Controller

Cornell College is hiring a Controller

Cornell College invites applications for a full-time Controller. This role oversees the college’s business office, ensuring strong financial controls, compliance with GAAP, and accurate reporting. The Controller manages audits, federal and state reporting, billing, collections, disbursements, and supports budgeting and internal financial analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance (CPA preferred)
• 6+ years supervisory experience in a nonprofit accounting environment ($20M+ revenue preferred)
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, fund accounting, payroll, and compliance

This is a leadership role that requires excellent communication, collaboration, and technical accounting skills.

Preferred Skills

• Excellent technical accounting skills and knowledge (GAAP, fund accounting, endowment accounting, accounts payable, and payroll).
• Ability to understand, develop, and communicate the information needs of senior staff and provide meaningful reports and analyses.
• Understanding of systems and procedures to support internal control, external reporting, and compliance requirements. Ability to streamline accounting processes to reduce time and increase the accuracy of accounting records.
• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the college’s annual budgeting process, including collaborating with academic and administrative departments to prepare, review, and consolidate budget submissions, providing guidance and support throughout the budgeting cycle.
• Strong sense of service orientation, with a proven ability to effectively communicate decisions and educate in the process.
• High level of professionalism and integrity with a demonstrated ability to work productively with and gain the confidence of all areas of the college.
• Ability to maintain focus, successfully execute against plans, and bring timely closure to activities, tasks, and projects.
• Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word (required); (Microsoft Dynamics / PowerCAMPUS preferred). Familiarity with Google Suite is helpful.
• Has proven experience in developing others—providing coaching and offering assignments that challenge and foster skills. Must have an excellent track record in building and leading effective teams.
• Personal attributes - energetic, optimistic, competent, ethical with the ability to develop a deep sense of trust, can engage people in a dynamic work environment, visionary about leading improvements in the accounting processes, ability to nurture opportunities for collaboration, ability to cultivate and maintain informal relationships across the college that are mutually beneficial, ability to motivate people by a purpose worthy of their efforts, excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent organization and problem solving skills.
• A passion and commitment for the work, culture, and mission of Cornell College.
• Higher education accounting experience

Working Relationships and Location

Reports to the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; supervises the team within the business office. Daily contact with college faculty, staff, and students, and has regular contact with financial institutions, attorneys, brokers, donors, governmental officials, suppliers, trustees, and the general public. This position is expected to work on campus with the option for 1-2 days per week of remote work.

Cornell employees enjoy a fantastic benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, HSA & FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents. The college also offers life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance. And, all full-time staff begin with a 4-week vacation accrual, along with 14.5 paid holidays per year. This position has a hiring pay range of $90,000- $105,000.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell complies with Iowa's Smoke-free Air Act. Cornell utilizes E-Verify and requires the satisfactory completion of a background check.

We Make it Easy

Founded in 1901, MRA is a nonprofit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers, covering more than one million employees.

As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by offering the most comprehensive assortment of HR services, information, education, and resources to help build successful workplaces and a powerful workforce.

We partner with these companies, working directly with their HR department and leadership to hire their talent. We are a direct line to the company, not an agency recruiter.

We Make it Easy

Founded in 1901, MRA is a nonprofit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers, covering more than one million employees.

As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by offering the most comprehensive assortment of HR services, information, education, and resources to help build successful workplaces and a powerful workforce.

We partner with these companies working directly with their HR department and leadership to hire their talent. We are a direct line to the company, not an agency recruiter.