This position is only open to Network Employees. The successful candidate will select a designated home campus from CSUEB, SFSU, or SSU as part of the recruitment process (which may be their current home campus, but does not have to be).

Application Process

This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application, along with cover letter and resume, by 8am on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications.

Job Summary

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.

Key Qualifications

Experience:

• 8 years - Progressively responsible experience in accounting roles and oversight.
• 5 years - Experience leading teams in a management or leadership role.

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 Qualifications:

• 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)

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $15,417 to $17,500 a month. This position is a member of the Management Personnel Plan and serves at the pleasure of the President.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year. Sonoma State University is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer.

A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.

Supplemental Information

About Sonoma State University: 

Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community. 

Equal Opportunity & Mandated Reporting:

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Employment Eligibility & Conditions: 

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

Education Code 89521 - Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.

Application Process & Accommodations:

For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu. The ADA Coordinator is also available (hraccommodations@sonoma.edu) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

Annual Reports & Safety Information:

Sonoma State University's Annual Security Report (https://clery.sonoma.edu/annual-security-report) includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person by emailing the Clery Compliance and Safety Office at clery@sonoma.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available for viewing at https://housing.sonoma.edu/compliance-data/2024-campus-housing-fire-safety-report. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within Sonoma State University student housing facilities for three years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Residential Education and Campus Housing at housing@sonoma.edu.