Information & Responsibilities

SUMMARY

The Associate Vice President for Finance & Institute Controller (“the Controller”) has Institute-wide responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and maintenance of the Institute’s financial records. The Controller directs, coordinates, and oversees the Institute’s various financial reporting and accounting duties; establishes Institute financial policies and standards; directs and oversees the operations of student financial services, general accounting, post-award accounting, accounts payable, and finance; and informs the budget planning, development, investment, and treasury areas. The Controller reports to the Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer of the Institute, who is a direct report to the President of CalArts.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides leadership and direction to the units that report to and/or are a part of the Finance division including establishing goals and objectives for the Controller’s Office.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the division's overall goals and objectives; directs and oversees the hiring, development, management, and evaluation of staff.
• Oversees external audits and preparation of annual financial statements and other financial compliance reports.
• Establishes and maintains Institute financial policies and transactional standards, ensuring consistency with the Institute's mission and strategic plans and compliance with Board policies, State and Federal fiscal management laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP).
• Establishes and maintains an effective system of internal controls and safeguards.
• Oversees and coordinates the Institute’s tax reporting and related issues.
• Provides staff support for the Audit & Risk, Finance, and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees.
• Advises senior leadership on issues of accounting, tax, or financial reporting nature such as assessing the impacts of new laws, regulations, and accounting pronouncements.
• Develops and prepares reports that aid in analyzing Institute financial data.
• Reviews and analyzes major contractual obligations of the institution to ensure consistency with overall financial goals, objectives, and plans, and compliance with Institute financial policies, procedures, and standards.
• Interface with various vendors, including but not limited to auditors, tax consultants, custodian and commercial banks, and ratings agencies.
• Oversees major system development projects that impact accounting and reporting.
• Leads efforts for continuous improvements to streamline financial processes and procedures to increase efficiencies, reduce administrative burns and person-hours needed to complete tasks.
• Participates with the planning, policy development, and problem resolution.
• Ensures that they and their staff continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy and industry changes.
• Represents the Institute at professional meetings and conferences and remains actively involved in professional activities that are relative to the position.
• Directs and oversees the financial management and maintains fiscal oversight of the Institute's various divisions and schools.
• Works closely with members of the Institute community to ensure a high level of support and service in all areas of responsibility and provides consultative assistance in the interpretation of financial and budget information.
• Participates in shared governance activities in a number of ways, including preparing financial materials for the layperson, represents the controller’s office in assembly and committee meetings that are integral to the Institute’s shared governance model.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business management plus a CPA and/or MBA and/or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 10 years in financial accounting, reporting and management with at least five years in a supervisory capacity. Experience with computerized accounting, purchasing, payable, budgeting, payroll, and receivables systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Federal and State financial laws, regulations, and operating guidelines as they pertain to institutions of higher education.
• The ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. An ability to manage others in a fashion that values human resources. A situational management style that empowers others, fosters teamwork, and engenders accessibility. The ability to lead change and move business processes to the next level. Readiness to “roll up the sleeves” and get involved as needed. The ability to interface with external vendors, stakeholders, advisors, and others. Familiarity with the work of ratings agencies.
• Experience working with, staffing, and presenting to governance boards.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong computer (spreadsheet and word processing) skills. Strong listening skills and an ability to communicate persuasively. A quick mind and the ability to “connect the dots.” Well-honed strategic and tactical skills. Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and ability to foster a community with a culture of inclusiveness that holds its members accountable for creating, supporting, and championing diversity and the expansion of opportunity.
• Proven ability to manage a variety of operations with diverse facilities, motivate and develop staff to potential, develop realistic budgets, and design and manage efficient business processes.
• Change-management and project-management skills and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective short-term and long-term vision and leadership in a changing higher-education environment.
• Exemplary communication skills (both written and oral) evidenced by background in preparing comprehensive reports and executive summaries incorporating business trends, industry trends, customer satisfaction, and other key matrices.
• Highly developed organizational and leadership skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Relevant professional experience in or with (for example, through as a public accountant) an accredited not-for-profit higher education institution.
• CPA, active or inactive (highly preferred).

How to Apply

CalArts has engaged Opus Search Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Craig Smith, Partner, and Jeffrey Stafford, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email to Jeff (Jeffrey.stafford@opuspartners.net).

Salary

$160,000 - $180,000 a year

Equity & Diversity

California Institute of the Arts shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Further Information

CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater. CalArts encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the many aspects of the arts. It is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist's growth. CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts.