Assistant Vice President for Finance and Controller - Whitman College

Lead a collaborative team of finance professionals
• Oversee complex financial operations, including a $1B endowment
• Partner closely with senior leadership to strengthen processes and financial operations

Another Source's client, Whitman College, is recruiting an Assistant Vice President for Finance & Controller to join their team in Walla Walla, Washington. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, and relocation assistance is available.

Here's a little about Whitman College:

Located in the heart of Walla Walla, Washington, Whitman College is a nationally recognized liberal arts institution known for its academic excellence, close-knit community, and commitment to providing a transformative educational experience. Set on a beautiful, tree-lined campus, Whitman brings together approximately 1,500 students from around the world and 500 dedicated faculty and staff who share a passion for learning, collaboration, and student success.

Whitman combines the personalized experience of a small liberal arts college with a strong national reputation for academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and meaningful student engagement. The College's collaborative environment encourages innovation, thoughtful leadership, and a shared commitment to advancing its mission.

Whitman offers the opportunity to contribute to the long-term strength and success of an institution where relationships matter, ideas are valued, and the work of every department plays an important role in supporting the student experience.

Learn more about Whitman College: https://www.whitman.edu/about/

About this role:

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Finance and Controller is responsible for the fiscal operations of the College by establishing and maintaining procedures and internal controls, ensuring the accuracy and timely recording and reporting of fiscal activity, and safeguarding the College's assets.

The AVP for Finance and Controller oversees the Office of Accounting and Business Services (ABS) which includes preparation of and management of the College's annual budget, student accounts, trust and endowment accounting, accounting for the College's trust properties, grants management and accounting, purchasing and payables.

This position is responsible for timely and accurate maintenance of the general ledger and financial management reporting including preparation of the annual audited financial statements, budget to actual reporting, grant reporting, reports for Cabinet and the Board of Trustees, and other adhoc or routine required reporting to outside agencies and/or higher education industry-related reporting.

The AVP for Finance and Controller is responsible for the preparation of the College's annual tax returns and managing the College's tax compliance with international, federal, and state laws. The AVP for Finance and Controller reports directly to the Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA).

Currently, the College's payroll function resides within the Office of Accounting and Business Services, but the Vice President for Finance and Administration is considering a transfer of this function to the Office of Human Resources.

Scope & Impact

Current Fund (i.e., Operating) (55%)

• Internal Controls. Design, implement, and maintain an effective system of internal controls to prevent and detect fraud and/or errors and to safeguard the College's assets.

• Processes and Procedures. Design, implement, and maintain an effective accounting system promoting accuracy, clarity, consistency, reliability, timeliness, and efficiency, ideally promoting a paperless process and leveraging technology when available. Prepare policies and procedures as needed and ensure they are clear, concise, and well documented.

• Financial Reporting. Maintain compliance with accounting standards and rules, specifically in the higher education and nonprofit industries as well as accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and the Federal Uniform Guidance. Prepare financial statements, reports, and analysis as necessary for both external and internal users.

• Financial Planning. Support the College's VPFA by proactively developing ways to save the College money through tax planning, purchasing strategies, grant applications, and preparing financial models and forecasts.

• Legal Compliance. Maintain compliance with all pertinent governmental and oversight agencies, such as the timely filing of charitable and business registrations, and maintain effective working relationships with the College's legal counsel.

• Supervision. Supervise the staff and the activities of ABS in collaboration with the Assistant/Associate Controllers.

• Asset Management. Control and account for the College's assets and net assets, including the tracking of donor restrictions, and maintain effective working relationships with the College's financial institutions.

• Audit Management. Plan and coordinate the College's annual financial statement and 403(b) retirement plan audits and the single audit, prepare the financial statements, and maintain effective working relationships with the College's independent auditors and the Board of Trustees' Audit Committee.

• Budget Management. Together with the College's VPFA and Budget Manager, plan and coordinate the development of the annual budget, including the maintenance of the general ledger and monitoring alignment of the budget to actuals throughout the year. Attend the President's Budget Advisory Council meetings and the Board of Trustees' Resource Committee meetings.

• Debt Management. Together with the VPFA, Underwriter, and Municipal Bond Advisor, participate in planning, issuance, reporting and compliance related to the College's long-term debt.

• Grant Management. Work with the College's Director of Grants and Foundation Relations, the Director of Financial Aid Services, and the Registrar to design, implement, and maintain compliance with the Uniform Guidance as it relates to the College's Federal funds and grants. Serve as the College's Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) for all Federal grant proposals. Review and sign all grant applications and reports. Prepare the College's Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards for the single audit. Work with the Associate Controller and Grants Accountant for proper tracking, accounting, and reporting of all of the College's grants.

• Tax Compliance. Oversee and coordinate the College's tax reporting and related tax issues, including implementation of processes to track and report taxable transactions such as unrelated business income taxes, excise taxes, taxable fringe benefits, payroll taxes in multiple states, nonresident alien withholding taxes, sales and use taxes, etc. Maintain an effective working relationship with the College's tax advisors and prepare the annual Forms 990 and 990-T, Form 4720, Forms 5500, and all other required monthly, quarterly, and annual tax reports. Manage all communications with outside government agencies.

• Training. Provide training and lead presentations to various constituencies as needed both internally and externally.

Farm and Rental Properties (5%) & Endowment Investments (35%)

• Tax Compliance for Investments. Working with the Director of Investments, determine the revenue streams subject to the excise tax, track the College's tax basis of its investments, identify and calculate allowable tax deductions related to the College's unrelated business income, track and understand the College's Investment K-1's, prepare the Forms 990-T and 4720 with the College's tax advisors, and develop tax planning strategies in order to save the College in UBIT and excise taxes.

• Financial Reporting for Investments. Work closely with the Director of Investments and Assistant/Associate Controller to track and report the values of the College's investments. Prepare the related required note disclosures for the College's audited financial statements and report endowment information to relevant outside agencies.

• Trust Property Management. Oversee the Assistant/Associate Controller and Trust Accountant & Rental Property Manager in regards to accounting of the College's rental properties, including maintenance of the depreciation schedule and capital projects for financial reporting. Provide support when issues arise with tenants. Work with the Director of Investments on the accounting and reporting of the College's farm activity.

Evolving Responsibilities (5%)

• Contribute to additional projects, reporting requirements, reconciliations and initiatives as needed, adapting to evolving priorities and organizational needs.

• Collaborate with colleagues and provide back-up support for other positions in ABS and/or the Division of Finance & Administration as needed.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain an effective collegial working relationship with students, parents, faculty and staff as well as vendors, volunteers, agencies and the general public.

• Possess requisite knowledge base and understanding to maintain professional capability.

• Ability to positively and actively contribute to the college's core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and access.

• Ability to communicate effectively (especially financial information) both orally and in writing to a varied audience.

• Thorough knowledge of and ability to interpret and implement all pertinent standards, rules and regulations that govern the financial or business activity of the College.

• Ability to work with technology partners to further the service efforts and efficiency of ABS through effective use of technology.

• Ability to plan, organize, implement and evaluate financial programs, policies and procedures.

• Ability to develop and implement plans to meet the future needs and activity of ABS and the College.

• Provide training and lead presentations.

• Working knowledge of accounting systems and computing.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to delegate effectively.

• A collegial, collaborative, and transparent nature.

• A high level of discretion and integrity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or accounting.

• CPA licensure.

• 5+ years of demonstrated progressive experience in non-profit or business accounting and financial services with knowledge in both financial reporting and tax matters.

• OR a combination of relevant education, training and experience.

Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.

What's in it for you:

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $162,000-$171,000.

Whitman College offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Eligible employees enjoy medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with generous employer contributions; life and disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts.

Additional benefits include generous paid time off, paid holidays, employee wellness resources, an Employee Assistance Program, and tuition benefits for eligible dependents.

To learn more about Whitman College's benefits, visit: https://www.whitman.edu/human-resources/benefits

Additional Housing Benefits: Whitman College offers unique housing programs designed to help employees transition to and establish roots in the Walla Walla community. Eligible employees may have access to College-owned rental properties, including apartments and family homes, at approximately 15% below market rental rates. Whitman also offers a homeownership assistance program that can help eligible employees purchase a home through a shared-equity arrangement, with the College contributing up to 40% of the home's equity, subject to program limits and eligibility requirements.

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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