.png){kind=logo}
Claflin University
Assistant Vice President/Controller
SITUATION OVERVIEW:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit an Assistant Vice President/Controller for Claflin University.
ABOUT CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY:
Founded in 1869, Claflin University is recognized by national publications, such as U.S. News and World Report, Forbes.com and Washington Monthly, as one of America’s best liberal arts colleges. The University proudly serves the state of South Carolina, the nation, and the world. The beautiful historic campus is home for approximately 1,900 students, from every region of the United States and more than 20 international countries.
Claflin students demonstrate extraordinary achievement, distinctive confidence, and a lifelong desire to transform society through visionary leadership. Their academic programs prepare students to compete and succeed in a global and technological society.
Claflin University is recognized for their rich legacy of STEM graduates. Graduates are highly competitive and are recruited for employment and for graduate and professional schools.
Recent graduates have been employed at Fortune 500 companies, in the Silicon Valley and in Investment Banking. Many matriculated at research one and Ivy League institutions to pursue graduate studies. Others are graduates of nationally ranked health professions schools in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health.
VISION, MISSION, & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Vision Statement
Claflin University will be recognized as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education that develops a diverse and inclusive community of globally engaged visionary leaders.
Mission Statement
Claflin University is a comprehensive institution of higher education affiliated with the United Methodist Church. A historically Black University founded in 1869, Claflin is committed to providing students with access to exemplary educational opportunities in their undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs. Claflin is dedicated to providing a student-centered, liberal arts education grounded in cutting-edge research, experiential learning, state-of-the art technology, community service, and life-long personal and professional fulfillment.
Claflin is a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff, and administrators who work to cultivate practical wisdom, judgment, knowledge, skills, and character needed for globally engaged citizenship and effective leadership.
Guiding Principles
At the center of everything they do is a system of values informing and guiding all policies and programs. These values, expressed through their decisions and actions, are defined by five over-arching guiding principles:
Commitment to Excellence: They will strive for excellence through creativity, innovation and efficiency that allow for optimization of resources. Commitment to Valuing People: They will value people by providing a safe, wholesome, and healthy environment that fosters mutual respect, diversity, and inclusion.
Commitment to Being Student Centered: They will focus on all aspects of student life including student-centered education by embedding skills and praxis that foster life-long learning and independent problem solving and also translate their needs and expectations into actions that embody exceptional service.
Commitment to Exemplary Educational Programs: They will provide exemplary educational programs and an effective learning community by ensuring that they represent the highest standards of academic excellence and by continuous quality improvement.
Commitment to Fiscal Accountability: They will commit to financial accountability by promoting and fostering a culture of compliance, integrity, and fiscal responsibility throughout the University.
Motto
“As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
POSITION:
The Assistant Vice President/Controller serves as a senior member of the Division of Fiscal Affairs, providing leadership and oversight of the University's accounting and financial operations. This position is responsible for ensuring the integrity of financial records and compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements. The AVP/Controller directs the operations of the Accounting Department, including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Grant Accounting, and Student Accounts (Bursar).
This position plays a critical role in the University’s financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and operational efficiency and will work closely with internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a strong background in accounting within higher education and a deep understanding of enterprise resource planning systems, particularly Jenzabar.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
- Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for accounting operations including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Grant Accounting, and Student Accounts (Bursar);
- Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and relevant federal and state regulations;
- Manage the annual audit process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors;
- Maintain and enforce strong internal controls and policies to safeguard University assets;
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing processes;
- Prepare and analyze financial statements, reports, and forecasts for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees;
- Support the development and monitoring of the University's annual operating and capital budgets;
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid and grant accounting requirements;
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate accounting staff, promoting a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement;
- Serve as the lead administrator for the accounting and finance modules within the Jenzabar ERP system; collaborate with IT and other departments to enhance and optimize system usage;
- Lead efforts to improve efficiency through process redesign, automation, and technology integration;
- Collaborate with departments across campus to ensure clear communication and effective financial practices;
- Stay current with changes in higher education finance, accounting standards, and applicable laws/regulations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required; master’s degree or CPA strongly preferred;
• Seven-plus years of progressive accounting/finance experience, with at least three years in a leadership or controller-level role, preferably in a higher education environment;
• Experience with Jenzabar ERP system is highly desirable.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
• Deep knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and regulations (including GAAP, GASB/FASB);
• Strong leadership, managerial, and team-building skills;
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and decision-making abilities;
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills; able to effectively communicate complex financial information to non-financial audiences;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other financial reporting tools.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT:
Ms. Ashley Schofield
Interim Vice President for Fiscal Affairs
Ashley is an experienced Administrator with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. She is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Budgeting, Enterprise Risk Management, Analytical Skills, and Microsoft Word. Ashley has a strong accounting professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) focused in Advanced Financial Management from Wake Forest University.
WHY IS THIS A COMPELLING POSITION?
As South Carolina’s oldest historically Black university, Claflin fosters a proud legacy of leadership, service, and purpose—where faculty and staff are not just employees, but essential partners in shaping the future.
Claflin offers a unique opportunity to be part of a mission-driven institution that honors their historic roots while boldly embracing progress. Here, your work contributes to a transformative educational experience—empowering students from diverse backgrounds to become global citizens, ethical leaders, and lifelong learners.
It is an exciting time to lead the School of Education because you will lead a school dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of culturally responsive educators and leaders who are committed to equity, access, and community engagement.
The university's culture is built on mentorship, collaboration, and mutual respect, with a deep emphasis on professional development and innovation.
You will find purpose in helping students achieve personal and academic success, while also enjoying a workplace that celebrates diversity, encourages creativity, and fosters a strong sense of belonging. Whether inside the classroom, through research, or within the broader community, working at Claflin means playing a pivotal role in creating meaningful, lasting change.
LOCATION
Living and working in Orangeburg, South Carolina, offers the opportunity to be part of a vibrant and welcoming community with deep educational and cultural roots. As home to institutions like Claflin University and South Carolina State University, the city fosters an environment of learning, innovation, and civic engagement.
Residents benefit from a lower cost of living, a relaxed pace of life, and access to natural beauty, such as the Edisto River and local parks, while still being within reach of larger cities like Columbia and Charleston.
Orangeburg combines the charm of small-town living with meaningful career opportunities, especially in education, healthcare, and public service.
It is a place where personal and professional growth can thrive alongside community connection and quality of life.
Claflin University IN THE NEWS:
Jul 28, 2025
Jun 30, 2025
Jun 25, 2025
Claflin University Athletics Department to Host Nissan of Orangeburg PAWS UP Golf Classic and Soiree
Jun 11, 2025
Jun 11, 2025
Claflin University Celebrates Movie Theater Rebrand as The Nissan of Orangeburg Movie Theater
Jun 11, 2025
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:
1. Initial interviews with ZRG
2. ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
3. Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment
4. Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
5. Formal referencing
6. Offer extended
ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS:
ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.
Dakota Doman
Managing Director
ddoman@zrgpartners.com
Dakota Doman is a dynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration, executive search, organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG’s Education Practice, bringing a comprehensive perspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Before ZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal of TM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talent solutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment, strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation, contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country. Under his leadership, TM2 was nationally recognized for reshaping the executive hiring landscape for historically underserved institutions, and Dakota was featured in the February Black History Month edition of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a national publication spotlighting leader advancing equity and access in higher education.
Link to complete bio for Dakota Doman.
Jerel Booker
Principal
jbooker@zrgpartners.com
Jerel Booker is a seasoned executive specializing in talent strategy, organizational growth, and executive search, with over two decades of leadership experience across higher education, K–12, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he conducted national executive searches and oversaw enterprise operations—aligning people, processes, and performance to drive organizational growth and client impact.
Previously, Jerel held senior executive roles in government, education, and nonprofit leadership, including Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he oversaw internal division operations, staffing, and institutional statutory compliance within core functions. His leadership spans core operational domains including finance, human capital, technology, contracts, marketing, and enterprise risk management.
