Human Resources

Title

Associate Controller, Michigan Tech Fund

(Relocation eligible) 

Location

Houghton, Michigan

Overview

The Associate Controller is responsible for the day-to-day financial and operational accounting duties of the Michigan Tech Fund, a nonprofit foundation that supports the University. The Associate Controller is an integral part of the Financial Services and Operations (FSO) department and reports to the Controller and Executive Director of FSO.

The Financial Services and Operations (FSO) department reports to the CFO/ Senior Vice President for Administration and consists of 17 professional positions and 10 administrative support positions. Led by the Associate Vice President for Finance, the FSO team performs financial functions of Michigan Technological University and the Michigan Tech Fund (“Fund”) including financial reporting, investment and treasury management, bond issuance and compliance, accounts payable, accounts receivable, student billing, property, plant, and equipment, purchasing, tax compliance, and budgeting, planning, and forecasting. FSO is seeking a motivated and collaborative individual with strong critical thinking skills to replace an employee with 23 years of experience who is retiring on June 30, 2024.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan. With more than $100 million in total research expenditures and 18 research centers and institutes, Michigan Tech fosters a world-class and diverse faculty, staff, and student population and is home to more than 7,200 students from 69 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, MTU offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. We are Michigan’s flagship technological university, grounded in and fueled by our shared vision: to improve the quality of life and to promote mutual respect and equity for all people.

Responsibilities

• Perform monthly duties such as: running allocation process for endowment investment returns to all endowment funds (the Fund holds and manages the $160 million endowment for the University), preparing investment and bank reconciliation, performing pledges receivable reconciliations, and posting adjusting journal entries.
• Analyze allowance for uncollectible accounts for pledges receivable.
• Forecast and transfer administrative fee revenue from the Fund to the University.
• Execute the Endowment Cash Management Policy.
• Prepare daily reconciliation of credit card transactions of donations received.
• Prepare fiscal year-end closing activities, including the preparation of work papers for the annual external audit of the Fund.
• Oversee the Fund’s accounts payable function and prepare disbursement requests for Fund’s operating expenses.
• Maintain the Chart of Accounts of the Fund, which includes the creation of new funds, account codes and gift designations.
• Oversee the Fund’s cashiering function.
• Assist campus constituents as needed with financial matters.
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Advancement regarding matters related to donations and pledges.
• Review, monitor, and maintain appropriate internal controls over financial transactions.
• Perform variance analysis. Research and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
• Prepare regular and special reports and analysis for administrators as requested.
• Attend MTF Investment committee and Finance and Audit committee meetings.
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive, relevant work experience in accounting and/or finance operations that can be demonstrated to be applicable to the duties and responsibilities.
• Excellent computer skills including: experience using advanced features of spreadsheets, computerized accounting systems, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated ability to perform detail-oriented work in a demanding environment with the highest standards of accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain constructive and cooperative relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, written/oral communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow projects and issues to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain the security and confidentiality of sensitive data.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Professional experience in Higher Education or similar Non-Profit organization.
• Experience using ERP software Ellucian Banner.
• Experience with reconciling multiple investment portfolios.
• Experience extracting and analyzing data/developing reports from computerized accounting systems.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.
• CPA helpful, but not required.

Benefits

• Health Insurance - multiple options available and covers massage therapy when prescribed by a doctor
• Wellness benefits – voluntary program to earn money toward your HSA or Tech gift card
• Access to FSA Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care FSA
• 24 days of annual paid vacation accrual
• 13 days of annual sick leave with up to 60 days carryover
• Parental Leave paid time off
• 9 Holidays observed by MTU
• 2 personal days paid
• Discounted access to university facilities and programs
• Employee Assistance Program with 8 covered counseling sessions
• Short-term disability with 70% pay replacement
• Long-term disability with 60% pay replacement
• Basic Life Insurance
• Vehicle, product, and services discounts
• Estate planning services
• Little Huskies Child Development Center
• Employee Education Assistance Program – 100% tuition expense covered for eligible employees
• Tuition Reduction Incentive Program – spouses and dependents receive 50%-75% tuition discount
• Defined Contribution Plan 403(b) Michigan Tech matches up to 8.5% employee contributions.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed 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.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.