Controller

OverviewWFAA encourages individuals working out of WFAA offices or conducting in-person business to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. WFAA does not at this time require vaccination for in-person work or other business activity, but reserves the right to put in place such a requirement in the future. Should it do so WFAA will consider requests for accommodations only as required under applicable law.The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison is recruiting for a Controller. The Controller will assist organization leadership in representing numerous finance / operational functions with its board of directors and board committees. Direct responsibilities include leadership and management of general accounting, fund accounting, fund administration, budgeting, financial reporting, treasury, tax, and audit functions, as well as policy development, internal control, and regulatory compliance functions. This position will be a combination of remote and in-office work.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.ResponsibilitiesGeneralHelp develop, lead, and inspire a high functioning team of accounting/finance professionals, with emphasis on collaboration both within the division and throughout the organizationAssist with the continuing refinement of shorter-term visions of success (aimed at a more static mission), as well as the design and execution of plans toward achievement. Influence, inspire and lead change designed to help the division achieve its stated objectives and vision. Hire, develop, motivate, and lead dynamic, team-oriented professionals motivated to succeed both individually and collectively. Act, and demand the same from others, with professional integrity and help ensure actions and decisions are consistent with the highest of ethical standards and WFAA’s values. Accounting and Financial ReportingDirect all accounting functions aimed primarily at timely and accurate monthly and quarterly general ledger close routines, assisted by an effective chart of accounts and monthly account reconciliation standards. Direct the preparation and review of monthly and quarterly financial statements for both the ----General Fund and Fully Consolidated Funds of the organization. Ensure compliance with GAAP accounting and reporting standards. Direct the timely, accurate disbursement of properly authorized funds to campus, vendors, and other payees, including annual 1099-vendor processing. Direct the effective integration of the organization’s financial policies with those of the university and university system, as well as the procedures needed to support them. Direct the organization’s corporate card/procurement card program, as well as the related ------Travel & Expense Management system/program designed to support efficient and effective employee expense reimbursement policies and procedures. Direct policies, procedures, and tools designed to support the effective recording and accounting of capital expenditures. Direct timely, accurate accounting in support of the Life Income Pools (CGA’s, Unitrusts, and PIF’s), as well as compliance with the annual tax return and 1099-R preparation and reporting requirements. Financial Planning and AnalysisDirect the preparation of WFAA’s annual General Fund budget, as well as the tools, processes, communications, and internal support systems designed to aid budget preparation and review processes. Design and implement expenditure controls to assure all expenditures are properly authorized. Direct routine monthly and quarterly reviews of General Fund expenses against budget, including engagement with other organization leaders and variance analyses. Assist with financial modeling, trend analyses, and longer-term financial planning. Fund Administration / Fund AccountingEnsure compliance with Wisconsin’s UPMIFA laws and guidelines. Direct the policies and quarterly close processes designed to reconcile external custodian records with the general ledger and activities associated with the Investment Operations team. Evaluate, implement, and manage the organization’s endowment management systems, policies and procedures to help ensure effective allocation of quarterly endowment pool-related activities, to thousands of underlying component funds. Design, implement and direct policies and procedures aimed at ensuring the proper recognition of revenue flowing into the general ledger from the organization’s CRM system, as well as to manage effective communication, policy and process integration with the Gift Services function. Assist with a cross-functional reconciliation of KPI metrics shared with our board of directors, to underlying general ledger and CRM data, system and reportsDesign, implement and direct effective, tightly controlled cash receipts processes. Corporate Tax, Treasury, and Internal / External AuditIndependent of the Fund Accounting function, direct quarterly reconciliation of investment pool assets and performance measures between the general ledger and custodian records, including verification with Investment Operations staff. Ensure the organization is appropriately registered to solicit charitable gifts in all states. Ensure compliance with state Sales & Use Tax regulations. Assist the COFO with the management of the organization’s banking and treasury service needs, and relationships, including focusing on internal controls, properly authorized transactions, and fraud prevention and detection services. Direct the review and preparation of the organization’s state and federal corporate tax returns, ensure compliance with all related IRS regulations applicable to corporate and related employee transactions and record-keeping requirements, and help manage relationships with external tax preparers. Assist in directing all activities associated with the organization’s independent auditors, and annual audit, with goals of timely audit completion and reporting to the organization’s Audit Committee. Assist with and direct the design, documentation, implementation and review of a comprehensive set of procedures and controls aimed at safeguarding the organization’s assets, compliance with financial reporting, IRS and other regulatory guidelines, and the accuracy of the organization’s data and underlying financial records. Assist with the preparation of the annual audit of the organization’s 401(k) Plan. QualificationsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field is required. 10 + years’ experience related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. Strong experience and familiarity with relevant CRM and Accounting systems applications, intermediate/advanced MS Excel and MS Word experience. Demonstrable knowledge of financial accounting standards (GAAP), applicable laws and regulations (such as UPMIFA), non-profit taxation reporting standards, independent audit procedures, and various IRS requirements applicable to both employee and donor settings. Specific knowledge related to donor-related revenue recognition, fund accounting and administration practices and regulations. Must be familiar with public auditing policies, standards, procedures and requirements, deferred gift vehicle administration, and basic investment accounting. Other Qualifications:Masters’ level degree in a similarly related field of study will provide additional preference. Public accounting, internal audit / compliance, investment accounting, non-profit corporate tax, and /or gift processing/CRM experience. Leadership experience within a foundation setting, specifically within an Institutionally Related Foundation. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and/or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certifications. Experience with fund management, project management and basic database applications. WFAA is committed to provide our employees with an environment that is inspiring, creative, and respectful. We offer competitive pay and an excellent benefits program, which includes a 10% 401k contribution after 1 year of service!The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (advanceuw.org) is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.