Controller

Queen’s is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples.

Ne Yonterihwayenhstahkwa’kó:wa nene Yonontí:yo akáowenk tká:yen tsi niyohwentsyà:ke tsi nón:we ne Rotinonhsyón:ni táhnon ne Ratirón:taks thatinákere

Gichii Ogiimaa Ikwe gichii-gakina’amaadii’igamig owedi ayaamagad Anishinaabeg idash Naadaweg gaa dan’akiyaad

One of Canada’s leading universities, Queen’s has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, research, student experience, student leadership, and engaged alumni. Home to over 27,000 students, Queen’s boasts an undergraduate graduation rate of 93 per cent, diverse learning opportunities, a broad range of students’ services and supports, unmistakable school spirit, and a tight-knit global network of 159,000 alumni in 153 countries. Graduates from Queen’s University are part of an international community of lifelong learners and accomplished leaders. Queen’s University is highly ranked in Canada for student experience, taking an inclusive approach, and offering learning beyond the classroom; this experience includes a variety of student clubs, as well as a robust international exchange program with more than 220 partners. Queen’s has also made a formal commitment to the health and wellness of students, staff and faculty by joining universities from around the world in adopting the “Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges”. Queen's also became a signatory to the “Scarborough Charter On Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion” in Canadian Higher Education, committing Queen's to implementation of the Charter's various action items and to full accountability to a sector network of signatory institutions.

It is within this context that Queen’s University is embarking on a search for its next Controller.  

Reporting to the Associate Vice-Principal (Finance & Administration), the Controller is the chief accountant in the University and is responsible for ensuring that both the University’s internal and external financial reporting is accurate, timely, and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and/or other applicable standards. As a member of the financial leadership team, the Controller is responsible for providing operational and strategic leadership across the University. The Controller directs all activities and functional areas of Financial Services including financial reporting, banking, accounts receivable, payroll, research accounting and University financial systems. The incumbent provides broad oversight of financial accounting and compliance matters and advises and supports the Vice-Principal (Finance & Administration), Associate Vice-Principal (Finance & Administration), and the University’s leadership in efficient and effective monitoring, management, and control of the financial resources of the University. The Controller participates on various University Committees and provides reports to the Board of Trustees as required.

As a senior finance executive, the Controller partners with the VP (Finance & Administration) and AVP (Finance & Administration) to develop short and long-term strategic plans to ensure that the University has a progressive, stable and secure financial landscape, providing stakeholders with services, leadership and expertise that are in alignment with the goals and priorities of the University. The Controller champions collaboration, operational efficiency, high levels of client service and transparent decision-making. The Controller is responsible for developing and maintaining internal and external financial reporting, resolving accounting and reporting issues, identifying and monitoring financial risk, and developing and maintaining strong internal controls that apply to and protect the reputation that Queen’s has built and proudly maintained over the years as one of Canada’s leading universities.

As the ideal candidate, you are a strategic but detailed orientated, dynamic and proactive finance and accounting leader with a strong technical background. You bring strong analytical problem-solving skills coupled with an ability to compile, synthesize and interpret relevant data from a wide variety of sources. Your career includes progressive management experience in a complex environment, in a collaborative and collegial manner, using highly developed relationship building, influencing, and negotiating skills to achieve results. You are adept at managing confidentiality and with ensuring adherence to standards and/or policies. You posses a client service orientation that anticipates and responds to needs and demands of clients in a manner that is tactful, diplomatic and responsive. You bring experience managing a team of people, including professional staff, and have exceptional verbal, written and presentation communication skills. Your career includes progressive accounting experience with strong knowledge of GAAP, and knowledge of NPO GAAP would be considered an asset. You are deeply committed to, and have demonstrated experience, supporting equity deserving individuals, and your values in alignment with Queen’s I-EDIA goals. Candidates must hold a degree from a recognized university and a professional accounting designation such as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

To apply or explore this leadership position at Queen’s University further, please contact Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) or visit https://griffithgroup.ca/controller-queens-university/

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is strongly committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

The University will provide support in its recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes an applicant’s accessibility needs into account. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please contact Jane Griffith at Jane@griffithgroup.ca and hradmin@queensu.ca . Every effort to accommodate candidates will be made in a way that is equitable and respectful of their additional professional, community, and personal responsibilities.