Controller - Central - SUNY Suffolk County Community College

SCCC REFERENCE #: 24-62



DATE: October 4, 2024


TITLE: Controller - Central



CAMPUS: College



START DATE: ASAP



TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-Time



RANK: Exempt



POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Suffolk County Community College is an open admissions institution committed to serving a diverse student population in a variety of degree and career programs. It is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 20,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead, as well as a Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in Riverhead.





Suffolk County Community College is seeking a skilled financial leader to serve as Controller. This position reports to the Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs and assists in overseeing an annual operating budget of approximately $215 million and is responsible for the general accounting, financial reporting, capital accounting, student financial services and internal controls of the college.





Key Responsibilities include:




+ Assists the VP in the oversight of all accounting procedures, record keeping, and compliance with laws and regulations of the State of New York as well as Suffolk County.



+ Responsible for analyzing and implementing internal financial controls and procedures. Ensures compliance with various legal requirements at the college, state and federal levels. Maintains integrity of financial data.



+ Establishes internal financial controls for the College; reviews internal financial control procedures on a periodic basis and directs transaction audits of internal areas as needed.



+ Ensures that all college financial transactions and financial reporting are performed in accordance with rules, mandates, regulations, fiscal policies, statutes, and generally accepted accounting principles as set forth by the College Board of Trustees, NYS, SUNY, US Department of Education, GASB, Federal circulars, and the US government.



+ Coordinates annual external audit and audits by other entities of college’s official records, ledgers, and accounts. Reviews auditor’s recommendation and makes appropriate procedure or system changes.



+ Collaborates with a variety of internal stakeholders to identify key internal business intelligence and lead improvements in business processes.



+ Collaborates with appropriate College staff to ensure accuracy, security and integrity of college’s financial ERP systems and data.



+ Assists in the implementation and management of a financial system that incorporates and adheres to recommendations issued by State Education Law and/or governmental agencies having reporting jurisdiction over this aspect of the college’s functions.



+ Coordinates and provides guidance to the campus Business Officers to assure compliance with college budgetary and financial policies/procedures.



+ Promotes an environment of customer service, ensuring quality financial support in all areas of financial service for all customers, including campus departmental personnel, students, vendors, and other external customers



+ Maintains appropriate knowledge and ensures the implementation of regulations, audit standards, and financial reporting requirements to ensure compliance.



+ Implements, maintains, and supervises fixed asset accounting, including developing and maintaining the process for inventory control and reporting, and development and oversight of internal fixed asset procedures. Directs periodic physical counts of fixed assets and directs determination of depreciation rates to apply.



+ Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.






The ideal candidate should possess demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal communication skills, as well as demonstrated strategic financial policy development experience in a complex institution; the ability to lead a high performing team and experience working with a diverse employee population; excellent analytical skills with effective business acumen. Strong verbal and written communication skills. A history of identifying and implementing changes to improve the organization. Reputation of integrity, high ethical standards, sound judgement, enthusiasm, and creativity. Ability to work collaboratively with various internal and external stakeholders. Proven managerial experience and experience as a team leader. Knowledge of technology related to accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and treasury management.





MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum


A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in a complex accounting and financial management department.





Preferred


NYS CPA license.


Experience in public accounting or governmental auditing, experience in a higher education multi-campus and/or in a municipal finance department. Experience working with Banner or similar integrated enterprise systems for financial reporting.





HIRING SALARY:

The Controller is an exempt position; compensation will be based on the college’s exempt salary and benefit plan. Suffolk County Community College offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision, vacation days, deferred compensation and a defined benefit plan.





NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE:



Suffolk County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, equal pay compensation-sex, national origin, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction or disability in its admissions, programs and activities, or employment. This applies to all employees, students, applicants or other members of the College community (including, but not limited to, vendors and visitors). Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting either of the Civil Rights Compliance Officers/Coordinators listed below. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint, serves as a witness, or assists or participates in the investigation of a complaint in any manner is strictly prohibited.





The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College's non-discrimination polices:


Civil Rights Compliance Officers

Christina Vargas

Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator

Ammerman Campus, NFL Bldg., Suite 230

533 College Road, Selden, New York 11784-2899

vargasc@sunysuffolk.edu

(631) 451-4950


or


Dionne Walker-Belgrave

Affirmative Action Officer/Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Ammerman Campus, NFL Bldg., Suite 230

533 College Road, Selden, New York 11784-2899

walkerd@sunysuffolk.edu

(631) 451-4051


In an emergency, contact Public Safety to make a report 24 hours a day/7 days a week by calling (631) 451-4242 or dialing 311 from any College phone.






Inquiries or complaints concerning alleged civil rights violations in the College’s education admissions, programs and activities may also be directed to:


Office for Civil Rights (OCR) – Enforcement Office

U.S. Department of Education

32 Old Slip, 26th Floor

New York, NY 10005-2500

Telephone: (646) 428-3800

Fax: (646) 428-3843

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

Also see: https://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm






Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination in employment practices may also be directed to:


NYS Division of Human Rights

Long Island (Suffolk)

New York State Office Building

250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 2B-49

Hauppauge, NY 11788

Telephone: (631) 952-6434

TDD: (718) 741-8300

Email: InfoLongIsland@dhr.ny.gov

Also see: https://dhr.ny.gov/how-file-complaint






U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

New York District Office

33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Telephone: (800) 669-4000

Fax: (212) 336-3790

TTY: (800) 669-6820

ASL Video Phone: (844) 234-5122

Also see: https://www.eeoc.gov/field/newyork/charge.cfm






Suffolk County Community College is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment, education, access to services, programs, and activities, including career and technical education opportunities.


A copy of the postsecondary career and technical education courses offered by the College is available and may be obtained on our website at: www.sunysuffolk.edu/explore-academics/college-catalog or by calling the Office of Admissions at 631-451-4000 to request a mailing.