Associate Controller Operations

Associate Controller, Operations - Barnard College

Barnard College is seeking an Associate Controller, Operations to lead and oversee the College’s core financial operations and transactional workflows. This role reports to the Controller and is crucial for ensuring the efficiency, accuracy, and compliance of payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, travel and expense, and related payment processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for core financial transaction processes: payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, travel, and expense.
• Ensure timely and accurate execution of high-volume financial transactions across the College.
• Oversee payroll operations, including coordination with outsourced providers and compliance with regulations.
• Supervise Business Services Manager for accounts payable and purchasing operations, ensuring policy compliance.
• Coordinate operational components of monthly and annual financial close processes.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure appropriate internal controls.
• Identify and implement corrective actions for operational risks, inefficiencies, and control gaps.
• Collaborate with IT (Workday team) and other units to optimize financial workflows.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and professional development for operational finance staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in accounting, financial operations, or controllership.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing payroll, accounts payable, and high-volume financial transaction processes.
• Experience supervising staff and managing operational workflows.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, financial operations, and compliance.
• Experience with enterprise financial systems and operational financial workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or relevant professional certification.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, or complex institutions.
• Experience with Workday Finance or comparable ERP systems.
• Experience overseeing outsourced payroll providers and vendor payment operations.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong operational management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement capabilities.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse institutional units.
• Commitment to operational excellence, financial stewardship, and continuous improvement.

Work Arrangement

Primarily in-person with limited hybrid flexibility, subject to operational needs.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $130,000 – $140,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Barnard College offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Key skills/competency

• Associate Controller Operations
• Financial Operations
• Payroll Operations
• Accounts Payable
• Purchasing
• Internal Controls
• Financial Reporting
• Workday Finance
• Process Improvement
• Staff Supervision