Controller

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM:

At United and Turtle Mountain Communications, your work helps deliver essential services that connect people and strengthen the communities you call home. Join a dedicated team that values reliability, innovation, and a commitment to customer experience in a supportive, growth-oriented work environment.

If you are motivated by purpose and want to make a meaningful community impact, you can continue developing your skills, collaborate with colleagues, invest in your future, and take pride in work that delivers lasting value every day.

Job Summary

The Controller leads UTMA’s day-to-day accounting operations to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timely reporting of the organization’s financial information. The role oversees general accounting, internal controls, accounts payable and receivable, cash reconciliations, fixed assets and plant accounting, and payroll accounting. Responsibilities also include financial reporting, regulatory reporting, and audit support.

As the primary accounting leader under the CFO, the Controller supervises accounting personnel and establishes effective accounting processes and controls. The role provides financial analysis to support sound business decisions and works closely with the CFO and other organizational leaders on budgeting, forecasting, regulatory compliance, and UTMA’s long-term financial health.

KEY RESPONISBILITES / DUTIES

Accounting Operations

• Lead and oversee UTMA’s day-to-day accounting operations.
• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, reconciliations, fixed assets, and other accounting functions.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and adjustments.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes.
• Ensure transactions are properly recorded, classified, supported, and authorized.
• Establish accounting procedures that promote consistency, accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare and review quarterly and annual financial statements.
• Ensure financial statements are accurate, timely, and prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Prepare financial reports and analysis for the CFO and organizational leadership.
• Analyze revenue, expenses, margins, trends, and significant financial variances.
• Investigate unusual financial activity or discrepancies and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Assist the CFO with financial information and presentations for executive leadership and the Board of Directors.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Coordinate with the CFO in developing UTMA’s annual operating and capital budgets.
• Work with department leaders to develop and monitor departmental budgets.
• Prepare regular budget-to-actual reporting and identify significant variances.
• Assist with financial forecasts, cash-flow projections, and long-range financial planning.
• Develop financial models and analyses for proposed investments, capital expenditures, operational changes, and other business decisions.

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Establish, document, monitor, and continuously improve UTMA’s internal financial controls.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of accounting duties and financial approval authority.
• Evaluate accounting processes for financial, operational, and fraud-related risks.
• Recommend improvements to financial policies, procedures, workflows, and systems.
• Monitor compliance with established accounting policies and internal controls.
• Protect organizational assets through effective financial controls and reconciliation processes.
• Maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality and security for financial information.

Audit, Tax, & Regulatory Compliance

• Under the direction of the CFO, coordinate annual financial audits and serve as the primary contact for external auditors.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and financial records.
• Respond to audit requests and coordinate implementation of audit recommendations.
• Assist with preparation and review of applicable tax filings and regulatory reports.
• Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, consultants, financial institutions, and regulatory organizations, as necessary.

Telecommunications & Capital Asset Accounting

• Maintain accurate accounting for UTMA’s telecommunications infrastructure, equipment, construction projects, and other capital assets.
• Oversee fixed-asset records, capitalization, depreciation, additions, disposals, and related reconciliations.
• Support accounting and financial reporting associated with broadband infrastructure projects.
• Assist with accounting and documentation associated with grants, loans, government programs, and other funding sources.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment of capital and operating expenditures.
• Develop familiarity with applicable telecommunications accounting and regulatory requirements. Ensure that appropriate financial reporting practices are maintained.

Payroll & Employee Benefit Accounting

• Oversee the financial accounting and reconciliation of payroll-related transactions.
• Reconcile payroll expenses, payroll liabilities, taxes, retirement contributions, insurance premiums, and employee benefit expenses.
• Partner with Human Resources on the accurate financial administration of compensation and benefit programs. Maintain appropriate separation of duties in this work.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting for wages, benefits, retirement programs, insurance, and other employee-related expenses.

Leadership & Department

Support

• Provide leadership, direction, training, and support to assigned accounting and finance employees.
• Establish clear responsibilities, expectations, procedures, deadlines, and accountability within the accounting function.
• Crosstrain finance personnel and document critical accounting processes to promote continuity of operations.
• Serve as an accounting and financial resource for managers and department leaders.
• Help managers understand budgets, financial reports, expenses, and their financial responsibilities.
• Promote financial accountability throughout UTMA.
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline accounting processes.
• Participate in organizational planning and special projects as requested by the CFO.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE / SKILLS & ABILITIES / EDUCATION

Required:

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• 10 or more years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• Experience with general ledger accounting, financial statements, month-end and year-end close processes, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience developing or maintaining internal accounting controls.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting/financial management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential and sensitive financial information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Previous Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar leadership experience.
• Experience with telecommunications, utilities, cooperatives, rural broadband, construction, or another capital-intensive organization.
• Experience with telecommunications accounting and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing fixed assets and capital construction projects.
• Experience supporting loans or federally funded programs.
• Experience coordinating external financial audits.
• Previous supervisory experience.

PHYSICAL & WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily sedentary work with occasional standing or walking
• Minimal travel may be required.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• May require lifting up to twenty-five pounds occasionally.
• Occasional extended hours during month end or audit periods

WORK LOCATION

The position will be based in an office in Langdon, Rolla or Bottineau, ND. This role requires the ability to travel throughout our service area.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

STATEMENT

United and Turtle Mountain Communication is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be modified at any time. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned. This document does not constitute a contract of employment.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Professional Accounting: 10 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Langdon, ND 58249 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Langdon, ND 58249: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person