Controller

POSITION: Controller DEPARTMENT: Finance REPORTS TO: Chief Financial Officer FLSA: Exempt ROLE: Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller will be responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting and reporting activities. As the number-two executive to the CFO, the Controller will be involved in supporting presentations to the board, finance and audit committee and will work closely with the senior leadership team. The Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations of a budget of $13 million and supervise a team of two staff members including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration. The Controller will ensure that the Chicago Urban League has optimally functioning financial and accounting systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits. The Controller will work closely with program leaders and their staff to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures and explore how the finance function can support program operations. In addition, she or he will collaborate with the CFO and Chief Operating Officer to enhance and better integrate finance, HR, and IT functions. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING LEADERSHIP Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements. Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures. Coordinate all audit activity. Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership abreast of the Chicago Urban League’s financial status. Prepare and submit monthly financial reports to senior staff and ensure timely upload of monthly financials to NUL’s affiliate data portal Assist the Chicago Urban League’s leadership in the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate. Support the CFO in engaging the board’s audit and finance committees around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery. Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting; collaborate with program leads to ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collate financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants. Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with the program vice presidents; continuously collaborate with program vice presidents to assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations. Establish consistent monthly meetings with program VPs and other department heads to review expenses and revenues. Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines. TEAM LEADERSHIP Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals. Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment. QUALIFICATIONS: This is an extraordinary opportunity for an accounting and finance professional with five to seven years of experience, ideally beginning in accounting and audit, followed by experience gathering, evaluating, presenting and reporting financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience in a complex nonprofit that has multiple programs. Specific requirements include: Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals. Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment. Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to the Chicago Urban League’s mission A proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the CFO, the responsibility for finance. Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments. A record of accomplishment in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential. Technology savvy with experience overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software. Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly. Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills, which allows for strategic data interpretation versus simple reporting. Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board or other outside partners. Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Minimum of a BA; CPA and/or MBA preferred 5-7 years of accounting and finance experience BENEFITS: Medical Dental & Vision Flexible Spending Account 401K Life Insurance Short & Long-Term Disability Flexible Time Off Parental Leave Twelve Paid Holidays #J-18808-Ljbffr