Assistant Controller

Why Work at BYU   

As the flagship higher education institution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University (BYU) strives to be among the exceptional universities in the world. At BYU, we are devoted to our faith and to our students. We take an active role in the University's Mission: "To assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.” 

Our unique mission, deeply rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, provides countless ways to serve and make an impact. This, along with our remarkable culture of belonging, weekly devotionals, and endless opportunities for learning and growth—all situated within a beautiful and historic campus—make it hard to imagine a more inspiring place to work. 

Brigham Young University strongly prefers to hire faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Controller (Finance Operations Manager)

Job Summary:

Are you committed to delivering exceptional service while maintaining financial accuracy? Do you excel in a challenging environment where attention-to-detail and effective communication are paramount? If so, we invite you to be a part of our Production Services finance team.

In this position as an Assistant Controller and Finance Operations Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting BYU Production Services processes, as well as provide financial support.

We welcome you to apply now and become a valued member of our team.

What you'll do in this role:

Cost Accounting                                                              

• Collecting and analyzing data about a company’s operational costs
• Developing and analyzing cost standards of manufactured goods
• Establishing costs of business processes such as administration, labor, shipping, etc.
• Research material costs to ensure the accuracy of the information in the company’s accounting system.
• Preparing estimate to actual variance analysis and present findings to management
• Participate in physical inventory counts to ensure the accuracy of inventory records.
• Examine costs of production to determine the most efficient methods of production.
• Recommend changes to the company’s processes and policies to reduce costs and maximize profit

Expense Management

• Reviews/approves expense transactions for others, including creating and editing expense reports for department leadership.
• Reviews/approves procurement services, such as creating and viewing a requisition and receipt (multiple requisition types, receipt types).
• Manages the use and distribution of purchasing cards for faculty and department use.

Financial Accounting & Budget Management

• Responds to escalated inquiries related to financial accounting, budgeting, planning, and taxes, including questions about policies, programs, and process; system navigation/use; transaction/business process status or issues; etc.
• Reviews/approves common accounting transactions, such as initiating an accounting journal entry; initiating adjustment accounting journal or reversal accounting journal entries; adding/deleting attachments to/from a journal entry; creating budget transactions; etc.
• Prepares and/or conducts initial review of common account reconciliations and records adjustments, as needed.
• Manages taxable income items to provide to tax office (e.g., gift cards, gifts, taxable travel reporting, etc.)                                                   

Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Responds to escalated inquiries related to accounts payable and/or accounts receivable including questions about policies, programs, and process; system navigation/use; transaction/business process status or issues; etc.
• Manages common accounts payable and/or accounts receivable services such as finding and viewing supplier invoices, generating customer invoices, depositing manual checks, etc.
• Resolves discrepancies and/or vendor or customer problems.
• Reviews cash and check depositing and reconciliation.
• Process student payments including scholarships and refunds.
• Oversees cash and check depositing and reconciliation.                                                                                                         

Business Assets, Gifts, Endowments, Grants, & Projects Management

• Escalates inquiries related to business assets, gifts and endowments, and/or grants and contracts including questions about policies, programs, and process; system navigation/use; transaction/business process status or issues; etc.
• Provides common business assets services, such as updating business asset location.
• Prepares grant financial transactions, such as initiating set up for and managing sponsor information.                  

Other                                                       

• Typically supervises finance operations specialists in assigned unit(s).
• Recommends and advises unit management regarding budget creation, resource management, revenue or earnings generation.
• Resolve escalated first level inquiries related to all areas of finance.
• Perform predictive analysis.
• Interpret accounting data and analyze financial reports.
• Conduct service level agreement (SLA) and key performance indicator (KPI) monitoring and reporting.
• Provide finance operations specialist training.
• Monitor effectiveness of procedures and implement process changes where necessary to maintain compliance.
• Manages hiring of finance operations specialists.                                                                                    
• Supports the finance business partner with budget and forecast creation and annual resource planning processes.
• Participates in the university controllers group.

What qualifies you to apply:

Minimum Education/Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business-related area plus 4 years of related work experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Financial analysis, budgeting, general accounting, purchasing, problem-solving, critical thinking
• Proven ability to organize, prioritize, coordinate, and manage workflow to meet multiple deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to train students and staff in finance functions.
• Ability to be consistently precise, accurate, and thorough.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Professionalism, efficiency, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with systems and software.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or business-related area plus 5 years professional experience in accounting, payroll, payables, etc.
• Professional finance leadership experience in a higher education institution, other not-for-profit, or for-profit entity
• Ten years’ professional accounting experience
• Current Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or similar financial credential
• Thorough understanding of university and college financial policies and practices

What we offer in return:

In addition to our competitive pay structure, this position comes with fantastic benefits, including:

• 401k. BYU automatically contributes 8% at no cost to you. Additionally, if you contribute 5%, BYU adds an additional 4% (Rehires may qualify for different retirement plans)
• Excellent work-life balance: 13 paid holidays + 22 days paid vacation + 12 sick days, accrued annually
• Employee assistance program, available to the employee and all members of their household
• Tuition benefits for employees and eligible family members
• Access to athletic facilities
• Excellent medical/dental benefits
• Short/long-term disability benefits
• Paid parental and maternity leave
• Wellness Program
• Free on-campus parking
• Free UTA passes for employees, spouses, and qualified dependents
• Discounts at the BYU Store and for many events at BYU

Pay Grade: 54

Typical Starting Pay: $79,500 to $103,500 (Depending on Experience)

Required Documents:

All Staff positions require a resume.

Refer to the Job Posting for any additional required documents.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.

Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

Brigham Young University (BYU) is widely recognized not just for its world-class education, but for its deep commitment to inspired religious values. Gathered together in a Christ-centered atmosphere, BYU employees are a vital part of a community of belonging, where we value the experiences, perspectives, and talents of each individual. If you share in our devotion to faith and to excellence, we have a place for you here at BYU!