Job Details

Senior Controller, Assistant Controller, Controller

Position Number: 7112338
Location: Albany, NY
Position Type: Business - Accounting

Senior Controller, Assistant Controller, Controller

Category: Administrative and Professional
Department: Finance
Locations: Albany, NY
Type: Exempt
Position ID: 199796

Location: Albany, NY Category: Administrative and Professional Job Type: Exempt Posted On: Thu Apr 23 2026 Job Description:
FUNCTION and SCOPE:

This position serves as a financial leader within the Finance Office and is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the organization's accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, and related regulatory activities. Working within a large not-for-profit organization supporting a State University System's research enterprise, the Controller ensures compliance with GAAP, Uniform Guidance, IRS regulations, and state reporting requirements.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller provides leadership over financial accounting and reporting operations, maintains a robust system of internal controls, and partners closely with campus leadership, central administration, external auditors, and governing bodies. The role requires deep expertise in not-for-profit financial statements, grant-related accounting, and complex reporting environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Provide overall leadership and oversight of the financial accounting function, including general ledger operations, quarterly-end and year-end close, and preparation of interim and annual financial statements.
Ensure the accuracy and integrity of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP and not-for-profit accounting standards.
Oversee external financial statement audits and serve as the primary point of contact for independent auditors.
Prepare, review, and submit required financial reports to SUNY System Administration, New York State, federal agencies, and other stakeholders.

Tax, Regulatory, and Compliance Reporting

Oversee preparation and filing of all required tax and regulatory reports, including but not limited to:
- IRS Forms 990 and 990-T
- Form 5500 filings for benefit plans
- VEBA and post-retirement benefit reporting
- Payroll tax filings (941, NYS-45)
- 1099 and 1042 reporting
Coordinate with external actuarial firms for pension and post-retirement benefit plan valuations.
Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance, sponsor requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.

Internal Controls and Risk Management

Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive system of internal controls over financial reporting and tax-related activities.
Proactively assess financial and operational risks, recommending enhancements to controls, policies, and procedures.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen financial processes, efficiency, and compliance.

Leadership and Staff Development

Lead, mentor, and develop accounting and reporting staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
Manage recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and professional development planning for the accounting team.
Set individual and departmental goals aligned with Finance Office priorities and the organization's strategic plan.

Audit and External Relationships

Coordinate auditor selection and periodic evaluation of independent auditor performance.
Manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for audit services and present recommendations to appropriate Board committees, as needed.
Serve as a key liaison alongside CFO with Board Finance and Audit Committees, supporting fiduciary oversight through clear, timely, and accurate reporting.

Investments and Treasury Coordination

Act as the primary accounting and reporting liaison for custodians, investment managers, and investment consultants.
Oversee investment-related accounting, reporting, and compliance with organizational policies and guidelines.
Support investment reporting and analysis for management and Board committees.

Cross-Functional and Strategic Support

Partner with Treasury, Accounts Payable/Payroll, Cost Accounting, and Grants Administration to address complex financial matters.
Provide analytical support for external stakeholders, including credit agencies and governmental entities.
Respond to financial data requests from SUNY Administration and other oversight bodies.
Support retirement program oversight in collaboration with Human Resources and external consultants

Job Requirements:
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

Position will be hired based on experience and qualifications listed below

Senior Controller: $128,000 - $145,000

Senior Controller will Run GL, Close, and financial statements. Will manage audits with CFO and team support, and have experience with limited multi-entity or grant complexity. Will also have experience leading accounting team. Must meet minimum qualifications below;

Associates degree in Accounting.
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in financial accounting, reporting, and audit, with significant experience in not-for-profit organizations. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
Demonstrated expertise in not-for-profit GAAP financial statements, regulatory reporting, and tax compliance.
Demonstrated ability to lead the Accounting team.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Working knowledge of enterprise financial systems (Oracle EBS experience preferred).

Assistant Controller: $145,000 - $158,000

The Assistant Controller will have all the above requirements and take full ownership of financials and audits. Have experience managing complex filings(990,550,Benefits). Will have experience with multi-entity/regulatory complexity, and meet the minimum qualifications below;

Bachelors in required field and CPA required.
Minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in financial accounting, reporting, and audit, with significant experience in not-for-profit organizations.
Deep NFP Uniform Guidance and grant experience and higher education experience.
Proven ability to lead and develop professional staff in a complex, multi-entity organization.

Controller: $158,000 - $171,000

The Controller will have all the above requirements and have experience with highly complex consolidated reporting. Demonstrated experience leading audit, RFPs, and strategy. Controller will have background being the liaison to Board and Senior Leadership and experience with business system implementations. And meet the minimum qualifications below.

Masters in required field and CPA required.
Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in financial accounting, reporting, and audit, with significant experience in not-for-profit organizations.
Experience working with large, NFP or system experience.

Additional Information:
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law. The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.

To apply, visit http://rfsuny.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=199796