University Controller and Executive Director of Enterprise Financial Accounting

Company: UNC-Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Position Summary Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance ( AVC ), the University Controller and Executive Director (ED) for Enterprise Financial Accounting provides the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations (VC F&O) and AVC with strategic guidance on the annual financial report, accounting policies, financial systems, and fiscal policy. The University Controller is responsible for preparation and completion of the University’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report; Payroll Services; Accounting Services; Financial Reporting covering budget execution, capital accounting, and university level financial management reports; Capital Accounting; and management and curation of the General Ledger and Chart of Accounts. This position works closely and collaboratively with the University’s executive leadership, vice chancellors, deans, department heads, and budget and financial managers across the institution to provide excellence in customer service and add value throughout the institution. The position leads the preparation and review of university financial statements and reporting and provides periodic internal updates on trends in financial performance. The position also provides guidance on accounting, internal control considerations, and system/technology considerations for overall accounting and reporting for University-wide activities. Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of experience as a senior finance professional managing the accounting, reporting and financial operations of a comparably complex or sized higher education institution, Federal, State, or local government entity, non-profit, or public corporation. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience preparing and delivering annual financial reports for a higher education institution, government entity, or entity of similar complexity to UNC -CH for review by a Federal, state, local or independent auditor acting on behalf of a public governing body. The successful candidate will have knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, accounting and reporting practices, and techniques. In addition, the candidate will have a working knowledge and understanding of sophisticated accounting systems; federal and state tax codes; databases and data flows through complex university or government financial systems; risk management, including segregation of duties and related internal control concepts and principles; security risks and methods; and related federal and state laws. Extensive experience with financial system implementations, interfaces and maintenance for complex public entities is required. Experience with public governance, e.g. public boards, committees, or legislative entities is also required. The candidate will demonstrate strong planning, analysis, and management skills, and demonstrate leadership ability in supervising and developing staff with an emphasis on customer service. Experience in understanding business processes and re-engineering those to work efficiently and effectively is essential. Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience Strong communication and coalition-building skills are vital, as is a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and collaborative decision making in the workplace. Preference will be afforded to candidates who have performed the functions of this position in a public facing entity with significant public governance and oversight.

Keywords: UNC-Chapel Hill, Fayetteville , University Controller and Executive Director of Enterprise Financial Accounting, Accounting, Auditing , Chapel Hill, North Carolina