Assistant/Associate Controller for Sources

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.  

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

The Assistant/Associate Controller for Sources is responsible for managing and administering the operations of Student Accounts, Accounts Receivable, Trust and Endowments, Student Loans, and Off-Campus Rentals activities. The Associate Controller reports to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Finance and Controller and leads a team of three professionals, ensuring effective management and administration of these key financial functions. 

SALARY
This posting is for either an Assistant Controller or an Associate Controller. Please refer to the Qualifications section for details. The salary range for the Assistant Controller is $83,232-$93,636, and for the Associate Controller, it is $96,637-$104,040. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Finance Operations & Oversight (50%). In connection with Whitman College’s current fund and its ongoing operations, the Associate Controller for Sources works to support the following functions and activities in the Office of Accounting and Business Services (ABS):

• Internal Controls: Recommend strategies to the AVP for designing, implementing, and maintaining an effective system of internal controls to prevent and detect fraud and/or errors while safeguarding the College’s revenue and cash.  
• Processes and Procedures: Advise the AVP on designing, implementing, and maintaining an effective accounting system for the College’s revenue, ensuring accuracy, clarity, consistency, reliability, timeliness, and efficiency. Strive to promote a paperless process and leverage technology when available. Prepare office policies and procedures as needed and ensure they are clear, concise, and well-documented.  
• Student Accounts: Serve as backup to the Manager of Student Accounts and collaborate with the Student Financial Aid Office regarding scholarships awarded to students. 
• Financial Reporting: Prepare and coordinate financial reports and analyses as requested by internal and external users, including financial data, IPEDS and other survey requests.
• Legal Compliance: Develop and maintain expertise in Department of Education regulations for Perkins loans and student financial aid.  
• Supervision: Oversee staff and daily operations of the student accounts functions within the Office of Accounting and Business Services, including accounts receivable and student loans. Direct reports include the Student Accounts Manager, an Accounting Specialist focused on student accounts and accounts receivable, and an Accounting Specialist dedicating 25% of their time to nonresident alien tax work.  
• Audit: Support the AVP in preparing audit workpapers related to the College’s receivables and revenue, ensuring compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Maintain an effective working relationship with independent auditors.  
• Budget: Assist the AVP and Budget Manager in preparing the annual budget and managing the budget close process. 
• Tax Compliance: Support the AVP with tax reporting and related tax matters concerning the College’s revenue. Assist in ,implementing processes to track and report taxable transactions, including unrelated business income taxes, excise taxes, and nonresident alien withholding taxes. Responsible for preparing annual Forms 1098-T and 1042-S.

Farm and Rental Properties (25%) and Endowment Investments (25%). In connection with the College’s trust, the Associate Controller for Sources works to support the following functions and activities in the Office of Accounting and Business Services (ABS):

• Trust Property Management: Oversee staff and daily operations of off-campus rental properties functions in ABS. Direct reports include the Trust Accountant, Rental Property Manager and an Accounting Specialist dedicating 75% of their time to trust accounting and rental property work. Collaborate with the Director of Investments on the accounting and reporting of the College’s trust rental and farm properties. Record transactions related to the acquisition or disposition of trust rental or farm properties.  
• Investments: Work closely with the Director of Investments and support the AVP in recording quarterly  income, expenses, and fair market value adjustments for the College’s investments. Annually record adjustments per the Kaspick valuation reports for the College’s CRUTs, CRATs, and split-interest agreements. Prepare related required note disclosures for the College’s audited financial statements.  
• Gifts & Donor Restrictions: Partner with the Director of Investments and Budget Manager to calculate and record the College’s annual endowment payout for budget preparation.  Collaborate with the Development Office to record gifts and track donor restrictions for the College’s endowment and net assets. Annually calculate the net present value for pledges receivable for audit purposes.  
• Legal Compliance: Ensure compliance with all pertinent governmental and oversight agencies, such as timely filing of charitable registrations. Manage required reporting with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and oversee the audit process every five years to maintain the College’s exempt status for conducting Charitable Gift Annuity business in the Washington State.  
• Tax Compliance: Maintain the property tax exemption status for rental properties with the State of Washington, ensuring eligibility based on whether tenants are students or employees.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Ability to maintain an effective collegial working relationship with students, parents, faculty and staff as well as tenants, vendors, volunteers, agencies and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain exemplary customer service and fiscal accountability as it relates to all functions within the department.
• Knowledg-e of internal controls both within ABS and across campus.
• Knowledge of U.S. GAAP, including non-profit accounting concepts, and taxation issues as applicable to Whitman College.
• Ability to understand complex issues and communicate to a wide non-financial audience.
• Ability to positively and actively contribute to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and access.
• Knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, preferable Colleague, sequel reporting, and demonstrated skills with Excel and other Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

ASSISTANT MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business or accounting;
• Five or more years progressive experience in non-profit or business accounting and financial services with  knowledge in both financial reporting and tax matters; or 
• A combination of relevant education, training, and experience.

Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.

ASSOCIATE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the Assistant Qualifications: 

• CPA licensure.
  
• Experience in higher education or college operations.

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

BENEFITS 

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission – Dependent Children

Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.

Employee Assistance Program

Relocation assistance for eligible employees. 

Learn more about benefits eligibility here. 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin on XXX and continue until the position is filled. 

START DATE

XXX, 2025