Assistant Vice President of Finance, Control

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Job description

Position Type: Full-Time, Benefited

Work Location: Westminster University Campus
1840 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

About Westminster University:

Westminster University is a private, independent, and comprehensive university in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more than 150 years, Westminster has combined academic excellence with a strong sense of community and purpose. Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, the university offers the energy of a growing metropolitan area alongside world-class outdoor recreation just minutes from campus.

Our campus is collaborative, student-centered, and grounded in academic integrity. Faculty and staff work closely with students to foster critical thinking, career readiness, and meaningful engagement beyond the classroom. Employees are supported in their professional growth and encouraged to bring forward ideas that strengthen the university.

Westminster is committed to creating a workplace where people thrive – offering flexibility, generous time off, and a culture that values balance, inclusion, and innovation.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, The Associate Vice President of Finance / Controller provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the University’s financial operations. This position is responsible for ensuring the integrity, transparency, and efficiency of all financial processes, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting support, grants accounting, and internal controls.

Serving as a key member of the Finance leadership team, the AVP/Controller oversees the daily operations of the Finance Department and works collaboratively across the institution to support sound financial stewardship and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The role also leverages financial systems and analytics tools including Power BI and higher education ERP systems including Colleague or Banner to enhance reporting, data visibility, and decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • Minimum 7-10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferably in higher education or nonprofit organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience overseeing accounting operations and financial reporting.
  • Experience with Ellucian and higher education ERP systems including Colleague or Banner.
  • Advanced proficiency in Power BI or comparable financial data analytics tools.
  • Strong knowledge of financial controls, and audit processes.
  • Proven leadership, organizational, and strategic planning skills and people management.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • CPA or CMA certification strongly preferred.
  • Experience with higher education, financial operations and grants management.
  • Experience implementing financial reporting dashboards and analytics tools.
  • Familiarity with federal grant compliance and Uniform Guidance.
  • Financial reporting and compliance
  • Data analytics and business intelligence
  • Process improvement and operational efficiency
  • Collaborative leadership and team development
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Strategy

  • Provide leadership and oversight for all accounting and financial reporting functions of the University.
  • Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial statements in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Support the CFO in strategic financial planning, forecasting, and institutional financial initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard University assets.

Accounting & Financial Operations

  • Oversee the University’s general accounting operations including:
  • General ledger
  • Accounts payable
  • Accounts receivable
  • Cash management
  • Fixed assets
  • Financial reporting
  • Manage month-end and year-end closing processes.
  • Coordinate the annual external audit and preparation of required financial reports.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and regulatory financial reporting requirements.
  • Coordinates the compilation and development of the institution’s Annual Financial Statements and related reports, 990 Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax and 990-T Unrelated Business Income Tax Report (UBIT), and compliance with Bond Covenants.

Leadership & Department Oversight

  • Manage the employees in the accounting services area. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include:
  • Interviewing, hiring, and training accounting employees
  • Planning, assigning, and directing work
  • Performance reviews, creating Performance Improvement Plans
  • Addressing complaints and resolving problems.

What we offer:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan with a 5.5% employer contribution
  • Tuition Remission (after a qualifying period of employment)
  • 18 Paid Holidays Annually
  • Cell Phone Plan Discounts

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Westminster University is committed to a diversified workforce, equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination. To this end, Westminster prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on race or ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, disabilities, genetic information, status as a veteran, or any other category or classification protected by applicable federal, state, or city laws.

Westminster University is committed to a diversified workforce, equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination. To this end, Westminster prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on race or ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, disabilities, genetic information, status as a veteran, or any other category or classification protected by applicable federal, state, or city laws.

How to apply

To be considered, please submit a complete application that includes:

  • CV or Resume
  • Cover Letter

Submit your application at: Assistant Vice President of Finance and Controller – Westminster University