Marietta College

Assistant Vice President of Finance and Controller

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Marietta College in its search for Assistant Vice President of Finance and Controller.

For full consideration, please apply by July 23, 2025.

Marietta College seeks an experienced financial leader to serve as Assistant Vice President of Finance and Controller, a pivotal leadership role at a time of momentum and transformation. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced financial professional to drive strategic fiscal operations, shape long-term financial planning, and support the institution’s mission through operational excellence and collaborative leadership. Marietta College continues to refine and implement its strategic initiatives, with a strong commitment to succession planning.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Finance & Administration/CFO, the Assistant Vice President will oversee a broad portfolio that includes financial reporting, budgeting, compliance, and internal controls. The position leads a dedicated and motivated team of five professionals within the Accounting & Business Services Department and will play a key role in modernizing financial systems, streamlining processes, and supporting key institutional priorities. The successful candidate will bring a deep understanding of accounting principles, a proactive approach to process improvement, and a genuine commitment to staff mentorship and leadership development.

Rooted in a tradition of academic excellence and responsible financial stewardship, Marietta College offers the close-knit culture of a liberal arts institution combined with the strategic ambition of a forward-focused university. Located in historic Marietta, Ohio, the College enjoys a picturesque campus and a strong connection to the local community, while also offering access to larger metropolitan areas such as Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Akron.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares quarterly financials and monthly operating results for review by CFO, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees.
• Performs month, quarter, and year end closing procedures including preparation of schedules and journal entries.
• Prepares cash flow projections and monitors cash balances.
• Prepares annual operating budget including coordinating with various departments on assumptions.
• Reconciles and prepares schedule for a unitized investment fund.
• Prepares debt covenant calculations for banks and monitors for compliance.
• Analyzes financial results and produces ad hoc reports.
• Assists in preparing for Board of Trustee meetings including Audit, Finance, and Investment Committees. Takes minutes for the committee meetings.
• Establishes procedures and implements new software in accordance with GAAP.
• Coordinates annual audit and 990 tax return with external auditing firm.
• Provides supervision for five employees in the Accounting & Business Services Department.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Understand and fulfill job duties within the scope of the mission statement.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of the College.
• Maintains professionalism in actions, communication, and behavior in every aspect of the position.
• Attends and completes any required training, certifications, or other professional development.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to prioritize and exercise independent judgement in high pressure situations while maintaining composure and a professional demeanor.
• Extensive knowledge of accounting principles and GAAP.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to work with large sets of data is required.
• Skilled at preparing financial reports with accuracy and superior attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service communication skills when interacting with the campus community and Board of Trustees.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to supervise employees, creating an atmosphere of professionalism and an environment that is positive and promotes a sustainable work/life balance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or related field
• At least five years of professional experience in accounting with a progression of increased responsibility at the Director/Manager level
• Proven experience driving large scale process improvements and implementing change
• Experience in higher education

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in accounting
• CPA certification

About the Institution

For nearly two centuries, Marietta College has embraced its commitment to serving young adults seeking to better their lives and to turn their life's passions into actionable good in the world. Committed to a contemporary liberal arts education and home to the 16th oldest chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Marietta offers more than 40 undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs in Physician Assistant Studies, Sustainability Leadership, and Psychology. 

At Marietta, students learn from talented faculty members who are respected in their fields and wholly dedicated to teaching the next generation of leaders. Our professors share their knowledge with students and challenge them to develop their skillsets through serious research, experiential opportunities, and internships. Every student completes Marietta's rigorous General Education Curriculum, which builds strong communication skills and exposes students to new ideas and interests. 

Our varsity athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III and against some of the best in the nation as a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference and Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference. Marietta has won six national championships and 64 conference titles, including an OAC-record 46 baseball titles. 

More than 26,000 living members of The Long Blue Line proudly support their alma mater and help current students gain internships and connections into their chosen industries. This support, in addition to the vibrant growth on campus, is one of the reasons why The Chronicle of Higher Education named Marietta College one of the Great Colleges to Work For. 

The College sits on 90 picturesque acres in Marietta, Ohio, located just blocks from a historic downtown area and the Ohio River. 

For more information about the College, please visit marietta.edu.

Living in the Area?

With a population of around 13,000, Marietta, OH offers a rich history and beautiful area with two rivers, parks, and a vibrant downtown always bustling with activity. Brick streets lined with lush hardwood trees and ornate Victorian homes make Marietta one of the most idyllic cities in the Midwest. National Geographic magazine named Marietta “One of the Best Places to Live” and “Best Adventure Town.” In 2019, the Travel Channel selected Marietta as the most charming small town in Ohio to visit. Described as beautiful and picturesque, the town offers something for everyone from the walkable downtown district with stores, boutiques, antique shops and galleries, as well as local restaurants, cozy cafes, historic theatres, and museums. Outdoor activities include hiking, cycling, boating, and kayaking. Marietta's cost of living is 20.9% lower than the U.S. average.

Marietta is part of a much larger Mid-Ohio Valley metropolitan area that includes nearby Parkersburg, West Virginia. This area sustains a combined population of around 133,000. Marietta is only a few hours from Columbus, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.

To Apply

For full consideration, please apply by July 23, 2025.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyk8lpu  

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to MariettaAVPFinanceController@acesrch.com.

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Institutional Information

Marietta College is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Marietta College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, gender orientation, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.