Controller at University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky

Job Description:

University of Kentucky

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

Posting Details Posting Details

Job Title	Controller
Requisition Number	RE48821
Working Title
Department Name	3A000:Financial Services Administration
Work Location	Lexington, KY
Grade Level	54
Salary Range	$154,211-262,142/year
Type of Position	Staff
Position Time Status	Full-Time
Required Education	MA
Click here for more information about equivalencies:	https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience	7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification	None.
Physical Requirements	The essential job functions of this position require you to: communicate and build working relationships with individuals from various levels throughout the university;work successfully in a team as well as independently; abide by University guidelines; ensure work is detailed, accurate and completed in a timely manner.
Shift	Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm; evenings and weekends required as needed.
Job Summary	The University of Kentucky is seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to serve as its Controller and chief accountant. This key leadership role is vital to maintain and expand the University’s multi-faceted mission of teaching, research, health care, and service. The University Controller will collaborate across campus to ensure the University meets its ambitious goals. The Controller’s primary responsibilities include the following: • Oversight of internal and external financial reporting and tax compliance activities with an annual budget of approximately $8.4 billion. • Audit, update, create and implement formal policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure financial statements meet GAAP/GASB standards, comply with relevant laws/regulations and uphold the integrity of all financial data. • Provide expertise to executive staff on external regulations, internal financial operations and matters pertaining to the financial operations of the university. • Plan, direct and manage all aspects of the general ledger such as control and management of the chart of accounts and preparation of consolidated financial reporting and analysis. • Collaborate and meet regularly with departments to ensure compliance with policies and procedures while also sharing any new/updated compliance requirements. • Provide leadership, development and mentoring to six direct reports and more than 90 indirect reports to accomplish unit objectives. • Instill a culture of continuous improvement for the unit and university as it relates financial measures. • Lead special projects as requested by the Treasurer and senior leadership. • Model and promote excellent customer service by proactively engaging with the University community and external partners. This search is being led by UK’s internal Executive Search Team. For more information about the position, please contact Mary Beth Bracken at 859-257-3348 or via email at marybeth.bracken@uky.edu. The University of Kentucky is a public, land grant university dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service and health care. As Kentucky’s flagship institution, the university plays a critical leadership role for the Commonwealth by contributing to the economic development and quality of life within Kentucky’s borders and beyond. In August 2024, both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed our University’s bond rating and strong financial outlook. Standard & Poor’s said our University has an “extremely strong” enterprise profile and “very strong” financial profile, and called out our management and governance as “best in class” and “extremely strong with a rigorous and conservative budget process.” Likewise, Moody’s noted our strong management, growing revenues across both the university and academic medical center and strong fiscal stewardship. We have attained this sound financial footing in conjunction with our strategic plan -The UK Purpose (Plan for Unprecedented Research, Purposeful and Optimal Service and Education). This strategic plan ensures we can continue to educate our students and serve the Commonwealth, We’ve strengthened our commitment to hold down costs, decrease debt and increase access to the distinctive education we provide. The four-year rolling average for tuition and mandatory fee increases for our undergraduate resident students is at 2% – half of what it was a decade ago – and we are investing more than $175 million of unrestricted institutional funds in scholarships and financial aid this coming year. We are making the same commitment to invest in our employees – the people who make progress possible for so many on our campus and across the state. The University’s 2024-2025 budget marks the 11th time in the last 12 years, under President Capilouto’s leadership, that compensation for UK employees has increased. Located in the vibrant city of Lexington, the University of Kentucky is a public, land-grant institution that plays a critical leadership role in promoting economic development and human well-being. The campus is home to approximately 36,000 students, 3,500 faculty, and 22,900 staff. The University is uniquely positioned, with a major academic health center and a full spectrum of academic colleges and professional schools on one campus.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities	Successful candidates must demonstrate knowledge of and experience in finance, accounting (including GAAP, FASB, and GASB), internal controls, and reimbursement. The ideal candidate will possess deep understanding of higher education trends, issues, and risks. In addition, the candidate must have proven leadership skills and executive presence with the ability to gain respect and confidence with professional peers. It is essential that this individual possess high ethical standards, attention to detail, effective communication, results-driven approach, strong commitment to operational excellence, and the ability to build teams and relationships, results orientation and commitment to staff development.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?	Yes
Preferred Education/Experience	A Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance plus 10 or more years of fiscal planning and analysis leadership experience in a Higher Education institution. A CPA license is preferred and health care experience is a plus.
Deadline to Apply	04/06/2025
Our University Community	We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Describe your role and scope in previous positions including details about your financial oversite, financial reporting, and leadership responsibilities. Please include your current team size and organization’s size.

   (Open Ended Question)

2. * Describe your experience evaluating and making improvements to internal controls over financial reporting, compliance and laws/regulations and safeguarding assets.

   (Open Ended Question)

3. * How many years of financial leadership experience do you have in a higher education institution?
   • None
   • More than 0, up through 3 years
   • More than 3 years, up through 5 years
   • More than 5 years, up through 10 years
   • More than 10 years
4. * How many years have you been directly responsible for financial statement preparation, review, and analysis?
   • None
   • More than 0, up through 3 years
   • More than 3 years, up through 5 years
   • More than 5 years, up through 10 years
   • More than 10 years, up through 15 years
   • More than 15 years
5. * Where did you first see this position advertised other than on UK's online employment system?
   • NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers)
   • UK Executive Recruiter
   • HERCjobs.org (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium)
   • InsightIntoDiversity.com
   • Latinosinhighered.com
   • Indeed.com
   • A Colleague, Friend and/or Family Member
   • UK Job Fair
   • Diverseeducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education)
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • None of the Above

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI266122206

Salary:

$154,211.00

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