Senior Associate Controller

If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

Job:

Senior Associate Controller

Job Summary:

The Senior Associate Controller plays a critical leadership role in managing the College’s day-to-day finance and accounting operations, including general ledger, timely financial close process, cash management, process mapping, and management reporting. This position is a key partner in ensuring the integrity of financial systems, strengthening internal controls, and optimizing financial processes. The ideal candidate brings a high level of accounting expertise, operational efficiency, and a collaborative leadership style to support the College’s mission and long-term financial sustainability.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Management

• Serve as a senior manager in the finance department, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and operational direction.

• Provide mentorship and leadership to the accounting team, including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development.

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure finance systems are effectively leveraged to streamline processes and support organizational goals.

• Maintain a strong internal control environment to safeguard assets, support reliable financial reporting, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to improve policies and procedures

Accounting & Financial Management

• Oversee the general ledger, ensuring accurate and timely month-end and year-end closings.

• Supervise account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial analysis.

• Strengthen the monthly and annual close processes, identifying opportunities for automation and efficiency.

• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and enhance internal controls related to payroll, purchasing, and accounts payable.

• Maintain and improve internal controls related to cash management and financial transactions.

• Monitor bank transactions and ensure proper segregation of duties, approvals and access controls.

• Work with Supervisor to map and document key financial processes to improve clarity, accountability, and operational efficiency.

• Design, implement, and maintain robust reconciliation processes for payroll taxes, fundraising revenue, student revenue, and other systems that interface with the general ledger to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data.

• Produce accurate and timely financial statements and internal management reports.

• Track and analyze key cost drivers, including compensation, fringe benefits, and capital expenditures.

• Support audit preparation and ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS regulations, and other relevant authorities.

• Manage the organization’s Finance & Accounting calendar to align with strategic goals and reporting obligations.

• Provide support to Budgeting and Financial Planning through collaboration on forecasts, analysis, and data integrity.

• Other projects as assigned.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred.

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership roles.

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and financial reporting standards.

• Proven experience in managing monthly closings, financial statement preparation, and internal controls.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and drive process improvement.

• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Experience with financial systems (e.g., ERP, accounting software; AI tools); ability to assess and optimize usage.

Workplace location:

• This job is currently a hybrid position and may require a presence in the office up to five times a week, including for team and full staff meetings and other times as directed by the supervisor.