For best consideration, complete applications should be received before October 10, 2025.

PENN WEST UNIVERSITY

 Inviting Applications and Nominations for

CONTROLLER

Pennsylvania Western University, with campuses in California, Clarion, and Edinboro, seeks a strategic and experienced professional and proven leader to serve as Controller in the Division of Finance and Administration. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced and accomplished financial officer with significant potential to influence, shape, and advance the mission of the university.

THE OPPORTUNITY

PennWest University is seeking a strategic and experienced Controller to lead our financial operations. This key leadership position provides direct supervisory oversight to the following university-based departments: Accounting, Accounts Payable, Grant Accounting, and Student Accounts ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of the University’s financial systems and reporting and is responsible for oversight of the revenue functions of the University.

The primary person responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, and reporting of daily activities for the University, the Controller ensures compliance with internal controls and compliance with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania policies and procedures. The Controller manages the relationship with the external auditors, including planning, preparing, reviewing, and complying with audit requests for the annual financial audit and the single audit; manages external reporting for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), NCAA Financial Reporting System, Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey, the federal Uniform Grants Guidance audit, state-mandated audits, and any other customary or special audits that may be required. Ensures compliance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue regulations relating to tax matters. Additionally, the Controller invoices/draws funds for federal and state grants, direct loans, and work study, and serves as the system administrator for banking, endowment, U.S. Department of Education G5, System for Award Management (SAM), and other cash and grant related systems/portals. Other key responsibilities include managing master data for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for funds and cost centers as well as student information system (SIS) billing, managing the University’s cash position, and assisting the budget office with reconciling budget to actual variances. This position also actively participates in the State System’s controller group meetings and works closely with the University Affiliates.

The Controller plays a critical role in mentoring and developing staff, while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. This position provides strategic leadership to ensure the continued growth and professional development of the accounting, accounts payable, and student accounts teams, aligning staff goals with departmental and institutional priorities. The Controller also contributes to long-term planning and decision-making within the Finance Division, helping to shape and lead initiatives that strengthen financial stewardship and operational excellence across the University. The Controller will lead and participate in campus-wide initiatives that support the development and implementation of effective and efficient business processes with a focus on technology efficiencies.

This position reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration and is an on-campus, 12-month position. The Controller can be on any of the three campuses. The preferred start date is January 2026. Travel will be required as needed from the Controller’s “home” PennWest campus to the other PennWest campuses.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing policies, procedures and systems that foster the responsible stewardship of university resources, sound accounting practices, strong internal controls, and efficient user-friendly business practices. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Institute/abide by internal controls, ensuring conformance with GAAP, GASB, FASB, IRS, PASSHE BOG policies and procedure/standards and PennWest University policies, monitoring of general ledger accounts, fund balances, and banking activities, stewardship of University resources, compliance with policies, procedures, laws and regulations, and accuracy in reporting.
• Manages the relationship with the external auditors, including planning, preparing, reviewing, and complying with audit requests for the annual financial audit and the single audit.
• Maintain an up-to-date chart of accounts and ensure campus-wide reporting availability.
• Ensures the efficient and effective use of all financial/ERP systems to support evolving accounting and reporting needs.
• Lead and participate in campus-wide initiatives that support the development and implementation of effective and efficient business processes.
• Support the Regional Procurement Office in procurement and direct pay functions.
• Manage master data for ERP (funds and cost centers) and SIS billing.
• Oversight of Fixed Assets and the financial reporting for all Capital Projects.
• Financial Analysis and Reporting for all Privatized Student and Capital Leased Housing in collaboration with Auxiliary Services leadership.
• Understanding of financial aid regulations and processes.
• Align departmental goals with institutional priorities.
• Actively engage in State System Controller group meetings.
• Supports procurement activities in collaboration with the Regional Procurement Office.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners.
• Develop departmental training as needed.
• Review and develop business processes to conform to best practices for improved effectiveness and efficiency.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of increasingly responsible, relevant professional experience and management in Accounting/Finance.
• Extensive knowledge of financial and accounting principles and practices, financial reporting, and tax regulations.
• Excellent technology skills that include proficiency with Microsoft Office with a heavy emphasis on Microsoft Excel and pivot tables, and other complex accounting systems.
• Proven leadership experience in a complex financial environment, preferably in higher education.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with external audits and regulatory compliance.
• Effective leader and manager with demonstrated ability to mentor subordinates.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Exceptional communication skills.

  Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a business program or a CPA is also preferred.
• Experience in Governmental Accounting and the SAP Financial Accounting system.
• Fund Accounting experience in a government or not-for-profit entity.
• Supervisory experience and accounting experience in higher education, governmental or not-for-profit environment.
• Also preferred is public accounting assurance/audit experience, experience in a public (GASB) higher education system with a central office, and knowledge of business office operations and integrations with an ERP, SIS, identification card, food service, housing, point of sale, and banking systems.

Western Pennsylvania

At PennWest University, students (and the Controller) have the opportunity to choose from three distinct campuses, each nestled in a picturesque, vibrant town. Whether one prefers a serene lakeside community or a campus along a sprawling river bend, PennWest offers an amazing backdrop. Each campus is located near Pittsburgh or Erie and the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania.

Long recognized as a powerhouse of American industry, Western Pennsylvania is a large geophysical and socio-economic entity. It encompasses that portion of the state to the west of the Appalachian divide and included within the Mississippi drainage system of rivers. Pittsburgh is the region’s principal city, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people and serves as its economic and cultural center. The three towns of California, Clarion, and Edinboro are primarily known for producing natural gas, oil, lumber, and coal.

While each district is comprised of exceptional public schools, each one also has excellent private schools. Each of the three towns has medical centers, hospitals, and many private physicians as well.