Associate Controller For Financial And Tax Reporting

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and solutions to service industry and benefit society. Mines has a strong reputation and celebrates high rankings due to its STEM-focused education and research results.

The Office of Finance, Administration and Operations (FA&O) provides critical support to the mission and forward-thinking strategic initiatives while managing $325 million in operating activity, stewarding $1 billion in assets, and supporting 1400 faculty and staff. The Controller's Office is within FA&O and provides oversight for financial reporting, compliance, student billing and receivables, campus shared services, and payroll.

The Associate Controller for Financial and Tax Reporting reports directly to the Controller and collaborates with staff and leadership across campus, to ensure accurate, timely, and accessible financial information used to inform strategic decisions and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.

The Associate Controller leads the university's financial and tax reporting unit. They manage the preparation of financial reports for the Board of Trustees and the audited Annual Financial Statement package. This position collaborates with campus units to ensure the implementation of GASB and other regulatory compliance requirements. They coordinate the action items resulting from internal and external audit recommendations, provide guidance on financial transactions and serve as the expert for the tax treatment of various campus activities. The Associate Controller is a key advisor to the Controller, Deputy CFO and the CFO. They regularly represent the Controller's Office and are expected to make independent decisions and provide recommendations to campus leadership.

This is a professional position that requires exceptional analytical and communication skills. Collaboration with other financial partners and key personnel within the university is critical for success. In addition, the Associate Controller must be able to work independently, research and resolve issues, and strategically implement financial policies and procedures for the university. They will communicate complex financial information in a consumable format for a broad audience. The ideal candidate has a can-do attitude, enjoys working with diverse groups, and collaborating with others to resolve unique challenges.

This position may have a hybrid work location (in Colorado) and requires a routine on-campus presence. The Colorado School of Mines provides dedicated professional development and training. Onboarding for this position includes training on policies and procedures, and technical training opportunities for systems and technology required for this role.

Colorado School of Mines is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead and Manage Financial Reporting for the University

The Associate Controller is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate financial information for internal and external users. This includes but is not limited to:

• Preparing the full annual financial statement package that includes the Management Discussion and Analysis, financial statements, footnotes and the required supplementary information.

• Preparing monthly and quarterly financial statements with variance analysis for executive leadership and the Board of Trustees. This includes trend and ratio analysis with comparisons to peer universities.

• Serving on the university wide data governance committee for financial information.

• Preparing and advising on standardized and ad hoc financial reports for campus users.

• Preparing and reconciling financial data exports to the State of Colorado financial system and preparing annual financial exhibits for the State ACFR.

• Assisting with the submission to legislative fiscal notes.

• External reporting to higher education constituents (e.g. IPEDS, Department of Higher Education, NCAA and Federal agencies).

Manage the University's Tax Filings

This position ensures the timely and accurate filing for tax documents and payments. Examples include:

• Calculating and submitting the annual filing for Unrelated Business Income Tax

• Ensuring sales taxes are calculated, collected, and submitted.

• Managing and filing for the applicable tax credits that may be due to the university.

• Advising and ensuring payroll taxes are properly withheld, accounted for and paid timely.

• Preparing and submitting the annual filing for the university's Application for the United States Residency submission and other various submissions as needed.

Ensure the Implementation and Adoption or Internal Controls and Regulatory requirements

The Associate Controller is responsible for leading the implementation of new regulations and reporting requirements and ensuring proper internal controls are effective throughout the organization. Common duties include:

• Implementing and operationalizing new Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB's) and other reporting requirements that may include ONR, federal research agencies, State statutes, and other regulatory agencies.

• Managing the annual financial audit and coordinating/assisting with other external audits such as the Research and Development audit, Federal audits, and other State-led Program audits.

• Coordinating action items and due dates resulting for internal and external audit findings.

• Ensure business processes are designed to provide controls that are both efficient, but also mitigate risk. Provide reviews of business processes deemed high risk for the university.

Provide leadership for the Controller's Office

The Associate Controller is a key advisory role for the Controller's Office and Executive Leadership. This position will manage high level professional staff and must be able to represent the Controller to internal and external constituents.

• They will be responsible for a dynamic team that requires continued professional development and strategic visioning.

• They must ensure an inclusive and respectful work environment with a team capable of working through new challenges, responsive to ad hoc requests, able to meet important deadlines, and is highly accountable for accuracy in their work product.

• The Associate Controller must be able to present technical information in a consumable format for broad audiences, provide training to campus constituents, and incorporate critical feedback in their operations.

• This position is key for identifying compliance gaps, researching new regulations and providing recommendations to leadership regarding the financial treatment and reporting of campus activities.

Minimal Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

• 5 years of progressive experience that includes financial statement preparation, audit, and/or management.

• Progressive experience in applying GAAP, GASB or FASB regulations.

• At least 3 years of supervising professional level staff.

• Demonstrated strong financial analytical skills.

• Experience with presenting detailed financial information in a consumable format to broad audiences.

• Strong report writing skills using various platforms.

• Exceptional communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience operationalizing new guidance or regulations.

Desired Qualifications:

• Audit management experience

• Experience managing a financial team in higher education

• Fund accounting experience

• Tax reporting experience

• Master's Degree in Accounting, or related field.

• Demonstrated experience with implementing change or business process improvements.

• Ability to build and manage dynamic teams that can overcome challenges and meet deadlines.

• Experience providing financial training to a diverse audience.

Salary and Benefits

$138,000 - $152,000

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate's education, training and experience as well as the position's scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options

• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year - including a week-long winter break for entire campus.

• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution

• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)

• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center and the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP). Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants must:

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

While this posting will remain open until filled, application review will begin October 1, 2024. Please apply by September 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. for full consideration; applications received after that date may not be reviewed.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities to promote diversity and inclusion at Mines. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation including a credit check is required for this position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

Our size - roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students - also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus - nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails - and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting