William & Mary (W&M) seeks an experienced, collaborative, and strategic Controller to ensure the university is prepared to address complex strategic and financial challenges in the ever-changing public education landscape. The Controller should be a collaborative team player, an effective problem solver, and an ethical leader.
William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, founded in 1693. Renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and public service, W&M offers a dynamic and intellectually rigorous environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and global engagement. As a Public Ivy, the university combines the resources and opportunities of a major research university with the close-knit, personalized experience of a smaller liberal arts institution. William & Mary enrolls more than 9,700 students, including more than 6,500 undergraduates, almost all (99 percent) full-time. Thirty-four percent identify as students of color, and the undergraduate student body is roughly 65 percent in-state. Students come from across the United States. Nearly 70 percent of undergraduates live on campus; 80 percent participate in mentored research with faculty. More than 17,500 undergraduate students applied for admission to the Class of 2027, and over 1,600 matriculated. The university is home to 680 full-time instructional faculty members: 419 are tenured, 97 are tenure-track, and 164 are non-tenure eligible. W&M faculty members are recognized for excellence in teaching and for outstanding research mentoring at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The undergraduate student-faculty ratio of 13:1 is the lowest among top public universities. Eighty-five percent of undergraduate classes have fewer than 40 students; nearly half have fewer than 20 students. With Carnegie classification as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity, W&M aims to strengthen and grow its research portfolio.
The University Controller provides finance, accounting, and operational expertise to a professional staff responsible for the university’s financial statements, accounts receivable, payroll, student accounts, internal controls, tax compliance, and banking and financial services. The position leads a team of professionals and directs processes related to the financial operations of William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), ensuring financial integrity, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and the accuracy and timeliness of all financial transactions and reporting. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the University Controller serves as the university’s fiscal officer for the state, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and the development of a strong system of internal controls to certify that transactions are properly and accurately reflected in CARDINAL, the state’s accounting system. The incumbent serves as the primary representative to the Fiscal Officers of College and University State Supported (FOCUS) group to further the fiscal coordination among state institutions and promote the professional development of university staff.
Specific responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Ensuring that key business functions, (including payroll, travel reimbursements, cash advances, student accounts, and collections) are managed effectively and provide a high level of customer service to meet the business needs of the university community.
- Ensuring that the university consistently meets or exceeds state management standards in the assigned areas of responsibility.
- Advise the CFO on regulatory issues impacting the university’s financial operations.
- Overseeing the university’s financial compliance functions including internal controls for the annual ARMICS Certification to the Commonwealth of Virginia and tax compliance.
- Overseeing the preparation of the university’s consolidated annual financial statements including affiliated foundations and other entities reporting to the W&M Board of Visitors.
- Managing the annual audit process with the Auditor of Public Accounts and other audits as requested or required by governmental agencies.
- Shepherding expertise in support of the university’s investment and cash management strategies.
- Ensuring the integrity of the university’s chart of accounts, financial data control, and integration with the university’s financial system of record.
- Negotiate Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Indirect Cost Rate Proposal for William & Mary and VIMS.
The ideal candidate will possess a blend of financial expertise, leadership acumen, analytical abilities, and a deep understanding of higher education's unique challenges and opportunities. The Controller will play a pivotal role in shaping the university's future.
A bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field, with substantive and progressively responsible experience and expertise related to the position, and an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license are required.