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Assistant Controller

Organization
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
Location
Eden Prairie, MN
Salary Range
$153,000 - $182,000
Posting Date
October 29, 2024
Application Deadline
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Job Description

PURPOSE

The Assistant Controller will lead certain Reporting and Assurance activities of the Finance department, with a focus on internal controls, resource planning and financial reporting. This role will regularly collaborate with internal and external business leaders, including partnering with Human Resources and managing payroll processing. The Assistant Controller is an integral member of the Finance team, reporting to the Controller and Director, Investment Accounting and partnering closely with other Finance managers.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting and Assurance

Ensure a strong system of internal controls that balances risk mitigation with staff engagement,  leveraging documentation and monitoring, including:

  • Ensure documentation of accounting policies, procedures and internal control requirements is maintained to support finance team activities.
  • Lead planning at least annually, in coordination with finance team members, to proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of controls based on identified priorities. 
  • Coordinate activities to perform risk assessments and monitor compliance with internal controls, including through periodic testing as needed.
  • Support staff in implementation of policies and procedures through cross-training and hands-on support.

Manage organization-wide resource planning processes, including: 

  • Lead the expense allocation process, ensuring compliance with the shared services agreement and functional expense reporting requirements for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
  • Manage the process for budget planning and execution, including monitoring spending and development of operating forecasts and analysis.
  • Support liquidity management, including periodic cash forecasting and line of credit compliance.

Lead the preparation of the audited financial statements. Manage the external audit processes and serve as day-to-day contact for audit teams.

Lead research and analysis on relevant emerging issues (e.g. accounting and reporting standards, etc.). Identify, recommend, and implement changes to address issues and opportunities. 

Lead preparation of audited financial statements and tax returns for qualified retirement and health & welfare benefit plans, as required.

Manage payroll processing and vendor tax reporting, including: 

  • Ensure accuracy of payroll records through review and analysis of inputs and outputs of the process.
  • Identify resources needed to address questions and provide customer service to internal and external customers regarding payroll matters. Includes managing vendor relationship with third party payroll processor and establishing relationships with experts in legal and tax requirements for payroll processing.
  • Regularly consult with human resources representatives regarding data inputs needed for payroll processing, coordination of work efforts and regular reviews of changes to ensure no gaps in compliance requirements. 
  • Oversee process design to ensure compliance with payroll-related regulations regarding wages paid, payroll taxes and other deductions; includes overseeing process to ensure regularly and timely payroll processing plus off-cycle payrolls, as required.
  • Oversee process design to ensure accurate vendor tax reporting.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of all employee information and payroll records.

Provide flexible support to the finance team as assigned, including:

  • Work collaboratively with other Finance managers to proactively identify team needs and resource allocations; back-up other team members and activities.
  • Lead special projects and change initiatives; collaborate with key stakeholders to outline project plans, allocate resources and ensure timely completion.

Staff Management and DEIJ

Supervise, train, and develop staff. 

  • Champion MACP’s vision and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (“DEIJ”) by demonstrating awareness of systemic racism and other forms of structural injustice and committing to advance DEIJ efforts by embedding it into team and organization-wide goals and work. 
  • Demonstrate commitment to intercultural understanding and sensitivity with the ability to lead teams through the operationalization of DEIJ into strategy, processes, practices, and relationships.

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

  • Deep knowledge of GAAP accounting and financial reporting requirements, with experience in researching issues and implementing new developments.
  • Solid analytical, problem solving, and planning skills with excellent attention to detail.   
  • Ability to build trusting relationships with important stakeholders internally and externally, with a commitment to service and an ability to communicate and advocate effectively at all levels.
  • Solid project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and prioritize work streams. 
  • Ability to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of a control environment, leveraging knowledge of techniques for identifying, analyzing and prioritizing risks
  • Ability to observe trends in data, recommending and implementing solutions to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy of reporting.
  • Strong collaboration skills and ability to sustain a dynamic, matrixed finance team through cross-training and professional development of direct reports and others.
  • Strong technical knowledge with financial systems and Microsoft Office Suite, in particular, Excel.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting with 8+ years of job-related experience focusing on internal controls, financial reporting, and project management.  
  • CPA with “Big 4” experience or comparable industry experience required.
  • Proven experience in assessing risk and creating successful tools and controls that mitigate risk and provide measurable improvement.
  • Supervisory experience of a professional team, with demonstrated ability to develop strengths of individual team members and to build effective, values-based teams. 

 

TRAVEL

Less than 10%

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 

  • The work environment is an office setting with a designated office or workstation at the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies office in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.  
  • We practice a hybrid work schedule with the expectation that employees will work in-office 3 days per week with the option to work remote up to two days per week. This includes working in the office Tuesday and Wednesday and either Monday or Thursday; all employees work remote on Friday. 
  • There may be occasions where it is required to be in-office more than 3 days in a week or on a day normally scheduled as a remote workday, depending on the role.
  • We practice shared work hours between 9am-3pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-12pm Friday.
  • Occasionally, the person in this role may be required to adjust to time pressures and frequent changes. This role may require an irregular schedule or overtime.
  • This position is primarily a sedentary role with an adjustable sit/stand desk.
  • The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings or events, etc. 
  • Occasional or intermittent physical activities may include bending, reaching, twisting, stooping, or climbing within an office environment.
  • This position requires regular use of a computer to complete work responsibilities. It also includes regularly working with other office equipment and communication technology, such as a videoconferencing, telephone, copy/print machine.
  • This role also frequently performs multiple tasks simultaneously and works closely with others as part of a team. 

 

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position.  Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this description.

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