University Controller

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The University Controller supports learning by working directly with the Vice President for Finance in promoting financial sustainability at Aurora University. Excellent financial reporting, internal control, and judgment are critical to the success of this position. A successful candidate is skilled in communication, problem resolution, technically proficient with GAAP and non-for-profit accounting, and has strong excel and other software skills.

Core Competencies:

  1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Ensure the completeness and accuracy of university accounting records and maintain a climate of confidentiality.
  2. Manage efficiently and effectively all university accounting and financial processes consistent with the requirements of the university’s policies and procedures to include timely account reconciliation, monthly budget to actual reporting, grant oversight and reporting, and quarterly and year-end financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.
  3. Oversee the daily operations of the Business Office to ensure accurate and prompt services are provided and delivered to the employees and students of the university. Functions of the Business Office include accounts payable, payroll processing, grant accounting, endowment accounting, fixed assets, and overall general ledger management and compliance reporting.
  4. Manage and direct the preparation of the university’s annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP, including related disclosures, notes, and management analysis.
  5. Coordinate and serve as liaison for all audits of the university. Anticipate and supervise preparation of audit reports, tax returns, corrective actions, and activities to discover discrepancies or potential noncompliance issues; initiate and monitor response to auditor inquiries and suggestions.
  6. Supervise, train, and mentor staff in a team environment; determine deadlines and plan staffing requirements for all fiscal activities; recruit and hire staff as needed; evaluate performance of staff; ensure and/or conduct staff training and cross-training.
  7. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with university administrators, staff, and faculty to support student and employee success.
  8. Assist the VP for Finance with analysis, budget management, and other projects as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting; Master’s and/or CPA preferred.

Experience:

  • 7+ years of experience with increasing responsibility in complex organizations.

Skills:

  • Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills required to communicate financial information in a meaningful way to all constituents of the university community.
  • Ability to interpret, apply and communicate regulations, accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
  • Excellent financial reporting, internal control, and judgment.
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented and accurate.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, understand and attend to details, meet established deadlines, and provide excellent customer service to the university community.
  • Able to maintain strong internal control environment including supporting documentation and authorizations.
  • Strong analytical skills as required for account analysis and reconciliation.
  • Expertise in spreadsheet and word processing software: Microsoft is preferred.
  • Ability to inspire and motivate others to perform at high levels.
  • Able to handle multiple priorities and effectively meet deadlines as required.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to interact verbally in person, over telephone, and via written and electronic media.
  • Ability to move about campus and other locations.
  • Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

If you were referred by a current employee of Aurora University please include the name of the employee in your submission.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.