Associate Vice President for Finance and University Controller

Position Overview

The Associate Vice President for Finance and University Controller (AVP) provides strategic oversight for the financial infrastructure that supports Virginia Techs academic research and outreach missions. This individual reports to the Chief Financial Officer and plays a vital role in maintaining operational excellence in accounting financial compliance and institutional stewardship. The AVP partners with leadership across the university to ensure financial operations are transparent effective and aligned with strategic priorities.

The AVP oversees accounting financial reporting tax compliance internal controls and financial system optimization. They ensure compliance with GAAP GASB Uniform Guidance IRS DOL and other regulatory frameworks. The AVP will serve as a visible leader collaborating across departments and units to meet stakeholder needs streamline operations and uphold institutional values of inclusion service and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership and Collaboration
Partner with the CFO to design and implement financial policies and procedures that reflect university priorities support student success and advance research and outreach missions. Advise the CFO on regulatory issues impacting the universitys financial operations.
Partner with the CFO on executive-level communication and presentations to effectively convey financial status & performance insights analysis audit outcomes and strategic initiatives.
Provide financial leadership in the management and evolution of the universitys Enterprise Resource Management systems with ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to transform finance work challenge existing processes and envision design and communicate a future state for the finance operations.
Lead the financial oversight of the Universitys affiliate entities including liaison and support of affiliate Boards monitoring financial performance etc.
Serve as the universitys fiscal officer ensuring compliance with state directives and state and federal laws and regulations.

Accounting and Compliance Operations
Lead core functions including general accounting financial reporting payroll accounts payable accounts receivable and tax compliance.
Ensure timely and accurate preparation of university-wide financial statements regulatory filings and audits (including the Single Audit and financial statement audit).
Manage the annual audit process with the Auditor of Public Accounts and other audits as requested or required by governmental agencies or university executives.
In partnership with Human Resources ensure human capital management systems support properly authorized accurate compensation and reporting.
In partnership with the AVP for Procurement ensure e-procurement systems support properly authorized accurate expenditures and reporting.
Ensure the integrity of the universitys chart of accounts financial data control and integration with the universitys financial system of record
Maintain robust internal controls and conduct risk assessments to ensure integrity and mitigate exposure.
Oversee the universitys financial compliance functions including internal controls for the annual ARMICS Certification to the Commonwealth of Virginia tax compliance and ensure transactions are properly and accurately reflected in accounting systems.

Financial Systems Strategy
Oversee implementation integration and maintenance of financial systems including ERP payroll procurement and budgeting tools.
Ensure data accuracy security audit-readiness and alignment with operational workflows.
Collaborate with IT and HR to integrate financial student and employee data systems for efficient reporting and compliance.
Champion automation technology and process improvements to minimize manual effort and increase the speed and accuracy of all accounting processes.

Research and Grants Financial Oversight
In partnership with the Research Division ensure grant accounting systems support properly authorized allocable and allowable expenditures and reporting compliant with evolving grantor requirements.
Manage development of the Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost rate proposal and fringe benefit rate proposal in accordance with OMB Uniform Guidance.
Oversee the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and audit compliance.
Coordinate with research administration and financial aid to track disbursements receivables and compliance with Title IV and sponsored research requirements.

Insurance and Risk Management & Insurance Oversight
Oversee the Office of Risk Management & Insurance which facilitates traditional risk management programs manages and administers the universitys commercial insurance insurance claims and student health insurance program.

Capital Auxiliary and Endowment Financial Management
Ensure accurate financial treatment of capital projects real estate auxiliary enterprises and endowment/restricted fund activity.
Oversee depreciation asset tracking and reporting on capital expenditures.
Partner with capital budgeting and planning and treasury to forecast and align capital investments with institutional growth.

Tax Strategy and Oversight
Oversee tax planning and compliance related to institutional activities including unrelated business income tax (UBIT) payroll tax retirement plan contributions and sales/property tax.
Ensure compliance with federal and state tax laws coordinating with external tax advisors and legal counsel as needed.

Leadership and Organizational Development
Lead and support a talented financial operations team mentoring staff and fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture.
Provide leadership and support to campus fiscal & administrative officers balancing customer service and compliance
Encourage continuous professional development diversity in hiring and team building and equity in resource access.
Champion a culture of integrity responsiveness and shared accountability.

Institutional Engagement and Service
Serve as a strategic partner to administrative units academic departments and university leadership.
Provide consultation on new initiatives revenue models and financial sustainability planning.
Represent Finance in university-wide projects enterprise systems governance and compliance committees.

Required Qualifications

Masters degree in related field; or a Bachelors degree with professional experience equivalent to an advanced degree.
Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
Substantial accounting or financial management experience in a large complex Higher Ed organization with a deep understanding of strategic financial operations.
Demonstrated progressive leadership experience including oversight of teams or units with broad financial & organizational impact.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to conduct complex financial analysis identify trends and assess operational implications.
Mastery of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards and other applicable financial reporting frameworks.
Proven success implementing continuous improvement initiatives and redesigning processes to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
Exposure to financial systems and tools such as ERP systems EPM BI tools and other data extraction and visualization tools with strong knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in finance such as robotic process automation artificial intelligence and data analytics.
Strong leadership communication and interpersonal skills with a record of fostering collaboration and influencing where he/she does not have direct authority & building on unstructured formative situations.
Track record of developing and enforcing internal controls policies and procedures that uphold ethical financial practices and operational integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience serving as a senior financial officer at a large research university or comparable institution in higher education.
Experience within a public or land-grant university setting.
Successful oversight of enterprise-level financial systems implementations or upgrades.
In-depth knowledge of federal cost accounting standards and demonstrated experience in developing and submitting a university Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost rate proposal.
Familiarity with Ellucian Banner or similar ERP financial systems.

Pay Band

Faculty

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Anticipated salary range $250000-$300000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

June 29th 2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges a school of medicine a veterinary medicine college Graduate School and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.