Associate Controller for Financial Reporting & Business Analytics

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

1d

About The Position

The Associate Controller for Financial Reporting and Business Analytics reports to the University Controller and provides leadership for institutional financial reporting, analytics, and decision support. The role is responsible for developing and maintaining reporting frameworks, monitoring financial trends and benchmarks, and supporting data informed planning and resource allocation. In addition, the Associate Controller oversees Operational Accounting functions related to financial system integrations, transactional data processing, and data loads within the Workday ERP environment, ensuring alignment between operational activity and strategic reporting. The Associate Controller serves as a key advisor to senior leadership, translating complex financial information into clear and reliable insight while ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements and making effective use of modern analytics, automation, and reporting tools to support accuracy, efficiency, and strong controls. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business analytics, management information systems or a related field
• At least five years of progressive experience in financial reporting, analytics, or related roles, preferably in higher education or public sector
• Demonstrated experience leading complex reporting initiatives and working collaboratively across a decentralized organization
• Strong working knowledge of accounting standards, internal controls, and regulatory compliance
• Proficiency with ERP systems (such as Workday), financial reporting tools, data visualization platforms, and advanced Excel skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting institution‑level financial reporting, analytics, or compliance functions within a research‑intensive (R1) university, land‑grant institution, or similar public sector environment
• Familiarity with reporting from ERP systems (e.g. Workday, Banner, Oracle) and data governance practices
• Experience applying automation or AI‑assisted tools in financial reporting or analytics contexts
• Master’s degree in a related field or CPA
• Knowledge of finance/accounting business processes/best practices
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of business principles and practices
• Exceptional analytical, interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Superior attention to detail; with the ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports

Responsibilities

• developing and maintaining reporting frameworks
• monitoring financial trends and benchmarks
• supporting data informed planning and resource allocation
• overseeing Operational Accounting functions related to financial system integrations, transactional data processing, and data loads within the Workday ERP environment, ensuring alignment between operational activity and strategic reporting
• translating complex financial information into clear and reliable insight while ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements and making effective use of modern analytics, automation, and reporting tools to support accuracy, efficiency, and strong controls
• Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Benefits

• university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• immediate leave accrual
• a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level