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If you are an experienced Accounting professional with an appreciation for the arts and education, Academy of Art University invites you to apply for our Controller position. This position oversees operations for the Finance and Accounting Teams. The Controller manages financial statements such as balance sheets, invoices, accounts payable and accounts receivable. With Direction from the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller directs department operations, compiles financial reports, and statements and implements policies and procedures for financial reporting. Works closely with the Chief Finance Officer directing multiple teams, performing audits, gathering data from various departments, working with outside agencies, analyzing, and directing team on new regulations, and collections. As the right arm of the Chief Finance Officer, the Controller meets and guides department heads with budget and financial related items, administrators cash accounts, does composite score calculations including, complex transactions & analysis of financial statements.
Responsibilities:
Direct operations, including workflow and personnel, of Accounting and General Ledger/ Reporting department. Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, and access controls are verified.
Hire, train and manage accounting staff and ensure staff completes job duties in accordance with policies, procedures, and performance expectations.
Supervise preparation of financial reports and underlying analyses for: Trial Balances; Income Statements; Balance Sheets; Statements of Cash Flows; Management Reporting; External Reporting; Regulatory Reporting; Journal Entries; Reconciliations and Other Analyses or Reports, as requested. This includes periodic Internal Reports such as Cash Forecasts, Financial Forecasts, and Budgets.
Closely monitor University’s financial health and provide reports and recommendations to the Chief Finance Officer and Executive Team. Develop and monitor business performance metrics as well as recommend and implement changes to the financial systems as deemed necessary.
Oversee all reconciliations and internal control compliance of billing, cashiering payables, and expenses, including verification of related requisitions, purchase orders, shipping and receiving documents, and fixed asset recording.
Oversee all reconciliations and internal compliance of payroll calculations, employee payments, and state/federal agency compliance provided by the Payroll department and ADP.
Oversee, approve, and update internal and external communications regarding policies and deadlines for the Accounting and General Ledger/Reporting department.
Monitor, revise, and approve departmental procedures to ensure adherence to external regulations and internal policies, protection of University’s assets, effective accounting controls to prevent and detect errors and malfeasance, and conformity with sound accounting principles.
Coordinate and oversee annual audit activities and requests and assist in special audits as necessary.
Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field preferred.
A Master’s Degree and CPA license is preferred
A minimum of two years of Controller level experience preferably in Higher Education
A minimum of five years of high-volume accounting experience at a Controller level that incudes, budgeting, forecasting, data analysis, compliance, audits, cash flow management, internal controls, and expense management.
Experience managing, coaching, and motivating multiple teams.
Compensation:
$120,000 - $140,000 annually based on experience and location
This position works remotely on PST hours
Benefits:
Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start), paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester.
Application Deadline: November 10, 2025
Academy of Art University is based solely in San Francisco, California. This job opportunity may be available for remote work from a predesignated location within the contiguous United States
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Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at HR@academyart.edu.
