🚀 Assistant Vice President, Controller

Overview

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Controller serves as the chief accounting officer of Meharry Medical College, providing strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all accounting, financial reporting, and fiscal compliance activities. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the AVP, Controller ensures the accuracy and integrity of the institution’s financial statements, maintains strong internal controls, and drives compliance with all applicable accounting standards and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support the CFO by providing high‑quality financial services to college leadership.
• Ensure all accounting policies and transactions comply with GAAP, GASB, and higher‑education industry standards.
• Lead the annual audit engagement with an independent accounting firm, managing data requests, audit questions, and report reviews.
• Implement corrective action plans for audit findings and obtain CFO sign‑off on final audit reports.
• Oversee direct reports, including Assistant Controller, General Accounting Manager, and Corporate Card Accounting & Purchasing Manager.
• Prepare the annual divisional budget and manage actual performance against budgeted parameters.
• Mentor teams and supervisors to support continuous professional development and optimal operational results.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required

• Extensive knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and FASB requirements and a deep understanding of federal and state compliance regulations for higher education.
• Expertise in financial reporting, auditing, internal controls, fund accounting, endowment management, and grants administration.
• Proficiency in ERP financial systems (Workday, Banner, or Oracle), advanced Microsoft Excel, and data analysis tools.
• Strong leadership, team management, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with proven experience implementing process improvements and financial systems enhancements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of conveying complex financial information to both financial and non‑financial stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Preferred

• Background in biomedical research, grant accounting, and endowment accounting experience.
• Experience with the Workday ERP system.

Education And Experience Required

• Active CPA license; eligible for transfer to Tennessee.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field.
• Eight to twelve (8‑12) years of total experience in financial management; three to five (3‑5) years of prior Controller experience in a similar‑sized organization with a similar level of responsibility; higher‑education fund accounting experience preferred.

EEO Statement

This job description reflects the general duties and responsibilities necessary to describe the principal functions of the job, as identified, and shall not be considered an exhaustive list of job responsibilities which may be inherent in the job. 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. The responsibilities listed may be subject to change at any time and individuals may be asked to perform duties outside of their regular responsibilities to support the ongoing operations and mission Meharry Medical College and its facilities.