Job Listings

Sweet Briar is a liberal arts college for women with a long history of forging female leaders. After a near closure in 2015, the College was saved by its alumnae and underwent dramatic transformation. Today Sweet Briar College is repeatedly named by the US News and World Report as one of the most innovative liberal arts colleges in the nation. Sweet Briar College is financially stable and actively growing again, attracting students who are drawn to it for its excellent liberal arts program, coupled with distinctive programs in women leadership, engineering, sustainability, arts and its legendary equestrian program.

Located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville. Its campus is one of the nation’s most spectacular, replete with nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests, trails, and most recently, vineyards, apiary and greenhouses.

The College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women's leadership in the 21st century and undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching. It is one of only two womens colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. The women’s leadership core curriculum is innovative and energizing. When students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who know how to think on their feet and bring people together. No matter what they study or where they go, Sweet Briar women are prepared to lead. The campus community is a family of faculty, staff, coaches, and alumnae who support and encourage students and each other. With an average class size of eight students, students lead research, ask questions and forge supportive relationships with faculty that can last for decades.

Job Title: Controller

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Vice President for Finance, Operations and Auxiliaries Enterprises

Job Summary/Objective:

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance, Operations and Auxiliaries Enterprises, the Controller will serve as a lead member of the financial leadership team to provide technical, developmental, and managerial leadership in maintaining the College’s stable financial condition by effectively directing and guiding the College’s financial accounting and reporting systems. Given the expanding nature of the College’s operations, the position will expand in responsibility, content, and impact.

The Controller must be passionate about the mission of a women’s college and appreciate the value of a liberal arts education. The successful candidate will engage in both tactical and longer-term financial planning and evaluation, as well as resource management. He or she will serve as a collaborative administrator, working closely with managers within Finance & Administration (facilities, grounds, IT, HR, campus safety, auxiliaries) as well as on financial matters related to Academics, Athletics, Communications, Alumnae Relations & Development, Student Life and Enrollment Mgmt.

Significant involvement and oversight of treasury management, gift and grant accounting processes, endowment management accounting, and annual financial audit are all part of the Controllers role.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Accounts Payable/Purchasing Specialist
• Cashier/Accounting Assistant
• Staff Accountant
• Director of Student Accounts/Bursar
• Senior Accountant

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plan and direct the operation of the Business Office. Maintain overall responsibility for General Accounting, Endowment Accounting, Accounts Payable, Student Accounts, and detailed record keeping.
• Manage the Banner Finance Module and ongoing enhancements.
• Coordinate and provide support for the annual and special audits.
• Direct the preparation of monthly financial reports; coordinate with the VP of Finance, Operations, and Auxiliaries Enterprises.
• Review and track the auxiliary units, updating each monthly P&L statement.
• Manage various leases and contracts.
• Set up and monitor capital project funds.
• Assist with sales tax, property tax and business licenses, as needed.
• Manage the current cash investments and overall cash position.
• Review weekly invoices to ensure disbursement of funds follows the approved budget and contract management terms.
• Perform a high level review of the biweekly payroll with HR before it is released.
• Complete or review data for various surveys such as IPEDS, Moody’s, etc
• Gather information for annual 990 return.
• Develop and maintain written policies for department systems and procedures that ensure adequate internal accounting control and efficiency.
• Consult with administrators, faculty, and student organizations regarding accounting and fiscal matters.
• Supervise and develop staff that is well qualified, trained, and motivated to perform duties professionally and efficiently.
• Function as a liaison with banks, investment managers, and other financial institutions.
• Insure office technology is maintained at a level consistent with operational needs.
• Ensure contracts with third party vendors (e.g. banks, collection agencies, loan processor, credit card vendors, payroll processor) are maintained at favorable market rates.
• Support the AVP of Budget and Financial Planning with a variety of tasks, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Finance, Operations, and Auxiliaries Enterprises.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field
• Six years in accounting with three years in a supervisory capacity
• Some experience in the Higher Education Accounting environment
• Strategic vision with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment and astrong operations and systems focus
• Well organized and self-directed individual who exhibits a high level of integrity
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Intelligent and articulate, able to relate to people at all levels of an organization
• Strong in Excel, PowerPoint, written communication, and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA license
• Ten years of progressive fiscal responsibility
• Ellucian Banner experience
• Progressively more responsible experience in a college or university business office, including knowledge of higher-education, required topics, e.g., 990s and endowments

Work Environment: Office environment, primarily indoors, although some work in external, varying weather conditions may be required.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours: Full time, Monday-Friday 8:30 – 5:00 pm. May work extended or non-standard hours based on project or business needs. Ability to work occasional nights and weekends required.

Physical Demands: Extensive periods of sitting/standing and computer work are required. Ability to lift 15+ pounds.

Travel: As needed for professional development, compliance training, etc.

Deadline for Submission: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

How to Apply: Please ensure you have attached a cover letter, résumé and three professional references to your online application, and that you have fully completed the online applicant profile information.