Assistant Controller

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is recruiting for an Assistant Controller. Reporting to the Controller, the Assistant Controller is a key Finance Division leadership position responsible for financial reporting, internal controls, tax compliance, and adherence to GAAP and other regulatory requirements.

The Assistant Controller oversees a team of professionals responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, treasury and cash management, accounts payable and disbursements, and general accounting operations.  The position requires comfort and aptitude working at both strategic and operational execution levels, balancing hands-on work with effective team leadership, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and implement best practices.  This role is essential for maintaining stakeholder trust through accurate financial reporting and stewardship, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring operational excellence in WFAA's finance function. This is a hybrid position that will require you to work on-site in our Madison, WI office location at least two days weekly.

Who is WFAA?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty, and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive. 

Financial Reporting, Audit, and Internal Controls

• Oversee the preparation and review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and management reports, including variance analysis and KPIs.
• Ensure timely preparation of materials for senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Identify opportunities for automated dashboards and reporting and drive development.
• Proactively develop and maintain advanced working knowledge of applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices; research, interpret, and develop recommendations as needed.
• Ensure adequate quality assurance processes are followed for financial data used in internal and external reports.
• Coordinate and lead the external audit as primary staff liaison, as well as prepare and review workpapers, annual financial statements, and footnotes, ensuring GAAP compliance.
• Partner with the Controller on internal controls design, documentation, and oversight; maintain risk and control matrices; and execute internal control testing.
• Ensure adequate segregation of duties across finance activities and maintain documentation.
• Support strategic planning and coordination of outsourced internal control reviews.

Accounting

• Responsible for ensuring that the monthly and quarterly close process is completed comprehensively and timely, assisted by well documented processes and standardization of supporting workpapers.
• Review monthly and quarterly reconciliations and analyses.
• Identify and implement improvements to accounting systems, processes, and documentation to ensure accuracy and timeliness and enhance efficiency and automation.
• Maintain general ledger integrity and governance, including chart of accounts changes, reporting standards and naming conventions, and journal entry documentation requirements.
• Provide oversight and strategic direction for disbursements, corporate card programs, and travel expense management; lead process improvements and team development; ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with organizational policies.
• Assist the Controller with effective design of the organization’s financial policies and supporting procedures, as well as integration of those policies and procedures with those of the university.

Budget, Financial Planning & Analysis

• Oversee preparation of the annual operating budget and the tools, processes, and communications supporting effective budget development.
• Design and implement effective expenditure controls to ensure proper authorization of organizational spending.
• Oversee processes for timely monthly and quarterly reviews of operating expenses against budget, including variance analyses and engagement with budget managers.
• Assist the Controller with financial modeling, trend analyses, and long-term financial planning.
• Provide insight into financial trends and results, identifying risks and opportunities; collaborate on strategic modeling and forecasting.

Tax/Regulatory, Treasury and Other

• Prepare supporting documentation for state and federal tax returns, and manage tax payments, coordinating with external tax advisors.
• Develop enhanced documentation and monitor adherence to procedures to ensure timely, accurate completion of all regulatory filings.
• Ensure organizational compliance with charitable state registrations and provide oversight and management of outsourced vendor(s).
• Ensure compliance with state Sales & Use Tax regulations.
• Oversee or execute treasury operations including approval of wire transfers and ACH payments, management of cash transfers between accounts based on liquidity needs, and user access administration.
• Oversee or manage banking and brokerage relationships, including account administration, signatory authorities, service optimization, and fee analysis.
• Participate in the management of gateway/processor relationships and merchant card programs in collaboration with Gift Services and IT, ensuring internal controls and PCI compliance.
• Collaborate with the Controller to develop, implement, and monitor treasury administration and cash management policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with the Controller on other duties or projects as requested.

Team Leadership:

• Determine staffing needs, design appropriate roles, write/update job descriptions, allocate staff and assign/delegate duties accordingly.
• Lead and empower team members, fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation; ensure skills and performance align with organizational needs.
• Train, mentor, coach and develop staff members, encouraging an appropriate level of independence and supporting professional growth.
• Identify the current and long-term development/training needs of individuals and provide or facilitate access to appropriate development experiences.
• Set priorities, develop work schedules, and establish performance measures.
• Provide ongoing feedback and recognition as well as periodic formal performance appraisals to staff.
• Ensure cross-training of critical tasks and procedures are documented and regularly reviewed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation
• 7+ years of related professional work experience
• 3+ years supervisory and/or leadership experience demonstrating success in leading and developing team members
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, work collaboratively, and be self-directed
• Problem-solving skills to manage day-to-day challenges and develop and execute long-term strategic goals

 Other Qualifications:

• Combined public and private accounting experience, as well as experience in non-profit organization settings, are both strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement internal control procedures, GAAP, accounting, non-profit, and tax regulations.
• Demonstrated professional presence and exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively and convey complex information clearly and confidently to senior leadership, campus partners, and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong data analytics skills to develop and recommend actionable insights from data.
• Experience with ERP systems; NetSuite experience a plus.
• Familiarity with investment accounting, endowment accounting, and revenue recognition specific to contributions.