The Associate Vice President for Finance and University Controller (AVP) provides strategic oversight for the financial infrastructure that supports Virginia Tech’s academic, research, and outreach missions. This individual reports to the Chief Financial Officer and plays a vital role in maintaining operational excellence in accounting, financial compliance, and institutional stewardship. The AVP partners with leadership across the university to ensure financial operations are transparent, effective, and aligned with strategic priorities.
The AVP oversees accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, internal controls, and financial system optimization. They ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, Uniform Guidance, IRS, DOL, and other regulatory frameworks. The AVP will serve as a visible leader, collaborating across departments and units to meet stakeholder needs, streamline operations, and uphold institutional values of inclusion, service, and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership and Collaboration
• Partner with the CFO to design and implement financial policies and procedures that reflect university priorities, support student success, and advance research and outreach missions. Advise the CFO on regulatory issues impacting the university’s financial operations.
• Partner with the CFO on executive-level communication and presentations to effectively convey financial status & performance, insights, analysis, audit outcomes, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide financial leadership in the management and evolution of the university’s Enterprise Resource Management systems with ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to transform finance work, challenge existing processes, and envision, design, and communicate a future state for the finance operations.
• Lead the financial oversight of the University’s affiliate entities, including liaison and support of affiliate Boards, monitoring financial performance, etc.
• Serve as the university’s fiscal officer, ensuring compliance with state directives, and state and federal laws and regulations.
Accounting and Compliance Operations
• Lead core functions including general accounting, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and tax compliance.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of university-wide financial statements, regulatory filings, and audits (including the Single Audit and financial statement audit).
• Manage the annual audit process with the Auditor of Public Accounts and other audits as requested or required by governmental agencies or university executives.
• In partnership with Human Resources, ensure human capital management systems support properly authorized, accurate compensation and reporting.
• In partnership with the AVP for Procurement, ensure e-procurement systems support properly authorized, accurate expenditures and reporting.
• Ensure the integrity of the university’s chart of accounts, financial data control, and integration with the university’s financial system of record
• Maintain robust internal controls and conduct risk assessments to ensure integrity and mitigate exposure.
• Oversee the university’s financial compliance functions including internal controls for the annual ARMICS Certification to the Commonwealth of Virginia, tax compliance, and ensure transactions are properly and accurately reflected in accounting systems.
Financial Systems Strategy
• Oversee implementation, integration, and maintenance of financial systems including ERP, payroll, procurement, and budgeting tools.
• Ensure data accuracy, security, audit-readiness, and alignment with operational workflows.
• Collaborate with IT and HR to integrate financial, student, and employee data systems for efficient reporting and compliance.
• Champion automation, technology and process improvements to minimize manual effort and increase the speed and accuracy of all accounting processes.
Research and Grants Financial Oversight
• In partnership with the Research Division, ensure grant accounting systems support properly authorized, allocable and allowable expenditures and reporting compliant with evolving grantor requirements.
• Manage development of the Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost rate proposal and fringe benefit rate proposal in accordance with OMB Uniform Guidance.
• Oversee the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and audit compliance.
• Coordinate with research administration and financial aid to track disbursements, receivables, and compliance with Title IV and sponsored research requirements.
Insurance and Risk Management & Insurance Oversight
• Oversee the Office of Risk Management & Insurance which facilitates traditional risk management programs, manages and administers the university's commercial insurance, insurance claims, and student health insurance program.
Capital, Auxiliary, and Endowment Financial Management
• Ensure accurate financial treatment of capital projects, real estate, auxiliary enterprises, and endowment/restricted fund activity.
• Oversee depreciation, asset tracking, and reporting on capital expenditures.
• Partner with capital budgeting and planning and treasury to forecast and align capital investments with institutional growth.
Tax Strategy and Oversight
• Oversee tax planning and compliance related to institutional activities, including unrelated business income tax (UBIT), payroll tax, retirement plan contributions, and sales/property tax.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state tax laws, coordinating with external tax advisors and legal counsel as needed.
Leadership and Organizational Development
• Lead and support a talented financial operations team, mentoring staff and fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture.
• Provide leadership and support to campus fiscal & administrative officers, balancing customer service and compliance
• Encourage continuous professional development, diversity in hiring and team building, and equity in resource access.
• Champion a culture of integrity, responsiveness, and shared accountability.
Institutional Engagement and Service
• Serve as a strategic partner to administrative units, academic departments, and university leadership.
• Provide consultation on new initiatives, revenue models, and financial sustainability planning.
• Represent Finance in university-wide projects, enterprise systems governance, and compliance committees.
