Description

Controller & Chief Executive Officer, Research Corporation

Summary: The Controller & Chief Executive Officer, Research Corporation serves as a senior financial leader and the primary operational and strategic partner to the Vice President for Finance & Facilities/Chief Financial Officer.

This position functions with broad authority over the institution’s financial operations, including full responsibility for accounting, financial reporting, compliance, and internal controls. In addition, the role serves in a dual capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the WVSOM Research Corporation, with oversight of financial operations, governance coordination, and compliance for affiliated entities. 

This position also provides oversight of auxiliary business operations, including the campus bookstore and food service (O’Café), ensuring effective financial management, operational alignment, and service quality.

This position plays a key role in institutional financial strategy, decision-making, and execution, while maintaining direct accountability for core financial operations. The role serves as the primary operational leader for Finance & Facilities in the absence of the Vice President/CFO, with delegated authority to ensure continuity of leadership and institutional operations. The position integrates oversight across institutional accounting, sponsored programs, affiliated entities, and auxiliary operations, supporting consistency, compliance, and long-term financial sustainability.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Controller / Accounting Leadership

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Ensure preparation of accurate, timely financial statements in accordance with GAAP/GASB
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls and accounting procedures
• Oversee fixed assets, investments, and institutional funds
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial requirements
• Implement new accounting standards and regulatory changes
• Develop, implement, and maintain institutional financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance and operational effectiveness

Audit, Compliance, and Reporting

• Serve as primary liaison for external auditors (including Legislative audits)
• Coordinate all audit preparation, responses, and reporting
• Ensure readiness for audits and compliance reviews
• Ensure adherence to internal controls, risk mitigation practices, and institutional accountability standards
• Oversee required institutional reporting (i.e. IPEDS, grants, state/federal reports 

Financial Operations & Systems

• Provide financial leadership to Accounting, Bursar Operations, and WVSOM Institutional Advancement
• Oversee ERP finance operations and related systems (e.g. Banner, WVOASIS)
• Ensure integrity of financial data, reporting, and system interfaces
• Partner with Information Technology on system enhancements, upgrades, and issue resolution
• Lead process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy

Research Corporation Oversight

• Serve as Chief Executive Officer of the WVSOM Research Corporation and provide overall leadership for its operations, strategic initiatives, governance activities, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ensure appropriate accounting, reporting, and compliance for affiliated entities
• Support budgeting, financial reporting, and audits for research-related activities
• Ensure appropriate alignment and separation between institutional and affiliated finances
• Support governance coordination, including board reporting, policies, and fiduciary oversight of the Research Corporation
• Partner with the VP/CFO on budget development and monitoring for the Research Corporation
• Develop financial analyses, forecasts, and decision-support materials
• Assist in long-term financial planning and sustainability initiatives
• Prepare and/or present financial materials for executive leadership, the WVSOM Board of Governors, the WVSOM Research Corporation Board of Directors, and the Finance Committee, as appropriate.
• Provide financial oversight of sponsored programs and grant accounting
• Ensure compliance with federal/state grant requirements and reporting
• Coordinate with research leadership on financial integrity of awards
• Oversee grant expenditures, reporting, and audit readiness
• Ensure coordination between institutional grant accounting and Research Corporation activities, where applicable

Auxiliary Operations Oversight

• Provide financial and operational oversight for auxiliary business operations, including the campus bookstore and O’Café
• Monitor auxiliary performance, contracts, and service delivery to ensure alignment with institutional goals and financial sustainability
• Evaluate auxiliary financial performance, pricing, and cost structures to ensure long-term viability
• Partner with vendors and campus stakeholders to enhance service quality and operational effectiveness

Leadership & Administration

• Provide leadership across functional areas within the Office of Business Affairs, ensuring alignment, coordination, and effective execution of financial operations
• Ensure continuity of operations across all accounting functions
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture within Business Affairs
• Serve on institutional committees and support strategic initiatives
• Act on behalf of the Vice President/CFO as needed in leadership, operational, and decision-making capacities

Position: This is a full-time, non-classified position; it is exempt from FLSA regulations concerning overtime.  Not all activities of this position occur within the confines of an 8:00-4:30 schedule and may require evening and weekend scheduling as needed.  This position has been designated as Essential. This means that when WVSOM is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover and continue operations at WVSOM.

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and governmental accounting
• Experience with higher education or nonprofit financial operations
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with ERP systems (Banner preferred)
• Knowledge of grants accounting and compliance requirements
• Strong communication and ability to work across functional areas

Education and Experience: Position requires a Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Management from an accredited college or university. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a university or non-profit institution with emphasis in accounting, finance or budget management oversight. Proven experience leading internal teams in accomplishing institutional and state mandated deadlines and outcomes.  A CPA with demonstrated knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is highly preferred.