Assistant Controller

Overview

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is recruiting for an Assistant Controller. Reporting to the Controller, the Assistant Controller is a key Finance Division leadership position responsible for financial reporting, internal controls, tax compliance, and adherence to GAAP and other regulatory requirements.

 

The Assistant Controller oversees a team of professionals responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, treasury and cash management, accounts payable and disbursements, and general accounting operations.  The position requires comfort and aptitude working at both strategic and operational execution levels, balancing hands-on work with effective team leadership, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and implement best practices.  This role is essential for maintaining stakeholder trust through accurate financial reporting and stewardship, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring operational excellence in WFAA's finance function. This is a hybrid position that will require you to work on-site in our Madison, WI office location at least two days weekly.

 

Who is WFAA?The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty, and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers.

 

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive. 

Essential Functions

Financial Reporting, Audit, and Internal Controls

• Oversee the preparation and review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and management reports, including variance analysis and KPIs.
• Ensure timely preparation of materials for senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Identify opportunities for automated dashboards and reporting and drive development.
• Proactively develop and maintain advanced working knowledge of applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices; research, interpret, and develop recommendations as needed.
• Ensure adequate quality assurance processes are followed for financial data used in internal and external reports.
• Coordinate and lead the external audit as primary staff liaison, as well as prepare and review workpapers, annual financial statements, and footnotes, ensuring GAAP compliance.
• Partner with the Controller on internal controls design, documentation, and oversight; maintain risk and control matrices; and execute internal control testing.
• Ensure adequate segregation of duties across finance activities and maintain documentation.
• Support strategic planning and coordination of outsourced internal control reviews.

 

Accounting

• Responsible for ensuring that the monthly and quarterly close process is completed comprehensively and timely, assisted by well documented processes and standardization of supporting workpapers.
• Review monthly and quarterly reconciliations and analyses.
• Identify and implement improvements to accounting systems, processes, and documentation to ensure accuracy and timeliness and enhance efficiency and automation.
• Maintain general ledger integrity and governance, including chart of accounts changes, reporting standards and naming conventions, and journal entry documentation requirements.
• Provide oversight and strategic direction for disbursements, corporate card programs, and travel expense management; lead process improvements and team development; ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with organizational policies.
• Assist the Controller with effective design of the organization’s financial policies and supporting procedures, as well as integration of those policies and procedures with those of the university.

 

Budget, Financial Planning & Analysis

• Oversee preparation of the annual operating bud