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Comptroller – University Development Foundation

ElevationHR

Jackson, MS

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$70,000–$80,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Accounting, Accounting Software, Accounting Standards and Regulations, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Auditing, Budget Reporting, Budgeting, Business Administration, Cash Flow Projection, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Coaching, Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Endowments, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), External Audit, Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Compliance, Financial Control, Financial Management, Financial Modeling, Financial Operations, Financial Policies, Financial Risk, Financial Statements, Forecasting, Foundation Grants, Fund Accounting, Fundraising, General Ledger Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Gift Management, Head of Finance, Internal Audit, Investment Services, Journal Entries, Leadership, Legal, Maintain Compliance, Microsoft Excel, Non-Profit Funding, Nonprofit, Operational Improvement, Operational Support, Operations Processes, People Management, Performance Management, Public Administration, Reconciliation, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Restricted Funds, Risk Management, Scholarship, Stewardship, Systems Administration/Management, Tax Regulations, Team Player, Technical Accounting, Training/Teaching
LOCATION
Jackson, MS
POSTED
Today
Comptroller – University Development Foundation Jackson, Mississippi | Onsite $70,000–$80,000 annually Full-Time Leadership Opportunity | Comprehensive Benefits Relocation Assistance Available Lead Financial Excellence. Protect a Lasting Legacy. ElevationHR is partnering with a historic, nationally recognized public HBCU and urban research university to identify an accomplished Comptroller for its affiliated Development Foundation. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an experienced nonprofit or higher-education finance professional to oversee the financial operations supporting scholarships, academic programs, institutional priorities, and long-term university growth. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Foundation Finance & Compliance, the Comptroller will lead accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, audits, tax compliance, gift and fund accounting, and endowment administration. The ideal candidate is a CPA who combines strong technical accounting expertise with integrity, sound judgment, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to responsible stewardship of philanthropic resources. What You’ll Lead * Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, journal entries, bank reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close. * Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with nonprofit GAAP. * Deliver financial reports, budget-to-actual analyses, cash-flow forecasts, and actionable insights to executive leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors. * Lead the annual budget process and support multi-year forecasting, scenario planning, financial modeling, and strategic decision-making. * Manage the accounting and reconciliation of charitable gifts, restricted funds, grants, planned gifts, and endowment assets. * Ensure donor-restricted resources are administered in accordance with gift agreements, donor intent, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements. * Coordinate the annual external audit and oversee IRS Form 990, state filings, and other nonprofit compliance obligations. * Strengthen internal controls, financial policies, risk-management practices, reporting tools, and operational processes. * Partner with university finance and advancement leaders, external auditors, legal counsel, investment advisors, and Foundation Board committees. * Supervise, coach, and develop the Staff Accountant, Accounting Assistant, and Gift Processing Manager. What You’ll Bring Required Qualifications * Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field. * Active Certified Public Accountant license. * Eligibility to obtain CPA reciprocity in Mississippi within 12 months of hire. * At least five years of progressive accounting and financial-management experience. * At least two years of supervisory or management experience. * Experience in nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, foundation finance, or higher-education finance. * Direct experience preparing financial statements, coordinating external audits, and managing tax compliance. * Experience preparing or overseeing IRS Form 990. * Experience supporting a Board of Directors, Finance Committee, or executive leadership team. * Strong knowledge of nonprofit GAAP, financial controls, and regulatory requirements. * Proficiency with accounting systems, Microsoft Excel, financial reporting, and data analysis. * High standards of integrity, confidentiality, accuracy, and professional judgment. Preferred Qualifications * Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field. * Experience as a Comptroller, Controller, CFO, or senior finance leader within a nonprofit, university foundation, or higher-education institution. * Experience managing endowments, restricted gifts, investment activity, grants, and charitable funds. * Familiarity with Banner Finance, CRM Advance, or comparable enterprise systems. * Knowledge of COSO internal-control frameworks, NACUBO standards, or planned-giving accounting. * Experience implementing or upgrading accounting systems, financial processes, or ERP platforms. Why Consider This Opportunity? This role offers the opportunity to strengthen the financial foundation behind an institution that has educated generations of leaders and continues to create meaningful impact through teaching, research, service, and community engagement. You will have the opportunity to protect donor intent, strengthen financial controls, improve operational performance, and provide the financial insight needed to support continued institutional growth. The university offers a stable, mission-centered work environment and a competitive benefits package that includes: * Employer-paid base medical coverage for eligible employee-only plans * Structured state retirement benefits * Generous paid leave and holidays * Employee tuition-remission opportunities * Valuable dependent tuition benefits * Long-term career stability within higher education Relocation assistance is available for the selected candidate. Additional Requirements * This is an onsite position based in Jackson, Mississippi. * Additional hours may be required during audit periods, fiscal year-end, Board meetings, and campaign reporting cycles. * Applicants must be S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. * Our client is committed to equal employment opportunity and to building a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming academic community. Ready to Make an Institutional Impact? This is more than an accounting leadership role. It is an opportunity to ensure philanthropic resources are managed with transparency, accountability, and purpose. Apply today to help build the financial foundation behind future generations of achievement. #Comptroller #ControllerJobs #CPAJobs #NonprofitFinance #HigherEducationJobs #AccountingLeadership #FoundationCareers #HBCUJobs #JacksonMS

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ElevationHR