Business Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Business Controller

Experience Level: 7+ Years
Location: Glenview, Illinois
Reports To: Principals, CFO and COO

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly capable and detail-oriented Business Controller to join a small and growing organization in the areas of real estate and manufacturing . This role is ideal for someone who has strong fundamentals of accounting, enjoys building systems and processes, and is comfortable working in a developing business environment where structure is still being created.  It is a lean environment with limited dedicated accounting support and requires an assessment of needs, leveraging external resources where appropriate, and helping build the function over time.

The Controller will oversee day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, cash management, budget support, and process improvement. This person should be hands-on, adaptable, and able to grow with the company as the business becomes more complex.  The right candidate will be able to operate at a high level and in the details, ensuring that work gets done while also building a more structured and scalable function.

This is a key finance role for someone who can bring discipline, accuracy, and accountability to the accounting function while also helping leadership make informed business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Oversee the full accounting cycle, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, reconciliations, and month-end.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Maintain clean books and ensure transactions are properly coded, classified, and supported.
• Review bank reconciliations, credit card activity, intercompany transactions, and accruals.
• Support year-end close and coordinate with outside tax advisors, stakeholders, and other professional service providers.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting across multiple entities, departments, or business lines as needed.

Startup & Growth Environment

• Build and improve accounting procedures, internal controls, approval processes, and reporting workflows.
• Help create scalable systems for a growing organization.
• Identify gaps in current processes and recommend practical improvements.
• Assist with implementing or improving accounting software, reporting tools, dashboards, and document management systems.
• Support the development of policies for expenses, reimbursements, vendor management, cash controls, and financial reporting.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Cash Management

• Assist leadership with budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning.
• Monitor company cash balances and upcoming obligations.
• Prepare financial reports that help management understand performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Track expenses against budgets and identify variances.
• Support planning for growth, new ventures, acquisitions, capital projects, or operational expansion.

Compliance & Controls

• Maintain strong internal controls to protect company assets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable tax, reporting, payroll, insurance, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with external CPAs, payroll providers, banks, insurance advisors, and legal counsel when needed.
• Maintain organized records and documentation for audits, tax filings, financing, and ownership reporting.

Leadership & Team Development

• Evaluate staffing needs and help build the accounting team over time, including hiring, developing, and managing resources as appropriate.
• Establish clear responsibilities, deadlines, and accountability within the finance function.
• Serve as a trusted financial partner to leadership and operations.
• Communicate financial information clearly to non-accounting team members.
• Be willing to work hands-on while also building a stronger long-term department.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a practical, proactive finance professional who is comfortable in a business that is still developing its systems and structure. This person should not need everything to be perfectly organized before getting started. They should be able to take ownership, clean things up, create order, and help the company mature.  They should have experience in a growing or entrepreneurial business and understand that the role may involve both high-level financial oversight and hands-on accounting work.

The candidate is excited for the opportunity to establish a strong accounting foundation and build a scalable function as the business continues to grow.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Prior Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or similar experience preferred.
• Experience in a startup, family-owned business, private company, multi-entity business, real estate, manufacturing, construction, development, investment, or operating company environment is helpful.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and general accounting principles.
• Experience with month-end close, financial statement preparation, reconciliations, budgeting, and cash management.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with accounting systems.
• Experience with Sage Intacct and Bill.com is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of the accounting function, including identifying issues, resolving them, and establishing clear processes and accountability.

Key Traits for Success

• Hands-on and willing to roll up their sleeves.
• Comfortable in a startup or evolving company environment.
• Organized, accurate, and deadline-driven.
• Strong communicator with leadership and operations teams.
• Practical problem-solver.
• Exercises a high level of judgment, professionalism, and discretion. This role involves access to sensitive financial, operational, and ownership information, requiring consistent adherence to strict confidentiality standards.
• Able to create structure without overcomplicating the business.
• Growth-minded and interested in developing with the company.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The role may include base salary, bonus opportunity, benefits, and long-term growth potential depending on the company structure.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider applicants based on qualifications, experience, and alignment with the needs of the role.

We are seeking a motivated accounting and finance professional with experience in manufacturing and/or real estate to join our small, collaborative family office. This individual will help manage the financial operations, reporting, and accounting needs of a diverse portfolio of business entities.

Company Description

We are seeking a motivated accounting and finance professional with experience in manufacturing and/or real estate to join our small, collaborative family office. This individual will help manage the financial operations, reporting, and accounting needs of a diverse portfolio of business entities.