Controller

About San Francisco Bay University:

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), a nonprofit, WASC-accredited university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California, seeks an innovative and experienced Controller. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers, and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good.

At SFBU, students come first. We prioritize students’ needs by fostering personal engagement among students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to providing affordable quality education with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

We encourage you to learn more about SFBU by reviewing our strategic plan at https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan.

Position Summary:

The Controller provides day-to-day oversight of accounting and business operations for San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) in keeping with GAAP, FASB, and best practices for non-profit institutions of higher education. The Controller supervises the accounting team and is responsible for accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, student financial services, cash management, audit, and tax. The controller supports the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis and partners with the CFO and University leadership in developing and implementing financial strategies that support SFBU’s mission and strategic objectives. This is a full-time, exempt/salaried position located in Fremont, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct business and accounting activities; provide technical accounting guidance; and ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, applicable law and regulation, SFBU policies and guidelines, and best practices.
• Manage all areas of accounting and financial reporting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, student financial services, procurement, fixed assets, and cash management.
• Establish, monitor, and enforce internal controls to safeguard the institution’s assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Manage the university’s financial systems, including the general ledger and Sage Intacct ERP. Manage Sage Intacct integrations with systems for student accounts, financial aid, payroll/HRIS, expense management, and banking and financial institutions.
• Oversee student accounts management in Salesforce and integration with the general ledger system.
• Oversee all daily accounting operations; review and approve all journal entries; manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.
• Maintain, update, and implement accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and business processes to support compliant, transparent, and efficient execution of the university’s business. Provide user documentation and training to foster a culture of compliance and a good internal control environment.
• Prepare financial statements and reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, for internal and external audiences, including university leadership; board of directors; local, state, and federal government agencies; accreditors; and others as may be required or appropriate.
• Monitor the university’s cash flow and investments, working with the CFO to ensure adequate liquidity is available to meet the university’s obligations.
• Act as primary liaison for external financial, governmental, and other audits conducted annually or periodically. With the CFO, address findings and implement necessary changes.
• Supervise and develop the finance and accounting team by determining key roles, recruiting and retaining top talent, and equipping the team with the resources to perform their jobs.
• Participate in professional development to maintain current knowledge and skills in all areas of responsibility.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (required).
• 8+ years of progressive experience in accounting (or 5+ years with CPA credential).
• In-depth experience with GAAP accounting standards and technical accounting.
• Excellent communication skills, including communicating technical financial concepts and information to general audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (mail, calendars, docs).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Experience supervising and mentoring a finance/accounting team, to ensure high performance and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) strongly preferred.
• Other value-add credentials include Certified Management Accounting credential and/or master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or related field.
• 2+ years accounting experience in a higher education setting; working knowledge of FASB standards and non-profit higher education finance.
• 2+ years of management experience.
• Experience with Sage Intacct and/or Salesforce, particularly experience with implementations and integrations.
• Experience with policy, procedure, and business process redesign.
• Experience with student accounts, including Title IV compliance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in leadership, change management, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess financial data, identify trends, and make recommendations.
• Strong presentation skills for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of financial management software and systems.
• Skill in developing financial policies and procedures that are clear, user-friendly, and promote a strong internal control environment.
• Ability to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and assume responsibility for contributing to SFBU’s growth.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Cultural competence and ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies in a diverse community.

Physical Demands

• Physical demands include lifting limits of up to 20 lbs, bending, sitting, standing, walking to parts of the Campus within a ¼ mile radius, and long periods of computer use.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit or stand for long periods.

Work Environment

• Job duties typically performed in an office environment.
• Business Casual.

Salary and Position Details: $130,000 - $150,000, depending on experience.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement Plan: Participation in the university’s retirement plan.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, professional development, and conference attendance.
• Paid Time Off: Generous leave policies, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.