Assistant Controller, Financial Operations-Hybrid Schedule

Assistant Controller, Financial Operations-Hybrid Schedule

• 559240
• Manhattanville
• Controller
• Full Time
• Opening on: Aug 22 2026
• Grade 16

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• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: full-time-35 hours/wk
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $230,000-$260,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University''s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the University Controller and Associate Vice President, the Assistant Controller, Financial Operations oversees a portfolio of financial operations for the University. The broader Controller's Office includes Financial Reporting & Operations, Fringe Benefits & Pension Accounting, Post-award administration of sponsored projects, Tax, Payroll, and International Operations. The Assistant Controller's portfolio will initially include some or all of the following departments: Payroll, Fringe Benefits accounting & reporting, and process enhancements including implementing process improvement initiatives and system implementations across the Controller's organization. This portfolio is subject to change. The Assistant Controller is a senior advisor and key member of the Finance leadership team and is responsible for strategically leading a team of 10+ to support the University''s operational and compliance needs.

Responsibilities

• Fringe Benefits Accounting and Forecasting Oversees the Executive Director of Fringe Benefits and their team responsible for monthly accounting, reporting and forecasting of all fringe expenditures and recoveries totaling over $1.8B in activity. The role includes close monitoring of the fringe pool and collaboration with various stakeholders, including HR Benefits, University Work Life, Benefit providers, Union administration officials, etc.

Payroll

Oversees the Payroll team who are responsible for managing the accurate and timely payment of compensation exceeding $4.43B to over 34,000 University employees utilizing the PeopleSoft system, as well as ensuring the timely payments and returns for all federal, state and local taxes and management of all related audits, and the accurate posting of all expenses to the University''s financial accounting system.

Process Enhancement and System Implementations

The Assistant Controller partners with leaders across the Controller's organization to implement technology solutions that streamline business processes, strengthen financial operations, and drive operational efficiencies while also providing project management support to ensure initiatives are delivered effectively and on time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree or advanced degree in accounting, business administration or finance.
• Ten years related experience, including management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• An MBA, CPA and/or CIA designation is strongly preferred.

• Experience in higher education and/or payroll operations strongly preferred.

• PeopleSoft or other ERP experience a plus.

• Large-scale project implementation experience is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills required.
• Ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of senior University administrators essential.
• Must be able to negotiate issues, resolve problems and have strong influencing skills.
• In addition, the successful candidate must have a good understanding of the effect change will have on the organization, be able to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature.
• Must be experienced at senior level presentations.
• In addition, the successful candidate must be a strategic thinker, with an open and collaborative style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation, and a strong role model, manager and coach, with the ability to provide a positive working and learning environment for staff, as well as to develop a first-class service organization that responds effectively to inquiries and engenders trust from the University community.
• Must have a demonstrated passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality, as well as very high energy levels.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.