University Controller

Job no: 560708
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Monterey Bay
Categories: Executive, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Classification: Administrator III
Hours: Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA: Exempt

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $12,807 - 14,229* mo.
CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.

Priority Screening Date: August 26, 2025
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled

PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Associate Vice President for Finance, the University Controller provides leadership for the university's core financial, transactional, and compliance functions, with a strong mandate to modernize operations, lead enterprise change, and leverage technology to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery. This role oversees general accounting, accounts payable, and financial reporting. The University Controller serves as the university's chief steward of financial integrity while acting as a change leader responsible for transforming financial operations into a streamlined, data enabled, customer centric organization. The University Controller is primarily responsible for ensuring accurate financial records and timely reporting to the Chancellor's Office, leadership, and AVP for Finance. The Controller formulates controls to ensure stewardship of assets and works collaboratively with campus stakeholders to provide core business services in alignment with senior leadership initiatives and the University's mission and goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Responsible for meeting CSU accounting requirements to record and report the University's financial transactions, overseeing the preparation of the campus financial statements and reports, ensuring that fiscal operations meet CSU and campus policy requirements, and managing the general ledger and operating ledger operations of the campus financial system, including the chart of accounts.
2. Supervises the MPP, lead, and other key personnel in each area (general accounting, financial reporting/tax). Strategically structure the management and accounting staff work to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Manage talent of managerial and accounting staff to develop individuals and the team. Inspire performance through goal setting, mentoring, monitoring achievement and recognition of outcomes. Build the team through a positive work environment, effective peer collaboration, and advocacy with leadership.
3. Responsible for planning, directing, overseeing and certifying all year end financial reporting activities including timely GAAP financial statements, work papers, external audits, and related financial year end close activities.
4. Work cooperatively with internal and external auditors.
5. Oversee all maintenance aspects of the University's finance systems, ensuring, timely and accurate reconciliation of all finance system accounts, timely and accurate financial reporting, and effective internal controls are in place and being adhered to.
6. Interpret and stay current on campus, CSU, GASB, FASB, federal and state regulations, guidelines, policies and mandates that relate to the campus accounting functions. Implement all relevant accounting pronouncements based on these regulations and guidelines.
7. Oversee the preparation and distribution of campus financial reports and statements, as appropriate, including those for the total campus as well as for Federal, State, and gift funds and for auxiliary and service enterprises.
8. Safeguard the University's resources and monitor controls to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.
9. Responsible for developing and administering policies and procedures for all funds including State general funds, special funds, capital outlay funds, enterprise funds and trusts.
10. Responsible for analyzing financial activity for concurrence with state, CSU and campus fiscal policy and procedures, recommending corrections as needed and implementing services to new programs once approved.
11. Oversee the completion and implementation of audit recommendations working closely with the Chief Financial Officer and the AVP-Finance.
12. Develop and present: financial services training programs for campus departments and communicate campus policies and procedures.
13. Participates as a member of various University committees, teams, and work groups as assigned by the AVP for Finance or other senior level administrator. Examples may include Financial Statement Advisory Committee (FSAC), Accounts Payable Affinity Group, Travel Leads, etc.
14. Provide recommendations to management on short- and long-term financial objectives, policies, and actions.
15. Be a change agent championing best practices and efficiency in all areas of Finance.

Other Functions:

1. Participates in university task forces and special projects as required.
2. Performs other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply general accounting principles and procedures, including internal control principles. Thorough knowledge of principles of business management; general knowledge of techniques of personnel management; demonstrated supervisory abilities or strong evidence of the possession of such aptitudes and abilities; general knowledge of public finance.

Skilled in: planning and directing the work of subordinates at various skill levels. Must have ability to interpret and apply GASB, GAAP pronouncements, principles and policies. Must be able to work independently, be self-motivated, highly productive and a problem solver. Excellent leadership, collaborative approach, and communication skills with a commitment to quality service. Mindset toward continuous process improvement. Sensitivity to diverse customs and cultures.

Ability to: train and evaluate the productivity and performance of employees; analyze situations and take corrective action; maintain effective working relationships with administration, faculty, staff and all parties doing business with the department; communicate in a professional and effective manner, in both written and oral forms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration or closely related field AND seven years of progressively responsible accounting management experience, preferably in a higher education or non-profit setting, which includes at least three years of supervisory experience OR a combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Valid California CPA license preferred. Other professional certifications may be considered as a substitute. An advanced degree in Accounting, Tax, Business Administration or other related field is highly desirable. Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent information system; Microsoft Office Professional Suite, and Google mail and calendaring programs.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND POSITION DESIGNATIONS:

• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
• The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.
• The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position with:
  • access to, or control over, cash, checks, credit cards, and/or credit card account information
  • access to and responsibility for detailed personally identifiable Level 1 confidential information about students, faculty, staff or alumni that is protected, personal or sensitive as defined in the CSU Information Security Data Classification Standards.
  • control over campus business processes, either through functional roles or system security access
• This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The position is required to participate in training at the direction of the Clery Director and must also promptly report allegations of reportable crimes according to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, its accompanying regulations; the California State Education Code, Chapter 15.5, of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, Section 67380; and the California State University system-wide policy, Code EO 1107.
• May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. The position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

BENEFITS/PERKS:

This is a management-level position with an attractive benefits package, which includes: a vacation accrual rate of 16 hours per month; an excellent choice of medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability coverage; life insurance; educational incentives; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 14 paid holidays a year. For further information, please visit Employee Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit: https://csumb.edu/corporation/employee-housing

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

To receive full consideration, applicants must complete and submit the required online application by the priority screening date listed on the Careers at CSUMB website. Applications received after this date may be reviewed at the University's discretion. All submitted materials become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or emailing [email protected]

All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.