Assistant Controller

POSITION SUMMARY:

The American Council on Education (ACE) is the major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities. ACE is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practices. With a diverse base of member institutions, ACE represents nearly 1,700 college and university presidents and executives, serving as the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S.-accredited, degree-granting institutions. ACE's mission includes serving 280 minority-serving institutions, 25,000 higher education professionals, and 7.7 million students enrolled in colleges and universities. ACE membership extends to all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and 21 other countries.

Reporting to the Controller, the Assistant Controller is responsible for managing the Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, financial reporting, and other accounting functions in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The Assistant Controller supervises a team of accounting professionals and is accountable for effective day-to-day accounting operations. The Assistant Controller is also responsible for maintaining accounting best practices and implementing initiatives and efficiencies to ensure results are attained and quality standards are met. This position also provides basic financial system administrative support and advice on ACE financial and accounting systems, applications, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES OR TASKS:

Accounting Operations, Analysis, and Financial Reporting:

• Coordinates and improves, in conjunction with the Controller, the timeliness of the monthly and annual closing processes in support of accurate financial reporting.
• In coordination with the CFO and Controller, develops the organization’s annual budget, assisting staff and administrators in budget preparation, implementation, and control.
• In coordination with the CFO and Controller, conducts financial trend analysis and forecasts.
• Prepares, reviews, analyzes, and interprets financial and budgetary reports, including indirect cost rates.
• Provides data analytics and makes recommendations to ACE program managers.
• Monitors ACE’s operational environment to ensure knowledge of and compliance with legal, nonprofit, and GAAP requirements.
• In coordination with the Controller, conducts the annual financial audit, including preparing, reviewing, and responding to audit schedules relied upon by the independent auditors in reaching their audit conclusions.
• Assists with the preparation of GAAP financial statements, including budgeting and forecasting.

Manage Accounting Functions:

• In coordination with the Controller, helps manage the day-to-day operations of the Finance and Budget (F&B) Department, ensuring accurate and timely disbursement, collection, and recording of funds.
• Monitors the processing of invoices and payments to ensure timely and accurate reconciliations.
• Ensures A/R and A/P policies follow accounting principles.
• Creates and maintains documentation on ACE’s accounting policies and procedures. Works with the CFO and Controller to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of processes.
• Manages, trains, and mentors F&B team members in processing payroll, and internal controls related to Financial Reporting, Labor Accounting, Payroll, Accounts Payable, Project Accounting and Invoicing, Fixed Assets, and Tax Compliance.
• Manages ACE project accounting processes and ensures that customer grant and contract costs are properly accounted for, accurately and timely billed, and Accounts Receivable are collected according to contractual and payment terms.
• Backfills for Controller when necessary, ensuring seamless continuity of accounting operations.

Accounting Systems and Software:

• Serve as ACE’s lead accounting and financial systems user, supporting optimization, configuration, testing, and reporting to improve system effectiveness
• Researches and recommends changes to ACE’s financial and accounting systems, applications, processes and procedures to improve the efficacy and efficiency of financial reconciliation, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of current accounting software and related policies, practices, and procedures.
• Develops and conducts training to educate end users on ACE’s new and existing financial and accounting systems.
• Manages and resolves help desk tickets on ACE financial system issues.
• In coordination with financial system consultants, troubleshoots and resolves financial system issues.

Audit and Compliance:

• In coordination with the Controller, support the annual tax return preparation, compiling records to prepare IRS Forms 990, 990-T, and other information returns as required.
• Maintains schedules of taxation and compliance reporting requirements, according to various federal and state regulations and laws.
• Researches tax issues as required.
• Maintains knowledge of annual changes in relevant tax policies to ensure ACE remains compliant in all matters.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or associated field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in accounting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with nonprofit accounting.
• General knowledge of federal financial policy and procedures, particularly U.S. federal government cost principles (Uniform Guidance) and indirect cost rates.
• Advanced experience with Excel, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP experience.
• Self-starter with strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• High attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with superior customer service.

Preferred:

• CPA, or other relevant certification.
• Experience with accounting and reporting software, in particular, Sage Intacct, Solver, and SAP Concur.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

This is an onsite position, with four days per week in the office and one telework day available in coordination with the team. 35 hours a week.

Please Note:

ACE does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies. Any resumes submitted without a prior signed agreement will be considered the property of ACE, and no fees will be paid.