Job description
FLSA: Salaried (Non-Exempt)
Anticipated Hiring Range: $41,352 - $150,000
Direct Supervisor: Chief Financial Officer
Lead the financial operations of a complex, student-centered organization.
Associated Students Inc. at Cal State Fullerton is seeking an experienced Controller to serve as the organization's chief accounting officer and provide leadership across accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, compliance, and fiscal operations.
This is a senior financial leadership position with responsibility for a complex nonprofit auxiliary organization and its multiple operating units, including the Titan Student Union, Student Recreation Center, Children's Center, Student Government, student clubs, and other programs and operations.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will ensure the integrity of ASI's financial operations while providing the analysis, systems, controls, and financial leadership needed to support sound organizational decision-making.
What You'll Actually Do
- Direct accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, cash management, investments, and fixed assets
- Oversee financial reporting across ASI's operating units and prepare consolidated monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
- Lead the annual budgeting process and provide ongoing budget-to-actual reporting, variance analysis, and forecasting
- Oversee capital accounting and financial management for major organizational initiatives, including ASI's planned Wellness Initiative
- Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP, CSU requirements, campus auxiliary regulations, and applicable federal and state laws
- Lead annual audit preparation and coordinate with external and campus auditors
- Oversee tax filings, regulatory reporting, and other required financial documentation
- Manage cash flow, banking relationships, investments, fixed assets, and treasury functions
- Ensure responsible stewardship of student fee revenue, grants, and other organizational funding
- Present budgets, financial results, trends, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership and governing bodies
- Lead and develop the accounting team with clear expectations for accuracy, accountability, service, and continuous improvement
- Serve as the primary owner of ASI Business Procedures and ensure policies and procedures remain current, documented, and compliant
- Oversee financial systems, data integrity, and workflow improvements, including Sage Intacct and payroll processes utilizing Dayforce
- Partner with the CFO and organizational leadership on financial modeling, multi-year forecasting, scenario analysis, and strategic financial planning
The Scope of the Role
This position requires someone who can operate at both the strategic and operational levels.
You may be reviewing consolidated financial statements and preparing analysis for executive leadership, then working with the Accounting Manager on month-end close, addressing a control or compliance issue, reviewing a capital expenditure, or meeting with a department leader about a significant budget variance.
You will also play an important role in long-term financial planning. ASI is responsible for multiple facilities, programs, and funding sources, and the Controller will help provide financial oversight for significant capital investments and organizational initiatives.
The expectation is clear: accurate financial information, strong controls, disciplined processes, and sound financial stewardship.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Seven to 10 years of experience as a Controller or senior accounting leader in a mid-sized nonprofit organization with approximately $50 million in annual operations
- Experience overseeing accounting for multiple operating units or entities and producing consolidated financial statements
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and internal controls
- Experience managing financial audits and regulatory compliance
- Experience leading and supervising accounting professionals
- Advanced financial analysis and problem-solving skills
- Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting and financial systems
- Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining organizational procedures or policy documentation
- Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex financial information to executive leadership and other stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications
- CPA, CMA or MBA
- Experience in higher education, CSU auxiliaries, or student-fee-funded organizations
- Experience supervising accounting teams in a complex, multi-unit environment
- Experience with Sage Intacct or comparable financial systems
- Knowledge of administrative and financial systems within a higher education environment
Leadership Expectations
The Controller is expected to bring sound judgment, high ethical standards, and personal accountability to the role.
Successful candidates will be able to establish clear financial standards, lead and develop a professional accounting team, and strengthen systems and controls. Just as important, they must be able to translate complex financial information for people who are not finance professionals. The Controller must be able to make financial requirements understandable, explain the “why” behind processes and controls, and help staff build the knowledge and confidence to manage their financial responsibilities effectively.
This role also requires the ability to identify problems, recommend solutions, and move work forward in an environment with multiple priorities and significant financial responsibilities.
Why ASI?
Associated Students Inc. at Cal State Fullerton is a student-governed nonprofit auxiliary supporting the largest student population in the California State University system.
ASI's financial operations support facilities, programs, services and employment opportunities that directly affect the student experience. The Controller will have a significant role in ensuring those resources are managed responsibly and positioned to support the organization's long-term priorities.
For an experienced financial leader, this is an opportunity to bring strong accounting leadership to a complex organization with a public-service and student-centered mission.
Benefits: ASI offers a https://asi.fullerton.edu/benefits-pro/ for eligible employees.
Still interested? Apply Today: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/asicsuf/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/704
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