Assistant Vice President for Accounting and University Controller

Stony Brook University (SBU), an internationally recognized research institution and public university within the SUNY System, is seeking an Assistant Vice President and Controller (AVP/Controller) to join its dedicated Finance team.

Stony Brook is one of America’s most dynamic public universities and a center of academic excellence that offers all students a world-class education with an 18:1 student to faculty ratio and a top 40 public university ranking from U.S. News and World Report. Stony Brook University offers more than 200 undergraduate programs, more than 100 master’s programs and more than 50 doctoral programs to over 26,000 students. Stony Brook University, widely regarded as a SUNY flagship institution, was established in 1957 as a college for the preparation of secondary school teachers of mathematics and science. The first campus was located in Oyster Bay, Long Island, on the grounds of a former Gold Coast estate. In 1962, a new campus was built near the historic village of Stony Brook on land donated by local philanthropist Ward Melville.

Part of the State University of New York system, the Stony Brook University has grown tremendously and is now recognized as one of the nation’s important centers of learning and scholarship — carrying out the mandate given by the State Board of Regents in 1960 to become a university that would “stand with the finest in the country.” The University campus lies about 60 miles east of Manhattan and 60 miles west of Montauk Point.

The AVP/Controller leads its team in all aspects of accounting and financial reporting for the campus and is responsible for improving and streamlining financial transactions and processes. In addition, the new leader oversees the successful implementation of automated services within this unit and ensures that technology solutions are implemented successfully. As the chief accounting officer for the university, the incumbent leads university accounting analysis programs and is the lead liaison for all accounting issues in the absence of the vice president for finance. In addition to managing the accounting team, the AVP/Controller also oversees the Student Financial Services staff and substitutes for the vice president for finance at key internal and external meetings.

Reporting directly to Lyle Gomes, Vice President for Finance, the AVP/Controller will work across the enterprise to optimize the university’s decision-making capabilities and inspire the highest standards of financial performance. As a key member of the institution’s finance team and its senior accountant, the AVP/Controller will help to develop and implement strategies and procedures that will ensure the financial viability of the university, enabling SBU to continue to advance its educational mission. The incumbent will oversee a team of more than 50 dedicated, talented and experienced professionals and functional areas including accounting services and the office of Student Financial Services.

The AVP/Controller is responsible for collaboration with individuals across the University at all levels and roles to ensure the University’s financial policies, procedures, operations, and practices are effective and efficient in a highly decentralized environment. As a member of the VP/Senior Leadership team, the AVP/Controller also plays a key role in the direction and successful delivery of financial services. The AVP/Controller is responsible for all aspects of accounting and financial reporting for the campus. The AVP/Controller has direct management oversight for a wide range of institutional financial functions, including accounting (general, cost accounting, grants, capital projects), financial reporting, internal controls, treasury operations, student accounts, policies, and financial compliance.

The ideal candidate for the AVP/Controller position will not simply value principles of diversity, equity and inclusion — they will commit to meaningful results and outcomes in their daily work, including the budgeting choices they make and the ways they mentor and communicate with their staff. They must possess a strong record of leadership and accomplishment in the field of accounting and business operations, finance, and senior administration. The AVP/Controller will exhibit credibility and discretion, while demonstrating the ability to work in a participatory manner with colleagues at all levels of the university to achieve positive results through astute financial management, fiscal stewardship and exceptional customer service to both internal and external constituents. The AVP/Controller will have an exemplary background of demonstrated success in building and maintaining a broad-based team of strong budget and accounting professionals and fiscal operational leadership. The AVP/Controller will supervise a diverse, tight-knit and exceptionally hard-working team. The team seeks a leader with a high level of pride for their work and talent that matches their own. Other essential qualities include outstanding interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, personal integrity and accountability, technical ability, applied business experience, and excellent oral and written communication skills. The candidate will also demonstrate impeccable attention to detail and the ability to keep abreast of the latest trends and regulatory changes that directly affect the higher education environment. 

The AVP/Controller will provide oversight and leadership in accounting, fiscal operations, financial reporting, tax accounting and more. This is a position for an experienced and visionary accounting leader. 

A key responsibility of the AVP/Controller will be to manage and mitigate financial and capital risk exposure. Strict adherence to applicable standards and principles is essential, and the AVP/Controller will be working with a team that deeply values compliance and transparency. The AVP/Controller should provide first-rate leadership in identifying, evaluating and deploying best practices and innovative processes to support the education and research missions of the university while also ensuring high standards of compliance with local, state and federal regulations.  The AVP/Controller collaborates closely with the Associate VP for Budget & Financial Planning and their team to assure consistency in the reporting of actual financial performance across the university.

The assistant vice president/controller (AVP/Controller) is responsible for collaboration with individuals across the University at all levels and roles to ensure the University’s financial policies, procedures, operations, and practices are effective and efficient in a highly decentralized environment. As a member of the VP/Senior Leadership team, the AVP/Controller also plays a key role in the direction and successful delivery of financial services. The AVP/Controller is responsible for all aspects of accounting and financial reporting for the campus. The AVP/Controller has direct management oversight for a wide range of institutional financial functions, including accounting (general, cost accounting, grants, capital projects), financial reporting, internal controls, treasury operations, student accounts, policies, and financial compliance. Additional information about the position, including a Leadership Profile can be found at www.wittkieffer.com.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Interested individuals should provide, as two separate documents: a letter describing their enthusiasm and qualification for the position and a résumé. This search will be conducted with full confidentiality of all candidates; references will not be contacted without the prior knowledge and approval of the candidate. 

For more information, questions or nominations, please contact SBU's lead consultant, Kim Brettschneider and the team at StonyBrookAVP@wittkieffer.com. For fullest consideration, candidates are urged to submit their materials as early as possible. 

 

Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Stony Brook University is committed to equal employment and educational opportunity for all persons in the University community and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, age, ethnicity, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, genetic information, criminal conviction, domestic violence victim status or veteran status and/or military status. This policy applies to all University offices, departments, and affiliates, including part-time students, faculty and staff members. Affirmative action and equal opportunity affect all employment practices including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, transfers, promotions, benefits, compensation, training, educational opportunities and terminations. To further ensure the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action with respect to employment and education, the University endeavors to increase the availability of opportunities for students, staff and faculty from groups that have been previously excluded or underrepresented. Students or employees having disabilities that may require reasonable accommodation or auxiliary aids should contact Disability Support Services.

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.