Controller - University of Puget Sound

Elevate your career in university finance with the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA! UPS is seeking a Controller to play a key role in overseeing gift, endowment, and life income fund accounting-ensuring precision, compliance, and strategic alignment with GAAP and tax standards. Reporting to the AVP of Finance, you'll lead a team of three to four and become part of a collaborative, tight-knit group that values trust, mentorship, and operational excellence. With a flexible hybrid work schedule, relocation assistance, and standout benefits-including a robust retirement plan and tuition support-this role is designed to support both your career growth and your lifestyle. Submit your application today to learn more!

Another Source's client, University of Puget Sound, is recruiting a Controller to join their team on-site in Tacoma, WA.

Here's a little about the University of Puget Sound Office of Finance and the position they are recruiting for:

The Office of Finance delivers a comprehensive range of services to the campus community, including payment processing (accounts payable), accounting, budgeting, tax compliance, financial analysis, and reporting.

In addition, the Office plays a vital role in enhancing the university's financial health through the strategic management of investment assets and debt capacity, as well as by developing cost-effective purchasing strategies that support long-term sustainability.

Learn more about the University of Puget Sound Office of Finance here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/office-finance

About the Role:

The Controller provides strategic oversight and collaborative leadership in guiding, coordinating, and monitoring the university's accounting, budgeting, tax, treasury, and financial reporting functions. This role ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), regulatory requirements, and institutional policies, while fostering cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence.

What's in it for you:

University of Puget Sound offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package.

The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $115,000 - $138,000 based on experience.

Benefits:

https://www.pugetsound.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/UPS_NH%20Benefits%20Guide-2025_121224.pdf

What you will be doing:

Leading, Managing, Collaborating, and Supervising:

Reviewing staff work to ensure clarity, high-quality output, operational efficiency, and exceptional service delivery.

• Providing supervision, leadership, mentoring, and professional development opportunities, while emphasizing team contributions and success.

• Realigning staff assignments to align with team goals and deadlines; keeping staff informed, engaged, and cross-trained.

Overseeing Accounting Functions:

• Engaging in proactive GAAP research and analysis; preparing executive summaries to communicate implications and applications.

• Reviewing and approving journal entries and assessing reconciliations prepared by team members.

• Coordinating timely and accurate financial statement preparation for ASUPS, including detailed reviews.

Managing Gift, Life Income, and Endowment Accounting:

• Reviewing reconciliation of gift reports and related documentation.

• Evaluating pledge audits, unconditional/conditional promises, and preparing related audit schedules.

• Overseeing liquidation of non-cash gifts and tracking bequest receipts.

• Reviewing market values and reconciliations for endowment and life income funds in compliance with GAAP.

• Collaborating with University Relations to manage third-party planned giving administration, including trust payments, fees, returns, and stewardship.

Coordinating Fiscal Year-End Close and Audit:

• Partnering with AVP Finance, auditors, and colleagues to execute efficient audits and year-end close processes.

• Maintaining and communicating CAP schedules, procedures, timelines, and relevant audit updates across departments.

• Supporting staff in completing year-end inventories, entries, and documentation.

• Providing oversight for internal controls and GAAP compliance during inventory processes.

• Coordinating the drafting and timely distribution of consolidated financial statements and federal audit schedules.

Ensuring Tax and Regulatory Compliance:

• Coordinating preparation and review of federal and state tax returns, including Form 990, 990-T, and non-resident alien reporting.

• Reviewing state excise, local B&O, and admissions taxes and ensuring timely payments.

• Conducting tax research and analysis, and preparing summaries of findings and recommendations.

• Supporting the preparation of life income tax returns in collaboration with third-party administrators.

• Overseeing annual property tax reporting and compliance in coordination with AVP for Business Services.

Administering Treasury and Short-Term Investments:

• Overseeing banking services and transactions, including wires, ACHs, and merchant services.

• Ensuring timely and accurate bank reconciliations and fee analyses with proper segregation of duties.

• Monitoring compensating balances to support liquidity needs and bond compliance.

• Reviewing pooled cash interest allocation and proper accounting procedures.

• Managing investments related to self-insured workers' comp, CGA, and other specialized accounts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas such as accounting, treasury, endowment accounting, and tax. Must have substantial expertise in GAAP, tax, and regulatory research, including the ability to analyze, interpret, and implement complex guidance. A minimum of three years in a management or leadership role is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in consolidation accounting, preparation of consolidated GAAP financial statements, and financial analysis. Strong proficiency with automated accounting systems and databases, including advanced data query and reporting capabilities. Experience in tax-exempt and trust tax return preparation/review, as well as endowment investment accounting and unitization, is highly desirable.

• Ability to interpret and apply complex legal, financial, and regulatory documents.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word is required.

• Ability to lead, communicate, and collaborate respectfully and effectively within a diverse campus community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA license

• Experience in a higher education or similarly complex non-profit organization.

University Diversity Statement

We Acknowledge

The richness of commonalities and differences we share as a University community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; and that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives.

We Aspire

To create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; and to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.

We Act

To achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; and to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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