Controller

The Universities of Wisconsin are a premier system of public higher education. We educate approximately 162,000 students each year and employ about 35,000 faculty and staff statewide.

With 13 universities across the state, the Universities of Wisconsin are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

The Department of Financial Administration has the primary responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the Universities of Wisconsin. It is expected to provide a financial environment that is secure, encourages the accomplishment of academic missions, provides timely and accurate information, and assists all levels of management in making prudent financial decisions.

To meet these responsibilities, Financial Administration has organized itself around the following five service categories: Systemwide Accounting and Budget Control; Shared Financial System Operations Management; Financial and Administrative Policy Development; Financial Analysis and Reporting; System Administration Accounting and Budget Control.

POSITION SUMMARY

Within the Universities of Wisconsin Administration (UWSA), the Controller reports to the Senior Associate Vice President for Finance and is a leadership position responsible for overseeing systemwide financial operations, takes a lead role in developing financial policies, works with UW universities in the monitoring and reconciliation of budgets, ensures compliance with financial regulations, provides leadership for financial analysis, and tax reporting. This position advises the Vice President for Finance & Administration and assists administrative management in the efficient and effective monitoring, management, and control of the financial resources of the Universities of Wisconsin.

The Controller oversees the following major functions:  the Systemwide and UWSA Controller’s Offices and related financial and budget controls, and tax reporting.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include the following key activities:

• Provide System-wide leadership over general accounting, cash management, financial operations, and analysis.
  • Ensuring that the UW System’s expenditures are within its approved budget by appropriation and major budget category.
  • Processing and approving budget transfers.
  • Monitoring revenue collections, projecting expenditures and recommending any corrective actions needed to executive management.
  • Ensuring that an appropriate balance is maintained in the systemwide zero balance control account, that all bank charges are appropriate, and that the account is fully reconciled monthly.
  • Oversee the maintenance and monitoring of accurate financial records of assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenues, and expenses.
  • Ensuring the accuracy of UW System accounting records and that these records are reconciled to the accounting records maintained by the State Department of Administration.
  • Providing such internal reports as are required for the financial management of the UW System along with reports required by the State Department of Administration and other external entities.
  • Closing the year-end accounting records, reconciling UW System records to the accounting records maintained by the state of Wisconsin and ensuring the correct distribution of balances carried forward.                                                
• Coordinate and facilitate the relationship with the contracted bank.
  • Primary signatory along with Senior Associate Vice President for Finance.
  • Oversee the establishment, maintenance and monitoring of bank accounts, cash management, and all card products.
  • Escalating issues to the relationship manager and collaborating solutions.
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and interpretation of policies and procedures of the Universities of Wisconsin:
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures in compliance with regulatory requirements of organizations such as the State of Wisconsin, the Federal Government, and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
  • Develop and implement sound risk-based internal controls that reflect Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) framework.
  • Assist UW universities in designing financial reports, analysis and models.
  • Monitor budget to actual performance.
• Oversee the development of timely tax reporting and other financial management reports that enhance decision-making within the Universities of Wisconsin.
• Coordinate and facilitate the communication of accounting related information to and from the campus controllers. This includes the planning and leading of the controller teleconferences, face-to-face meetings, and ad hoc communications.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues from across UWSA and the Universities of Wisconsin as a whole.
• Respond to UW leadership and other inquiries for UW financial information.
• For UWSA as its own business unit, ensure appropriate management of general accounting functions (e.g., accounts payable, accounts receivable), ensure accurate and timely financial reports, and advise leadership on UWSA’s financial position.
• Recruit, train, and supervise professional staff necessary to carry out finance-related responsibilities and strategic initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Associate Vice President for Finance and the Vice President for Finance & Administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, a candidate must have:

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible contributions to financial management in a complex environment
• Expertise in financial planning, analysis, and modeling, and experience leading financial planning process changes from concept through to implementation.
• Solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Strong and demonstrated understanding of financial operations and reporting
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across an organization at all levels

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Well qualified applicants will also have a substantial amount of experience in a combination of the following:

• A CPA is highly desirable.
• An advanced college degree in business, finance, public policy or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with the budget and legislative process within state government and/or higher education
• Advanced leadership ability and strong management skills to lead teams of professionals
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively address complex subject matters, such as financial information, in an easy-to understand and transparent manner.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community.  We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Universities of Wisconsin is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment. 

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

WORK LOCATION

Telecommuting or hybrid work options may be available, with a minimum in-office expectation of 3 to 5 days a week.  Preference will be given to candidates that reside within the state of Wisconsin.  The office is located at 780 Regent Street, Suite 254, Madison, Wisconsin 53715.  Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, salaried (exempt) limited appointment. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $135,000 - $162,000 annually commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees. Please see this link for total compensation information: UW System Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator.