Controller

7500 University Dr Bismarck, ND
Full Time
Senior Manager/Supervisor
Controller

The University of Mary located at 7500 University Drive, Bismarck ND is seeking an experienced professional to serve in Financial Affairs.  The Controller is a senior financial leader responsible for overseeing the university’s accounting operations, financial reporting, compliance, and internal controls. This role ensures the integrity of financial systems and supports strategic decision-making through accurate and timely financial data. The Controller plays a critical role in maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency across the institution.

Benefits Include:
  • Retirement benefits with an 8% match
  • Medical, Dental, Vision and supplemental insurance
  • Free or discounted tuition for employees and dependents
  • Discounted meal plan
  • Discounted membership at the campus Wellness Center
Essential Roles/Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting & Compliance
  • Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including IRS, DOE, and other regulatory bodies.
  • Coordinate annual audits and manage relationships with external auditors.
Accounting Operations
  • Oversee general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, and fixed asset accounting.
  • Maintain and improve internal control systems to safeguard university assets.
  • Supervise and mentor accounting staff, fostering a culture of accuracy and accountability
Policy & Procedure Development
  • Develop and enforce financial policies and procedures that align with best practices and institutional goals.
  • Ensure proper documentation and training for financial systems and processes.
Technology & Systems
  • Manage financial systems and software, ensuring data integrity and system efficiency.
  • Lead or support ERP implementations and upgrades as needed.
Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Collaborate with the VP of Financial Affairs and department heads to develop and monitor the annual budget.
  • Provide financial analysis and forecasting to support strategic initiatives and long-term planning.
Education Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, and a Master’s or CPA required.
  • Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in higher education or nonprofit sector.
Qualifications
  • Represents the Office of Financial Affairs with integrity and a high level of professionalism
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP, fund accounting, and federal compliance requirements.
  • Proficiency in financial systems (e.g., Ellucian, Workday, Banner) and Microsoft Excel.
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Maintains absolute confidentiality and discretion in all matters related to the Office of Financial Affairs and associated areas of responsibility
  • Experience with grant accounting and restricted funds.
  • Familiarity with endowment management and donor reporting.
  • Ability to thrive in a mission-driven, collaborative environment.
knowledge and skills
  • High degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and individuals
  • Ability to work independently and with a team of colleagues
  • Ability to set priorities and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to understand, interpret, explain, and apply rules and policies applicable to areas of responsibility
  • Strong organizational and verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise correspondence, records, reports, and other documents
  • Expertise with Microsoft Office software applications, especially Excel
  • Preferably proficiency with the Jenzabar database
UNIVERSITY PROFILE
Student Population: Fall 2024 enrollment of 3,801, including 2,288 traditional undergraduate students and 1,513 graduate and nontraditional students. The student/faculty ratio is 10:1, with a 17% minority population representing all 50 states and 19 countries.
Academics: The University of Mary boasts 294 faculty members, offering 60+ bachelor's degree programs, 21 master’s degree programs, 5 doctoral degree programs, and 16 pre-professional programs.
Campus Facilities & Surrounding Community: a main campus with 866,000 square feet of facilities, 13 residence halls & apartment buildings, a research library with 50,000+ volumes, a 24/7 campus restaurant, coffee shops, and a pub, along with 9 satellite locations throughout the United States and abroad. Bismarck/Mandan is an intimate metropolitan area with a population of approximately 120,000, exemplary family and parish life, friendly neighborhoods, a low crime rate, clean air, and excellent schools, and enjoyable recreational and cultural facilities: 75+ miles of hiking trails, 62 parks, 7 golf courses, and four seasons of recreational opportunities on the Missouri River. For more information on the University of Mary, please watch a short video by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go37Hy6QrVs. A campus tour is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY66HYhVQSE.
 
OUR MISSION AND IDENTITY
Mission: The University of Mary serves the religious, academic, and cultural needs of the people in this region and beyond, rooted in the commitment of the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. We are Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine.
Christian Identity: We strive to accomplish our mission in faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, valuing each human person as created in the image and likeness of God. We aim to be agents of cultural renewal, advocating for justice and peace.
Catholic Identity: Drawing life from the heart of the Church, we integrate spiritual and philosophical approaches to enduring questions of human life, fostering dialogue between Faith and Reason; we are joyfully and faithfully Catholic.
Benedictine Identity: Inspired by the Benedictine Sisters who founded the university, we cherish a heritage of prayer, community, and service, modeling virtues of warm hospitality, balance, and generosity.
Equal Opportunity Employer


 
Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*