(Hybrid) Controller - Alumni Association

The Alumni Association at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Controller.

About the Opportunity

This position serves as the primary financial officer and director of business affairs for the WVU Alumni Association, which is a a 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporation. This is a high-impact, individual contributor role responsible for the end-to-end financial management of the Association. The Controller operates with autonomy to ensure the fiscal health and compliance of the organization, reporting directly to leadership while personally executing all accounting, reporting, and strategic financial functions.

Responsibilities for the position include developing financial policy for the WVU Alumni Association, establishing investment strategies for Alumni Association assets, accounting and financial reporting on the two separate units of the Alumni Association (Erickson Alumni Center and Alumni Engagement), serving as staff liaison to the Association's Board of Directors in financial related matters, coordination with West Virginia University Finance, overseeing the independent audit, and preparing and reviewing all required licensure and IRS and state filings.

Beyond high-level reporting, the Controller is responsible for the hands-on execution of all fiscal duties. This includes managing three distinct funding streams (state allocations, Association revenue, and WVU Foundation accounts) and maintaining all integrated accounting systems. You will provide critical cash flow forecasting and event-level financial tracking to ensure the profitability of Association programming. Additionally, this role holds the direct authority to process all invoices and cut checks, manages all organizational licensures, and maintains vital working relationships with the WVU Foundation, University Finance, and banking institutions.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Direct the development of policy related to the fiscal management and financial reporting responsibilities associated with the WVU Alumni Association.
• Handle accounting and financial reporting for the two separate units of the Alumni Association:

  • The Erickson Alumni Center: Manages all venue-related financial activity, including catering and rental revenue, monthly income and cash flow statements, and the collection of client receivables. This role personally records all unit expenses, maintains the depreciation schedule and allocations, and partners with the General Manager on annual budgets and forecasting.

  • Alumni Engagement: Orchestrates the financial tracking for membership, programming, and cultivation, including event-level profitability analysis and monitoring the ROI of communications and fundraising efforts. This position handles all unit deposits and payments, prepares comprehensive financial statements, and serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President of Alumni Relations for budgetary planning.

• Submit certain expenses through the University Marketplace system and assist staff with account expense coding. Also responsible for monitoring and ensuring that expenses do not exceed the $250,000 that is allocated by WVU to the Alumni Association.

• Create, monitor and update an Erickson Alumni Center building maintenance plan with the assistance of the General Manager of the Erickson Alumni Center and recommend funding sources to the Board of Directors. Also determine when and if a line of credit may become necessary and procure that funding if needed.
• Manage all banking functions, monitor three money market accounts and two checking accounts, prepare transfers between accounts, prepare monthly bank reconciliations, and review all employee credit card charges. This position oversees the credit card application process and processes for incoming credit card statements and receipts.
• Prepare all accounting and reporting on the 26 Alumni Association funds at the WVU Foundation. This includes submitting invoices for payment, transferring money from the funds as needed, summarizing monthly activity, tracking pledge receivables and reporting this activity in the Alumni Association's financial statements.
• Serve as the staff resource person for the Alumni Association Board of Directors Finance Committee, preparing reports and attending committee meetings and full Board of Directors meetings to report on the finances of the Alumni Engagement and the Erickson Alumni Center.
• Procure and review all insurance contracts, ensuring appropriate coverage for the organization, coordinate insurance coverage needs with WVU experts, and file and monitor any needed claims.
• Serve as the primary Association liaison to WVU Finance and the Association's applicable business office.
• Represent the Association at outreach programs as needed and directed.
• Other miscellaneous job duties as assigned by the Vice President of Alumni Relations.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business management or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following:
  • Public, non-profit organization, or institutional accounting, to include experience in the following areas: business administration and management, preparing financial statements, and state and federal tax preparation.
  • Working knowledge of non-profit accounting software systems.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of independent audit procedures and required documentation.
• Knowledge of financial management procedures associated with a non-profit organization.
• Knowledge of 501(c)(3) organization financial reporting, tax preparation, and accounting procedures.
• Ability to complete and file IRS 990 tax returns, Unrelated Business Income Tax forms, Business and Operating tax forms, and other required tax-related paperwork.
• Knowledge of key investment strategies and practices for non-profit organizations.
• Knowledge of accounting and financial software associated with non-profit organizational reporting. Familiarity with the operation of the Blackbaud non-profit accounting software is preferred.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal tax laws and associated institutional policies and procedures.
• Ability to complete and file all required federal, state and local licensure.
• Knowledge of procurement policies and practices associated with state, association and institutional guidelines
• Knowledge of complex procedures and applications associated with budgeting, accounting, and cost control procedures for both a private and public entity
• Ability to interpret financial reports, analyze and develop investment strategies, and prepare complex business information into organized reports.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills in describing financial information both orally and in writing.
• Ability to define and administer complex financial records and statements associated with non-profit organizational strategies.
• Ability to analyze, respond and report financial records into institutional policy and procedures.
• Ability to examine, maintain, and prepare institutional budgets, revenue stream levels, and liability information.
• Ability to assess and implement approved institutional initiatives within a non-profit organizational business environment.
• Knowledge of human resources administration relating to benefits and compensation.
• Ability to supervise professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work independently in an institutional environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed CPA
• Holding an advanced degree

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.