Assistant Chief Financial Officer/Controller - 998259

Department Summary:

The Finance division consists of the finance and accounting administrative functions of the University and includes the offices of Accounting, Treasury and Endowment Management, Budgeting, Student Accounts, Payroll, and the Student Financial Aid Office. The offices of Accounting, Student Accounts, and Payroll report to the Assistant CFO/Controller. Accounting processes most accounting transactions and includes accounts payable, purchasing, and financial reporting and analysis. Student Accounts bills and collects for all tuition and fees. Payroll processes payroll for all full and part-time employees, including student employees.

Job Summary:

The Assistant CFO/Controller serves as a senior leader in Drake’s finance function and oversees the University’s financial reporting and auditing, accounting and transactional operations, internal controls and compliance, and plant accounting. The Assistant CFO/Controller manages and develops a staff of 10 and is a key strategic partner to the CFO. The Assistant CFO/Controller and CFO ensure fiscal integrity to key campus constituents including the Board and external stakeholders.

The Assistant CFO/Controller is tasked with a diverse set of financial and operational duties:
• Financial Reporting & Auditing: Oversight of financial reporting, ensuring accurate and timely preparation of annual and monthly financial statement in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Oversight of annual financial statement audit, Single Audit (for federal funds, in coordination with Office of Student Financial Aid and other offices), and external reporting requirements, including the IRS Form 990 and other regulatory filings. Ensures audit readiness, strong documentation practices, and effective coordination across functional areas.
• Accounting & Transactional Operations: Oversight of core financial operations including general ledger, accounting, accounts payable, purchasing, accounts receivable, payroll, and student accounts.
• Internal Controls & Compliance: Leads the design, implementation, and enforcement of University-wide financial policies, internal controls, and compliance frameworks. Mitigates financial and operational risk, safeguards institutional assets, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Capital Accounting and Debt Compliance: Oversight of capital asset accounting and ensure compliance with tax-exempt bond covenants and reporting requirements.
• Leadership & Strategy: Manages and develops finance staff. Promotes innovation and efficiency in both finance and overall University operations. Assists the Chief Financial Officer with long-term financial forecasting, budgeting, board reporting, and general financial strategy. Plays key leadership role in enterprise-wide initiatives and cross-functional decision-making.
• Institutional Partnership: Serves as liaison between Finance function and campus units, providing guidance on financial matters, supporting strategic decision making, and ensuring alignment between financial practices and institutional priorities. Build strong relationships across the University to enhance financial understanding, transparency, and collaboration.

The Assistant CFO/Controller will have the opportunity to significantly influence the successful implementation of Workday’s Financials systems. The Assistant CFO/Controller reports to the University’s CFO and serves as one of five members of the Finance leadership team that provides oversight and strategic direction to the Finance staff. The Assistant CFO/Controller is expected to support the University Continuous Improvement Plan initiatives and live out the University Core Values.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or similar field of study
• 5-7 years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, including some in a leadership capacity
• Exceptional Microsoft Excel and general computer skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license (can be in an inactive status)
• Experience with Workday or similar ERP systems
• Experience within higher education or not-for-profit environments
• Experience in performing financial statement audits

Job Duties:

• 25% - Financial Reporting & Auditing: Oversight of financial reporting, ensuring accurate and timely preparation of annual and monthly financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Oversight of annual financial statement audit, Single Audit (for federal funds, in coordination with Office of Student Financial Aid and other offices), and external reporting requirements, including the IRS Form 990 and other regulatory filings. Ensures audit readiness, strong documentation practices, and effective coordination across functional areas. - (Essential)
• 35% - Accounting & Transactional Operations: Oversight of core financial operations including general ledger, accounting, accounts payable, purchasing, accounts receivable, payroll, and student accounts. - (Essential)
• 10% - Internal Controls & Compliance: Leads the design, implementation, and enforcement of University-wide financial policies, internal controls, and compliance frameworks. Mitigates financial and operational risk, safeguards institutional assets, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. - (Essential)
• 5% - Capital Accounting and Debt Compliance: Oversight of capital asset accounting and ensure compliance with tax-exempt bond covenants and reporting requirements. - (Essential)
• 15% - Leadership & Strategy: Manages and develops finance staff. Promotes innovation and efficiency in both finance and overall University operations. Assists the Chief Financial Officer with long-term financial forecasting, budgeting, board reporting, and general financial strategy. Plays key leadership role in enterprise-wide initiatives and cross-functional decision-making. - (Essential)
• 10% - Institutional Partnership: Serves as liaison between Finance function and campus units, providing guidance on financial matters, supporting strategic decision making, and ensuring alignment between financial practices and institutional priorities. Build strong relationships across the University to enhance financial understanding, transparency, and collaboration. - (Essential)
• 0% - Perform other duties as assigned. - (Essential)

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits