Job No. 156726
- Job Title:
- Assistant Controller
- Employer:
-
Otterbein College
- Location:
-
Westerville , OH
- Posting Date:
- 14-Oct-2025
- Description:
-
DESCRIPTION
Otterbein University is in search of an Assistant Controller. The Assistant Controller provides financial leadership for Business Services and the university community. They bring knowledge, experience and integrity to maintain accurate financial data, guide and direct staff, produce tax returns and create useful and timely financial reports. Their excellent analytical and problem-solving skills along with strong interpersonal and customer service approach make them successful in this role. This is a full-time, exempt position working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year.
Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Tuition benefit to employee, spouse or domestic partner and dependents
Accrue 4 weeks of paid vacation
10 days paid sick time
12 paid holidays plus bonus days
Medical, dental and vision insurance to you, dependents or domestic partner
Life Insurance
Defined contribution retirement plan
and much more
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide leadership in the Business Service areas of accounting, payables, payroll, procurement and student accounts. Directly supervise accounts payable and procurement staff.
Responsible for all payroll tax remittances, quarterly and year-end payroll reconciliations and tax return filings.
Prepares University financial statements including reconciliations, sub-schedules, balance sheet, cash flow and footnotes.
Participates in the annual financial audit. Coordinates with external auditors and university staff. Prepares audit requests, bank confirmations, annuity and trust schedules and reconciliation of fixed assets. Reviews all balance sheet reconciliations.
Prepares Form 990 and 990T by working closely with the Controller and Senior Accountant to compile necessary information, coordinate with external tax accountants on finalizing the returns. Arrange for review by the Board of Trustees Audit and Risk Committee.
Oversees all capital plant and fixed asset financial processes. Sets up new projects and coordinates with departments on funding, monitors GL for capital expenditures, prepares depreciation schedules. Works with CFO and Risk Manager on insurance claims by collecting all financial information.
Provides leadership for accounts payable including reviewing and approving invoices, coordinating with IT to maintain the Chrome River system, and assist with processing as needed. Help develop policies and procedures. Oversee training. Coordinate 1099 reporting.
Participate in redesign of university procurement process.
Banking responsibilities include direct deposit files for payroll and AP, domestic and international wires, maintaining relationships with banking partners, coordinating bank and investment access for approved personnel.
Other duties: Performs chart of accounts maintenance in Banner by setting up new funds, indexes and accounts. Maintains accounting records and audit work papers in compliance with record retention policies. Develops and maintains Business Office related procedure manuals for the University. Prepares, reviews and approves journal entries.
Performs other duties and projects as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Accounts Payable Coordinator, AP / Purchasing Specialist
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific skills include:
Strong analytic and problem-solving abilities.
Strong background in use of technology and analytical tools. Knowledge and proven experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and their capabilities, software solutions, spreadsheet and database functionality. Banner experience preferred.
The ability to work independently, manage details, organize and prioritize.
Strong accounting, analytical and process planning skills.
Strong leadership skills, excellent verbal and written communicator with the ability to work collaboratively with all campus areas to further University priorities; and
Ability to manage confidential data appropriately.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, CPA preferred, audit experience, minimum of five (5) years’ experience in higher education, non-profit and/or public accounting; Banner experience preferred; tax experience desirable.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: CPA preferred.
REASONING ABILITY: Critical thinking and strong analytical skills are required along with the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines with speed, accuracy and attention to detail. Must possess excellent problems solving skills. Must develop strong working relationships with team members and university constituents in order to lead, train, listen and guide. Must maintain confidentiality.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Must be competent in business math common to the accounting profession.
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and government accounting standards for higher education institutions. Knowledge of accounts payable procedures and payroll regulations; data entry capability; strong analytical skills and spreadsheet capability; must have a good understanding of computerized accounting, payables and payroll systems. Must take pride in and be thorough in quality of work produced; must be able to use general office equipment including office PC, copier, telephone, facsimile machine, etc.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must demonstrate competency in verbal and written English skills including grammar. Ability to communicate effectively with all members of the campus community - faculty, staff and students.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Must be able to spend prolonged periods of time working on an office PC; able to reach, lift to 10 pounds, travel throughout office to use other office equipment; must be able to hear and make self heard by co-workers and other constituencies; must be able to see to process work that the position is responsible for completing; must be able to work under deadlines with constant interruptions. Must be able to meet regular and predictable attendance standards.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Duties are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting.