Associate Controller

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Administrative/Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The General Accounting office provides fiscal services to the university, promoting financial best practices, forming strategic partnerships, establishing efficient systems, and pursuing continuous improvement. Create and maintain a sustainable financial framework and strong internal controls to promote sound fiscal management, careful stewardship of university resources, and accountability. Foster innovation to support George Mason's overall mission by employing new methods to deliver financial services and collaborating on process improvements and new initiatives. Provide accurate and timely financial data to ensure comprehensive reporting, compliance, and analysis to enable strategic decision-making.

About the Position:

The Associate Controller's chief objective is to act as deputy for the Associate Vice President and Controller. The position oversees Financial Reporting and General Accounting and tax management.

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the Financial Reporting, General Accounting and tax management ensuring that units provide fiscal services to the university, financial monitoring and oversight, processes fiscal transactions, maintains the financial records (both modified cash basis and accrual basis) for the university, and provides support to the university on fiscal policies, procedures and systems;
• Responsible for process improvements and for the development of a financial framework to support strategic financial reporting and analysis;
• Attends meetings, participates in and leads committees/project teams, and responds to inquiries;
• Creates, interprets and applies policies and procedures and approves exceptions within limits of authority;
• Ensures internal controls are appropriate and routinely tested;
• Responsible for the maintenance of the chart of accounts and general ledger and subsidiary applications (currently Banner);
• Serve as the agency Security Officer for the Commonwealth's Cardinal System (Oracle);
• Oversees and ensures successful audits including, but not limited to the university GAS audit by the Auditor of Public Accounts. Supports the NCAA annual review;
• Supports and collaborates with other Finance units such as the Strategic Planning and Budget, Treasury, Student Accounts, Payroll, Internal Controls, Procurement and Accounts Payable, Fiscal Learning and Engagement, Finance Technology Services, and others. In addition, independently interfaces and collaborates with other areas of the university such as the Office of Sponsored Programs, Provost, Internal Audit, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, and Human Resources;
• Responsible for setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the university's plans and vision and communicates them to subordinates;
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks;
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching;
• Receives complaints and resolves problems;
• Maintains timekeeping and personnel records;
• Passes on information from upper management to employees and vice versa;
• Prepares and submits performance evaluations;
• Decides on rewards and promotions based on performance;
• Hires and trains new employees; and
• Ensures adherence to legal and university policies and procedures and undertakes disciplinary actions if the need arises. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience, including:
  • 3–5 years of supervisory or management experience overseeing accounting or financial reporting functions;
  • Demonstrated experience with audits, financial reporting, and internal controls;
  • Advanced knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB);
  • relevant federal and state financial reporting requirements;
• Knowledge of university financial operations, state funding processes, and fiscal policies governing higher education institutions;
• Skill in setting goals, delegating tasks, monitoring performance, and providing coaching and feedback. Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams in a finance or accounting setting;
• Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify trends, and develop actionable insights for senior management;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for explaining financial concepts to non-financial audiences and preparing clear reports;
• Skill in leading cross-functional initiatives to streamline financial processes and enhance reporting accuracy;
• Ability to interpret, apply, and develop financial policies and procedures;
• Ability to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements at the university, state, and federal levels;
• Ability to balance strategic and operational priorities, managing both day-to-day accounting and long-term financial planning;
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior administrators and external partners (e.g., auditors, state agencies);
• Commitment to ethical financial stewardship and transparency;
• Demonstrated customer service orientation toward university departments and external agencies; and
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience writing fiscal policies and procedures and interpreting state and federal regulations;
• Experience in a higher education, state government, or public sector environment;
• Experience with Banner Ellucian Finance Module, or similar enterprise financial systems;
• Experience of internal control frameworks (COSO) and experience preparing and managing for state, external, and compliance audits (e.g., GAS audit, NCAA review);
• Understanding of university-related tax compliance including unrelated business income tax (UBIT), 1099/1042 reporting, and sales/use tax regulations; and
• Familiarity with financial reporting software, spreadsheets, and data analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI).

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Associate Controller at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: December 2, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  December 15, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes