Senior Controller at Southern Research

Senior Controller

Position Summary:

The Senior Controller is tasked with the implementation of appropriate financial controls in order to ensure compliance with accepted accounting processes and legal requirements.  He/she is also responsible for budgeting, financial data analysis, record-keeping, and financial reporting to senior financial management. The Senior Controller is involved in all aspects of financial management, inclusive of corporate accounting, budget and forecast preparation, internal regulation, and financial reporting.

Objectives and Responsibilities

Management: The Senior Controller plays a managerial role in overseeing the activities and efficiency of the Controller. In this position he/she also validates all financial controls and procedures within the business, ensuring the adequate maintenance of proper policies and procedures in the areas of finance, accounting, government compliance and tax in order to maintain suitable internal controls that lead to complete, accurate, and timely financial reporting. The Senior Controller also manages audits of the business by working closely with external auditing firms at all stages for the purpose of guaranteeing accuracy in reporting.

The Senior Controller additionally prepares the business's annual budget in his/her managerial role and oversees financial reports from accounting teams in order to confirm precise reviews of the business's current and projected financial position, hence, ensuring integrity of information.

The Senior Controller also evaluates current policies and practices within the financial department and strives to drive continuous improvement, research, and analyses in all accounting matters. Finally, the Senior Controller has been charged with establishing and implementing accounting procedures and policies in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the state law of the business's jurisdiction.

Financial Analysis & Reporting: The Senior Controller has been tasked with analyzing, recommending, and implementing necessary improvements across the finance landscape of the business in order to ensure integrity. In this capacity, he/she generates periodic consolidated financial reporting that is timely, accurate, and usable by the business in assessing its financial position.

The Senior Controller personally reviews financial issues that directly impact the business's financials inclusive of the business's expenses that have to be reimbursed to the business and all deductible and non-deductible tax items. At the direction of the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, the Senior Controller also analyzes the financial impact of major business operational issues and decisions affecting the business and delivering timely reports as requested.

Financial Management: The Senior Controller will also perform and direct treasury functions within the business specifically including banking relationships and management. He/she supervises the business's process in order to select weekly/monthly/quarterly payments in accordance to the financial obligations and liquidity levels of the business.

He/she also coordinates the monthly and year end close process and prepares supporting schedules and work papers for the periodic financial review and financial audits. In this capacity, the Senior Controller further reviews accounting entries on a regular basis in order to ensure that there is accuracy and timeliness, maintaining a strict confidentiality of operational, financial, and business information.

Collaboration: The Senior Controller's role is a very collaborative one and, in that capacity, he/she works hand-in-hand with senior management and the executive team to uncover potentially adverse financial issues early enough to react. The Senior Controller also works directly with the IT department in ensuring that appropriate financial management technology systems and platforms are in place to expand and sustain a growth-oriented business and to ensure financial success.

He/she acts as the primary liaison for external auditors during operational, federal grant and financial audits. The Senior Controller will also work closely with the legal team, recommending appropriate structures of business or aiding in merger and acquisition financial activities.

Knowledge: The Senior Controller works to maintain knowledge and awareness across the finance department, where he/she ensures that there is compliance with all state and local regulatory requirements and that the department is up to date on all existent and developing accounting/financial principles.

Other Duties: The Senior Controller also performs similar duties as he/she deems fit for the proper execution of his/her duties and duties as delegated by the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. 

Required Qualifications, Skills and Personal Characteristics

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in Finance or Accounting. The equivalent of the same in practical experience is also acceptable. CPA certification is also desirable for the position.
• 5 years of working experience in a Controller or similar level position within a fast-paced and dynamic environment, preferably as a Controller.
• Vast proven and successful experience in progressive management and financial/accounting analysis experience in a managerial position.
• Must be highly familiar with dynamic accounting software and have a demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of financial information.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in general accounting principles and practices.
• Exceptionally good communication skills both in written and verbal form. The Senior Controller will need communication skills in his/her extensively collaborative role. His/her clarity in communicating sensitive financial information and instructions to collaborating personnel, the controller and others within the finance team will greatly enhance the accuracy with which financial tasks are executed and the efficiency with which these tasks are executed. 
• Exceptionally good communication skills in drafting reports and recommendations for senior management and leadership, reports that will be used in critical decision-making that will affect the business's direction. These reports must, therefore, be accurate, clear, unambiguous and easy to understand, which will demand good communication skills on his/her part.
• Must be highly skilled in technology and possess exceptionally good computer skills, must display exceptionally good MS Excel, MS Office, MS Outlook, and PowerPoint skills, necessary for the creation of engaging and easy-to-understand financial documentation, reports, and recommendations for senior management and leadership.
• Highly familiar with the use of financial reporting software.
• Result-oriented with a passion for change implementation and management, work comfortably in a fast-paced and fast-evolving environment and be open and welcoming to change.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, be self-motivated and proactive requiring minimal supervision.
• Strong leadership capabilities and must be able to work comfortably in a highly collaborative setting, and remain calm and composed in times of uncertainty.
• Capable of forming strong and meaningful relationships with others and be a great leader.  Must be a people person who is likable and approachable and who inspires trust and confidence in others who are then more willing to trust in his/her insights and follow his/her directives.

Core Values

Cultivating Human Connection – putting people first.  We know that every individual makes a difference and that no one can do it alone.  We believe the world's most powerful resource is human potential.  We are an inclusive and courageous team where innovation and diversity of though go hand in hand.  We understand that relationships move at the speed of trust.

Operating with Precise Execution – measuring what matters and owning results as a team.  We leverage data to drive decisions that advance science.  We recognize the importance of a stable foundation coupled with an agile mindset.  We hold ourselves accountable and take pride in our work.  We give and receive candid feedback as a gift that keeps us growing.

Harnessing Relentless Curiosity – our unstoppable, innovative force.  We are driven to ask sharp questions and push the boundaries of knowledge.  We use creativity and critical thinking as catalysts for finding solutions that change lives.  We learn by doing, consistently striving to improve our relationships, training, methodologies, questions and results.

Stewarding a Healthy Community – implementing sustainable operations for a safe, engaging environment.  We don't compromise on safety and health for our employees, customers or community.  We believe a healthy community begins with inclusive economic opportunities.  We respect the dignity of the patients we ultimately serve.  We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.

Job Specific Behaviors

Strategic Vision and Leadership – Establishes multi-year business division vision.  Participates with other senior leaders to develop the overall organization mission, vision, and strategic plan.  Committed to leadership excellence and models leadership competencies.

Strategic Decision Making - Obtains information and identifies key issues relevant to achieving a long-range goal; commits to a course of action to accomplish goal after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, constraints & resources.

Strategic Relationship Building - Uses appropriate interpersonal skills to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals and objectives; understands the role & interrelationships of each organizational function.  Possess skills in managing across functional and organizational lines.

Operational & Technical Excellence - Ensures that work products enable the organization to meet or exceed our customer's expectations.

Communications - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience.

Goal Setting - Establishes stretch goals and manages to focused outcomes.  Demands excellence.  Demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; works to do what is best for all stakeholders.

Change Leadership - Encourages others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.

Team Building - Creates a climate of teamwork to achieve objectives, taking advantage of our diversity; creates a sense of ownership and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their own capabilities.

Coaching and Development - Selects for talent.  Sets expectations and provides clear and timely feedback.  Motivates, develops self and others to foster a learning environment and openly shares information that would guide others. Uses appropriate interpersonal style to guide direct reports to action.  Selects for talent, sets expectations, provides clear feedback, motivates, develops self and others; fosters a learning environment; recognizes performance success.

Business Knowledge - Maintains external awareness of business sectors; applies knowledge of Institute's culture, business processes and tools to achieve goals.

Work Environment & Conditions

This position is required to work in an office setting using a computer for extended periods of time.  Personal involvement and exposure, including travel, to other locations is required.  This position may also include entry to laboratory or workspace areas that will require use of appropriate PPE.

Physical Demands

• Ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.
• As related to laboratory work (as applicable):
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.
• Ability to climb ladders and stairs in performing the work.
• Ability to walk for reasonable distances in performing the work.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

CPA desired