Senior Associate Controller

If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

Job

Senior Associate Controller

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Controller plays a critical leadership role in managing the College’s day-to-day finance and accounting operations, including general ledger, timely financial close process, cash management, process mapping, and management reporting. This position is a key partner in ensuring the integrity of financial systems, strengthening internal controls, and optimizing financial processes. The ideal candidate brings a high level of accounting expertise, operational efficiency, and a collaborative leadership style to support the College’s mission and long-term financial sustainability.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Management

• Serve as a senior manager in the finance department, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and operational direction.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to the accounting team, including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure finance systems are effectively leveraged to streamline processes and support organizational goals.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment to safeguard assets, support reliable financial reporting, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to improve policies and procedures
  
  

Accounting & Financial Management

• Oversee the general ledger, ensuring accurate and timely month-end and year-end closings.
• Supervise account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial analysis.
• Strengthen the monthly and annual close processes, identifying opportunities for automation and efficiency.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and enhance internal controls related to payroll, purchasing, and accounts payable.
• Maintain and improve internal controls related to cash management and financial transactions.
• Monitor bank transactions and ensure proper segregation of duties, approvals and access controls.
• Work with Supervisor to map and document key financial processes to improve clarity, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Design, implement, and maintain robust reconciliation processes for payroll taxes, fundraising revenue, student revenue, and other systems that interface with the general ledger to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data.
• Produce accurate and timely financial statements and internal management reports.
• Track and analyze key cost drivers, including compensation, fringe benefits, and capital expenditures.
• Support audit preparation and ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS regulations, and other relevant authorities.
• Manage the organization’s Finance & Accounting calendar to align with strategic goals and reporting obligations.
• Provide support to Budgeting and Financial Planning through collaboration on forecasts, analysis, and data integrity.
• Other projects as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and financial reporting standards.
• Proven experience in managing monthly closings, financial statement preparation, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and drive process improvement.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with financial systems (e.g., ERP, accounting software; AI tools); ability to assess and optimize usage.
  
  

Workplace location:

• This job is currently a hybrid position and may require a presence in the office up to five times a week, including for team and full staff meetings and other times as directed by the supervisor.
  
  

Salary Range: $135,000 - $145,000 annually

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Company

Barnard College

Time Type

Full time