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Controller-Director of Finance

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Job Details

Title

Controller-Director of Finance

Location:

Los Angeles Campus-Ontario

Department:

Business Services

Reports To:

 CFO/VP of Business Services

Exempt:

Yes

Type:

Full-Time 

Effective:

February 2025

Position Summary:

The Controller and Director of Finance oversees the Seminary’s financial and accounting activities in accordance with the policies and practices of the Seminary, and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. This role requires individual contributions as well as leadership of a small team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 The following duties are considered essential to the job.  With or without reasonable accommodation, qualified individuals must have the ability to perform the following duties: 
  • Maintain the financial statement and general ledger modules within the accounting software system for assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in accordance with GAAP and fund accounting principles. Provide oversight of accounting policies, procedures, and related operational practices.
  • Manage the development and implementation of the financial plan for the control of operations; profit planning, revenue forecasts, expense budgets, teaching costs standards, and capital investments; recommend budgets and saving opportunities in partnership with CFO, prepare budget revisions.
  • Plan, organize, select, motivate, evaluate, and recommend training for a staff of 3 direct team members, oversee the functions of the department including work allocation and problem solving, and provide routine management reports to the CFO regarding the performance of the departments.
  • Analyze operations by comparing performance with operating plans and standards, provide reports and interpretation of the results on operations at all levels of management, and prepare financial statements and special reports, including investment portfolio performance, as required.
  • Forecast, manage, and develop short-range and long-range cash requirements. Work with banks and investment managers to manage cash needs.
  • Analyze, consolidate, and direct all financial activities ensuring protection for the assets of the Seminary through internal control, internal auditing, and insurance management in partnership with the CFO.
  • Prepare key reports and updates for Board of Director meetings including Investment Committee.
  • Monitor performance of student receivable balances including outstanding loans and execute cash disbursements for payment of expenditures in accordance with disbursement policies.
  • Serve as lead contact for annual audit. Lead effort to prepare required audit client documents.
  • Perform additional duties as required by management in order to advance Seminary strategy.

Job duties are not limited to the list shown above and may be revised from time to time as deemed appropriate by the Seminary.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manages employees in the Finance Department and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Core Values:

The candidate must possess a strong commitment to the mission of Gateway Seminary, be an active member of an evangelical Christian church. A clear understanding of Baptist history, organization, polity, and culture is a plus.

Gateway Seminary is a confessional institution owned by the Southern Baptist Convention. While the seminary serves the larger evangelical Christian community, employees must embrace the values and standards the seminary represents as it fulfills its mission of shaping Christian leaders. Employees are expected to abide by the Biblical doctrines stated in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, as well as the requirements stated in our bylaws.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
Service Manages difficult or emotional situations with reason; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
Interpersonal Skills Possesses a high regard for the worth of others; Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
Problem Solving Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Facilitates and works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Technical Skills Understands non-profit accounting and finance; has a working appreciation of accreditation requirements in higher education; has strong analytical skills and able to synthesize complex or diverse information; able to draw upon intuition and experience to complement data. Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
Communication Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Writes clearly and informatively; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents quantitative data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
Teamwork Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Promotes atmosphere of constant improvement.
Management Able to manage a diverse set of organizational functions and motivate the distinctly unique employee skill sets required in each.
Managing People Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; availability to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
Leadership Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
Professionalism Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments; maintains the highest integrity.
Strategic Able to look beyond the immediate to envision the changes needed in meeting the needs of tomorrow; able to look beyond the way things have been done to see new approaches.
Time Management Ability to consistently meet critical time deadlines in preparing financial reports, paying taxes and managing cash flow.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Strong commitment to the mission of Gateway Seminary, and be an active member of an evangelical Christian church. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: BA degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA or equivalent preferred; 8+ years of experience gained through increasingly responsible management positions within Finance; and affiliation with successful Seminary or higher education institution preferred.
Skills: Language Skills: English Required. Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner. Ability to read and interpret academic documents such as customer guidelines and procedures information. Ability to speak effectively before customers or employees of organizations. Ability to communicate effectively and specifically to address problems with management. Ability to lead and influence people or groups of people toward the achievement of goals.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to perform advanced quantitative analysis and calculate key financial ratios. Able to read and assess published financial statements.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and regulations/laws furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form pertaining to the industry. Strong negotiation and analytical skills. Ability to research root causes of financial discrepancies or problems and implement or recommend corrective actions.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Accounting software; database software; Microsoft Excel and Word processing software.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee should be capable of lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, though moderate noise can occur at meetings and social events. It is a well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.

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