Application Process

This position is only open to Network Employees.

This recruitment is being managed by Sonoma State University. If you are interested in learning more about this leadership opportunity and submitting an application, please apply via the Sonoma State posting here: Network Controller Job Posting.  This position is open until filled. For position inquiry, please contact hr@sonoma.edu. 

The successful candidate will have a designated home campus within CSUEB, SFSU, or SSU, to be identified by the candidate as part of the recruitment process.

Salary and Benefits

PLEASE NOTE: The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $15,417.00 per month to $17,500.00 per month.

Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver.

For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package.

Classification

Administrator III

About Cal State East Bay

Cal State East Bay's beautiful main campus is located in the Hayward hills with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Situated above the city of Hayward, the campus offers an ideal setting for teaching and learning and yet easy access to the many cities along the bay. The University has a satellite campus in Concord, a professional development center in Oakland and a significant presence online. Founded in 1957, Cal State East Bay is one of 23 universities of the California State University system (CSU). Cal State East Bay is recognized as a regionally engaged and globally oriented university with a strong commitment to academic innovation, student success, engaged and service learning, diversity, and sustainability.

About the Position

Reporting to the Chief Financial Services Officer, the Network Controller provides management, oversight, and leadership to the Accounting & Financial Reporting team within the San Francisco Bay Region Network (“SFBRN” or “The Network”). The Network Controller provides strategic leadership for the Network’s accounting and financial reporting functions and oversees the day-to-day operations to ensure the integrity of financial records, the effective administration of financial controls, and compliance with campus and network financial reporting, including GAAP, FIRMS, SAM99, and other Chancellor’s Office reporting requirements. The Network Controller collaborates across the Network to align accounting operations with university needs, resolve complex financial issues, support audits and year-end processes, and implement accounting standards, system enhancements, and business process improvements. By driving process improvements and leveraging technology, the Network Controller enhances operational efficiency, strengthens internal controls, and fosters continuous improvement in accounting and financial compliance services.

The Network Controller delivers the Network’s strategic direction and organizational culture by ensuring that the Network’s accounting services are effective, sustainable, and aligned with the Network’s mission. This leader champions the advancement of the Network’s mission by setting appropriate standards for accounting operations and financial compliance, fostering collaboration, and empowering teams to deliver excellence to all stakeholders.

Responsibilities

 Operational Management and Guidance

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of Accounting and Financial Reporting for the Network.
• Serves as the primary decision-maker for Network accounting and financial reporting activities, with the discretion to escalate complex issues to leadership when necessary.
• Serves as the key Network liaison for accounting and financial reporting services, working in partnership with leaders across the Network and the Chancellor’s Office Financial Services to meet the accounting, compliance, and financial stewardship needs of Network universities.
• Establishes guidelines and provides guidance for effective and efficient accounting operations, including general ledger activity, reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, grants and contracts accounting, auxiliary accounting, capital asset accounting, debt and lease accounting, and tax and compliance matters.
• Oversees the preparation, review, and maintenance of accurate financial records, reports, and data ensuring completeness, consistency, and compliance with CSU policy, state and federal requirements, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), as applicable.
• Leads the annual accounting cycle, including fiscal year-end close, audit support, financial statement preparation, and other recurring reporting requirements.
• Ensures compliance with CSU, Chancellor’s Office, State Controller, GAAP, and legal/budgetary reporting requirements.
• Oversees campus and network financial reporting, including GAAP, FIRMS, SAM99, and other Chancellor’s Office reporting requirements along with the associated internal controls.
• Provides oversight for tax and compliance activities, including monitoring and interpreting regulatory requirements, coordinating filings and reporting, and mitigating institutional risk in consultation with appropriate stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively with Network universities and other business units to resolve accounting, reporting, and compliance issues and to support sound financial decision-making.
• Maintains working knowledge of applicable CSU policies, accounting pronouncements, regulatory requirements, and higher education financial management practices. Assists Network staff in ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and policy requirements.
• Oversees the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal controls and accounting procedures to safeguard assets, support audit readiness, and promote reliable systemwide financial reporting.
• Represents the Network on applicable CSU systemwide initiatives, meetings, and projects as needed.

• Leads, manages, and supervises the teams within Accounting & Financial Reporting, providing guidance, direction, and mentorship, fostering a positive work environment, and ensuring the alignment of team goals with the Network’s overall strategy and objectives.
• Manages the development of team members by helping them set and achieve goals for their career growth. Fosters an inclusive environment that values difference and creates a sense of belonging and appreciation for team members. Leads by example, demonstrating a high standard of ethics and accountability, and actively drives the process of embedding Network values and behaviors. Contributes to a culture of trust and transparency. Drives best-in-class customer service through effective team member engagement.
• In coordination with Human Resources, oversees personnel management tasks, including recruiting, selecting, training, guiding, and evaluating staff; takes corrective action as required; recommends salary actions, promotions, and terminations; participates in recruitment and orientation of new employees; and ensures staff effectively and equitably serve the needs of all Network universities.
• Manages direct reports in adherence to HR and institutional policies and procedures. Develops and monitors operational and budget processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources, and space planning.

• Manages customer service levels across the unit, fostering a best-in-class customer service culture. Develops, maintains, and ensures compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).
• Develops and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, and dashboards to assess service delivery, operational effectiveness, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
• Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, standardize practices, and eliminate redundancies across the Network accounting and financial functions, enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Leads initiatives to improve accounting operations, reporting processes, and internal controls through process redesign, automation, and improved use of financial systems and related technologies.
• Leverages automation and technology, where appropriate, to optimize processes, improve accuracy, and enhance service delivery and resource utilization.
• Fosters a culture of continuous improvement by challenging the status quo, encouraging creative problem-solving, and implementing innovative solutions that advance the Network’s strategic objectives.
• Establishes and leads cross-functional work groups for strategic accounting, reporting, and compliance projects, ensuring effective collaboration, clear communication, and alignment with the Network’s goals and objectives.
• Keeps up to date with changes in laws, regulations, accounting standards, and technologies that may affect accounting and financial compliance operations and informs relevant stakeholders. Assesses the impact of substantive changes and implements appropriate modification of policies and practices.

• Leads the development and maintenance of comprehensive documentation of university and Network accounting, reporting, and compliance policies, processes, and systems, promoting consistency across the Network universities. Ensures that crucial technical knowledge is accessible and understood by relevant stakeholders.
• Oversees the development and delivery of training programs for Network faculty and staff on accounting processes and systems. Provides ongoing guidance and support, ensuring consistent understanding of relevant policies and processes.
• Cultivates a culture of mentorship and continuous skill development within the Network. Champions initiatives that encourage knowledge sharing, coaching, and on-the-job learning.
• Ensures end-user communications are timely, transparent, and helpful. Maintains consistent communication with direct reports and senior leaders to resolve escalations and provide updates.
• Communicates with Network universities and other Network leadership to support the Network’s accounting, reporting, and compliance needs.
• Contributes to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Network.
• Promotes the Network ’s core values and consistently integrates innovation, employee fulfillment, teamwork, respect, excellence, integrity, service, and accountability into all aspects of work.
• Complies with Network, university, and unit policies and procedures regarding privacy of information, authorized use of Network resources, and the security of Network systems and data.
• Demonstrates safe work practices for oneself, others, and the office environment.Performs other related responsibilities as requested and when necessary. The Network reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Advanced financial, analytical, and planning skills, including preparing financial statements and implementing financial policy. Demonstrated expertise in accounting and finance systems management.
• Knowledge of financial management systems including payroll, accounts payable, general ledger, and other financial-related systems.
• Knowledge of cost recovery principles and their applications within the Network universities and with outside entities; General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) including all applicable Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements; and Single Audit Report preparation.
• Strong ability to apply integrative thinking across diverse perspectives, ensuring accounting and financial reporting outcomes support the broader goals of the Network.
• Strong understanding of relevant federal, state, local, system, and administrative laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to apply problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to manage or supervise a team in the formulation of goals and objectives, organizing work, delegating authority, training, and evaluating performance.
• Strong ability to analyze and prepare technical documents with exceptional attention to detail.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. In lieu of a degree, a minimum of five (5) years of experience in oversight of accounting operations, including staff supervision. 

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

•  3 years - Experience working in higher education, multi-campus systems, or similarly complex public sector organizations.
• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft and Oracle software systems.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment.  Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.

All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s  Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Other Information

All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free.  For more information, please visit our website here.

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available here. 

Sponsorship

Cal State East Bay is not a sponsoring agency for Staff or Management positions and we are not an E-Verify employer.

Mandated Reporter

The incumbent in this position may be considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and will be required to comply with requirements set forth in the CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.