Controller

Role summary

Controller is a role at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California, United States (on-site). Posted 2026-08-17. Experience level: 10+.

Job title

Controller

Company

Notre Dame de Namur University

Location

Belmont, California, United States

Work arrangement

on-site

Category

Administrative

Experience level

10+

Date posted

2026-08-17

Job description

Position: Controller

Department: Finance & Administration

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary: $140,000 - $165,000/annual

General Description:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller serves as a strategic finance leader responsible for ensuring the integrity of the University's financial operations while advancing operational excellence, systems modernization, process automation, and data-informed decision-making. As a member of the senior management team within the Finance Office, the Controller provides leadership and oversight of multiple professional staff and functional areas, ensuring timely and accurate accounting, compliance, financial reporting, internal controls, and stewardship of NDNU resources.

The Controller partners closely with executive leadership, operational departments, Information Technology, Human Resources, Payroll, auditors, banking partners, and external stakeholders to strengthen financial operations and support institutional goals. The scope of responsibility includes general accounting & compliance, accounts payable, purchasing, cashiering services, treasury services, financial reporting, student accounting, financial systems administration, internal controls, and process improvement initiatives. Additionally, this position provides expertise to executive leadership on regulatory compliance, financial strategy, risk management, and operational effectiveness.

Specific Responsibilities/Duties:

Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

Lead, mentor, develop, evaluate multiple direct reports and finance staff professionals responsible for accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable, student accounting, treasury, and related finance functions.

Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, continuous improvement, and professional development throughout the Finance Office.

Champion a culture of data-informed decision-making, operational excellence, innovation, and service.

Provide staff leadership, coaching, training, and guidance on technical accounting issues, financial management practices, and professional development.

In the absence of the Chief Financial Officer, serve as the acting leader of the University Finance Office.

Financial Operations, Compliance & Internal Controls

Direct and oversee the University's accounting operations, ensuring accurate processing, recording, reconciliation, and reporting of financial transactions.

Develop, implement, monitor, and maintain fiscal policies and procedures in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), federal OMB Uniform Guidance, tax regulations, and all applicable federal and state laws.

Design, document, implement, and monitor a comprehensive internal control framework that safeguards University assets, mitigates risk, and promotes regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.

Ensure timely monthly and annual fiscal general ledger closes and provides the CFO with cash reconciliations, liquidity analyses, and fund balance projections.

Partner closely with Human Resources and Payroll to ensure the accurate accounting, reconciliation, reporting, and internal control oversight of payroll-related transactions and liabilities.

Coordinate with external auditors, tax preparers, consultants, regulatory agencies, and financial institutions to ensure timely and accurate reporting and compliance.

Coordinate and oversee the annual external financial statement audit, Single Audit, annual tax filings, and associated compliance activities.

Coordinate the annual close of the University's books and prepare and review annual financial statements, audit schedules, supporting documentation, and work papers.

Strategic Financial Leadership & Decision Support

Work closely with executive leadership, and campus stakeholders on financial planning, resource allocation, long-term sustainability and institutional priorities.

Develop and maintain executive financial reporting, dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and financial analytics to support strategic and operational decision-making.

Serve as a strategic business partner to academic and administrative leadership by providing financial insights, operational analysis, and decision support.

Ensure the integrity, consistency, accessibility, and governance of financial data across institutional systems.

Participate in special projects, financial analyses, and strategic initiatives that advance institutional goals and improve organizational performance.

Systems, Technology & Process Improvement

Lead continuous improvement initiatives to modernize financial operations, automate manual processes, streamline workflows, and leverage technology to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

Serve as the primary business owner and functional lead for financial systems, including system optimization, reporting enhancements, workflow automation, data governance, and future technology initiatives.

Partner with Information Technology and operational departments to optimize ERP utilization, system integrations, reporting capabilities, and business processes.

Ensure financial and supporting systems are monitored, integrated, secure, and optimized to support accounting, reporting, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness.

Governance & University Service

Support the Board of Trustees through the preparation of financial reports, presentations, and supporting materials.

Serve as Assistant Treasurer, if designated by the Board of Trustees.

Serve on the Retirement Plan Administrative Committee.

Collaborate with the University community to understand operational and financial information needs and improve service delivery.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications: Ten (10) y