Inside Higher Ed
Associate Vice President & University Controller, Financial Operations
Inside Higher Ed, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Associate Vice President & University Controller, Financial Operations
Posted 11/19/2025 • Boston, MA, United States • Full‑time/Regular • Salary: $250,000.00–$300,000.00 (Grade 00).
Job Description Reporting to the Vice President, Financial Operations, the Associate Vice President & University Controller is responsible for maintaining accounting records of the University, providing accurate and timely financial reporting, ensuring protection of university assets through adequate internal controls, and implementing cutting‑edge technology while staying abreast of industry trends.
Key responsibilities include:
Overall leadership and direction of the accounting staff and operations, overseeing over 65 staff across Student Financial Services, Financial Accounting & Reporting, Tax Services, Payroll Services, Research Financial Operations, and Property Management.
Staff development, recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating personnel.
Review month‑end close reporting, prepare board committee presentations and routine/ad‑hoc financial analysis.
Prepare consolidated financial statements and footnotes in accordance with GAAP; liaise with external auditors and lead all external financial audits.
Establish internal control environment for financial information and accounting of university assets.
Act as committee member for subsidiaries, task forces, and working groups; collaborate with internal and external partners.
Major Duties Of This Position Include:
Responsible for staff development, including assisting managers in developing their teams. Direct reports include: Associate Controller, Payroll Services; Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services (SFS); Assistant Vice President of Financial Accounting & Reporting and Tax Services; Associate Controller of Research Financial Operations, including Grant and Miscellaneous Receivables, and Property Management.
Design, establish, and maintain an organizational structure and staffing to accomplish organizational goals; recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel.
Review month‑end close reporting to leadership; prepare monthly board committee presentations; prepare routine/ad‑hoc financial analysis and reports for senior leadership.
Oversee preparation of university's consolidated financial statements with footnotes and MD&A; liaise with external auditors and lead all external financial audits; serve as staff to the Board of Trustees' Audit Committee.
Responsible for establishing an internal control environment related to financial information and accounting for university assets.
Act as committee member for subsidiaries, related parties, task forces, and working groups; collaborate with internal and external partners.
Required Skills
CPA qualified and master’s degree (MBA, MSA or equivalent).
12+ years of experience in financial accounting management, preferably public accounting within higher education; last five years supervisory or managerial. Seven years audit experience in higher education with managerial responsibilities may also suffice.
Expertise in internal controls, compliance, and GAAP.
Strong communication, negotiation, influencing, critical thinking, collaboration, problem‑solving, and empathy skills.
Excellent analytical skills and experience with complex processes & systems; knowledge of report writing applications.
Success managing staff & office operations; strong leadership and team‑building skills.
Strong time management and planning skills to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to fast‑paced changes.
Self‑motivated, proactive, intellectually curious.
Preferred Skills
Extensive experience with SAP and/or other reporting tools, enterprise‑wide accounting software (Oracle, PeopleSoft, Banner, ERP), Campus Solutions, Microsoft Office Suite.
Benefits / Other Information Boston University's generous benefits package includes health, dental, life insurance, and paid time off. Full‑time employees are eligible for tuition remission for courses at Boston University, including dependents. For more details, see the BU benefits page at https://www.bu.edu/hr/employee-resources/benefits/.
Department of Financial Affairs values intellectual, cultural, and social diversity and is committed to inclusivity, equity, and a place where all can thrive. We encourage applications from women and under‑represented groups.
Application Instructions Submit a resume, list of references (optional), and a cover letter addressed to “Hiring Manager – AVP and University Controller” via the link: https://jobs.silkroad.com/BU/External/jobs/315808.
Equal Opportunity Statement We are an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protected hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, marital, parental, or veteran status. We will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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Job Description Reporting to the Vice President, Financial Operations, the Associate Vice President & University Controller is responsible for maintaining accounting records of the University, providing accurate and timely financial reporting, ensuring protection of university assets through adequate internal controls, and implementing cutting‑edge technology while staying abreast of industry trends.
Key responsibilities include:
Overall leadership and direction of the accounting staff and operations, overseeing over 65 staff across Student Financial Services, Financial Accounting & Reporting, Tax Services, Payroll Services, Research Financial Operations, and Property Management.
Staff development, recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating personnel.
Review month‑end close reporting, prepare board committee presentations and routine/ad‑hoc financial analysis.
Prepare consolidated financial statements and footnotes in accordance with GAAP; liaise with external auditors and lead all external financial audits.
Establish internal control environment for financial information and accounting of university assets.
Act as committee member for subsidiaries, task forces, and working groups; collaborate with internal and external partners.
Major Duties Of This Position Include:
Responsible for staff development, including assisting managers in developing their teams. Direct reports include: Associate Controller, Payroll Services; Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services (SFS); Assistant Vice President of Financial Accounting & Reporting and Tax Services; Associate Controller of Research Financial Operations, including Grant and Miscellaneous Receivables, and Property Management.
Design, establish, and maintain an organizational structure and staffing to accomplish organizational goals; recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel.
Review month‑end close reporting to leadership; prepare monthly board committee presentations; prepare routine/ad‑hoc financial analysis and reports for senior leadership.
Oversee preparation of university's consolidated financial statements with footnotes and MD&A; liaise with external auditors and lead all external financial audits; serve as staff to the Board of Trustees' Audit Committee.
Responsible for establishing an internal control environment related to financial information and accounting for university assets.
Act as committee member for subsidiaries, related parties, task forces, and working groups; collaborate with internal and external partners.
Required Skills
CPA qualified and master’s degree (MBA, MSA or equivalent).
12+ years of experience in financial accounting management, preferably public accounting within higher education; last five years supervisory or managerial. Seven years audit experience in higher education with managerial responsibilities may also suffice.
Expertise in internal controls, compliance, and GAAP.
Strong communication, negotiation, influencing, critical thinking, collaboration, problem‑solving, and empathy skills.
Excellent analytical skills and experience with complex processes & systems; knowledge of report writing applications.
Success managing staff & office operations; strong leadership and team‑building skills.
Strong time management and planning skills to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to fast‑paced changes.
Self‑motivated, proactive, intellectually curious.
Preferred Skills
Extensive experience with SAP and/or other reporting tools, enterprise‑wide accounting software (Oracle, PeopleSoft, Banner, ERP), Campus Solutions, Microsoft Office Suite.
Benefits / Other Information Boston University's generous benefits package includes health, dental, life insurance, and paid time off. Full‑time employees are eligible for tuition remission for courses at Boston University, including dependents. For more details, see the BU benefits page at https://www.bu.edu/hr/employee-resources/benefits/.
Department of Financial Affairs values intellectual, cultural, and social diversity and is committed to inclusivity, equity, and a place where all can thrive. We encourage applications from women and under‑represented groups.
Application Instructions Submit a resume, list of references (optional), and a cover letter addressed to “Hiring Manager – AVP and University Controller” via the link: https://jobs.silkroad.com/BU/External/jobs/315808.
Equal Opportunity Statement We are an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protected hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, marital, parental, or veteran status. We will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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