtain reciprocity in Mississippi expected within 12 months.
  • At least five years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management, including two years in a supervisory role.
  • Experience in nonprofit accounting and fund accounting is required, with responsibilities including financial statement preparation and audits.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee and manage all financial operations, accounting functions, fiscal controls, and compliance activities.
  • Ensure that financial management practices align with the fiduciary responsibilities of the JSU Development Foundation.
  • Maintain the integrity of all financial records and prepare financial statements for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop and enforce internal controls, manage audits, and ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Provide financial intelligence to guide decision-making and manage the Foundation's assets transparently.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Retirement and deferred compensation plans.
  • Flexible spending accounts and life insurance.
  • Long-term disability coverage.
  • Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday policies.
Full Job Description
Location : JSU Main Campus, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
College/Division: Institutional Advancement
Opening Date: 07/16/2026

Description
The Division of Institutional Advancement is accepting applications for its Comptroller position.
This position is responsible for providing day-to-day oversight and management of all financial operations, accounting functions, fiscal controls, and compliance activities. This position supports the financial operations of the JSU Development Foundation and its Board of Directors under management of the Executive Director of the Foundation, ensuring that financial management practices align with the fiduciary responsibilities, strategic goals, and legal obligations of the Foundation.
Examples of Duties
  • The Comptroller of the JSU Development Foundation reports to the Deputy Director for Foundation Finance & Compliance.
  • They are a member of the JSU Development Foundation unit within the Division of Institutional Advancement.
  • This position is responsible for providing day-to-day oversight and management of all financial operations, accounting functions, fiscal controls, and compliance activities.
  • This position supports the financial operations of the JSU Development Foundation and its Board of Directors under management of the Executive Director of the Foundation, ensuring that financial management practices align with the fiduciary responsibilities, strategic goals, and legal obligations of the Foundation.
  • The Comptroller is responsible for the integrity of all financial records, the preparation and presentation of financial statements, the development and enforcement of internal controls, and the management of audits, tax filings, and regulatory compliance.
  • This role serves to provide accurate, timely, and actionable financial intelligence to guide institutional decision-making and steward the Foundation's assets with the highest degree of transparency and accountability.
  • The Comptroller partners closely with the university's Finance and Development offices, external auditors, legal counsel.


Typical Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
  • A Master's degree in Accounting, Business Administration (MBA), or Public Administration is strongly preferred.
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure is required. Active CPA license in the State of Mississippi, or eligibility to obtain reciprocity, is expected within twelve (12) months of hire
  • Minimum of five (5) years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management role.
  • Demonstrated experience in nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, or higher education finance, with direct responsibility for financial statement preparation, audit coordination, and tax compliance.
  • Experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors or Finance Committee, including preparation and presentation of Board-level financial reports.
  • Experience managing endowment funds, restricted gifts, and investment portfolios in a nonprofit or foundation setting is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with IRS Form 990 preparation and nonprofit regulatory compliance is required.
  • Experience with CRM Advance, Banner Finance, or comparable enterprise financial management software is preferred.
  • Demonstrated commitment to transparency, integrity, and sound stewardship of philanthropic and institutional resources.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with active licensure in Mississippi at time of hire.
  • Experience as a Controller, Comptroller, or Chief Financial Officer in a university foundation, nonprofit foundation, or higher education institution.
  • Familiarity with NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) standards and best practices.
  • Experience with investment manager selection, performance evaluation, and Investment Policy Statement administration.
  • Knowledge of planned giving vehicles, including charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, bequests, and life insurance gifts, and their proper accounting treatment.
  • Experience implementing or upgrading accounting systems or ERP platforms in a nonprofit or higher education context.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees, including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for the complete benefits package.

To learn more details, visit our
01

Can you, if hired, provide proof of education?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?
  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Specialist degree
  • Ph.D
  • G.E.D.
  • Juris Doctorate

03

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship to work in the United States?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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