Assistant Controller

At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936. 

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

The Assistant Controller, under the leadership of the Controller, has accountability for the organization’s systems of internal controls, accounting, reporting, and financial management. Duties include managing an efficient, effective, and timely close process; supporting the organization’s annual independent audit; and fulfilling external reporting requirements including Form 990. Interfaces with funding bodies, bankers, auditors, and other regulatory bodies as required.

This position is based at our Easterseals Chicago location at 1939 W. 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608. 

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Accounting, Reporting, Analysis:

• Manage the month-end close process and prepare financial statements and related narrative reports for management and the Board of Directors.
• Review and approve accounting transactions, reconciliations, and related documentation.
• Maintain detailed, organized records of all financial activities and transactions including all compliance/ reporting due dates. 
• Provide onboarding and training to staff throughout the agency related to their financial and internal control responsibilities.
• Achieve financial objectives by managing expenditures; analyzing variances; identifying opportunities; initiating corrective actions.

Systems, Processes and Controls:

• Support the design and implementation of processes and controls throughout the organization; recommend strategies to optimize financial processes.
• Develop, communicate, and implement effective accounting practices with aligned technology solutions. Ensure continuous process improvement, cost effective system maintenance and support, and the development and implementation of centralized practices, systems, policies, controls, and management tools. 
• Guide financial decisions, protect assets and maximize return on financial assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies, procedures, internal controls, and reporting systems.
• Leverage technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, including optimizing the use of the organization’s financial software. 

Team Leadership:

• Provide team leadership to make accounting and reporting processes work effectively and efficiently. 
• Manage the work of the Accounting, Procurement and Disbursements teams.
• Organize work, establish priorities, make proper assignments of human resources, and efficiently allocate resources. 
• Provide timely performance feedback and take an active role in team development.
• Retain financial staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees. Ensure procedures are documented, and staff are cross trained.
• Set team goals and performance expectations. 

Other:

• Support the external audit, coordinating audit activities, preparing information and schedules/workpapers and resolving questions.
• Support reporting and other requests from Easterseals National Office. 
• Support debt compliance reporting. 
• Assist with tuition rate setting for the Easterseals Academies
• Comply with laws and regulations and accounting standards and guidance by maintaining knowledge, enforcing adherence to requirements, filing required reports, and advising management on needed actions.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• BA or BS in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.

Experience Required:

• Experience successfully preparing for and managing audits and managing month-end close cycles.
• Experience working in a non-profit setting, including experience with 990 information returns, government grants, Uniform Guidance, and single audits.
• Experience in preparing budgets, reports, and analyses.
• Public accounting experience, including experience planning and performing audits preferred.

Required Knowledge:

• Expert-level knowledge of GAAP and best practices in accounting, reporting, and internal controls.
• Strong knowledge of audit, data manipulation, analysis, purchasing, business operations and nonprofit industry.
• Strong knowledge of mathematical, statistical, and analytical computations and approaches.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and other government grants requirements, compliance, processes, systems, controls, and best practices.
• Highly proficient in using computers with related knowledge of software programs and internet. Strong knowledge of general ledger software (generic), as well as intermediate-level knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel. 
• Sage/MIP software knowledge and experience desirable.  

Skills/Abilities:

• Background promoting professional development opportunities, motivating staff, and empowering teams. Ability to inspire, influence, and enable others to achieve goals. 
• Systems orientation, with a track record of improving and enhancing technologies, developing new solutions, and maintaining an awareness of and willingness to use new and emerging platforms.
• Exceptional project management skills: demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex projects from conception to fruition, with continuous follow up to ensure project completion within specified time parameters. 
• Strong active listening skills and customer service orientation to accurately capture the needs of others and plan follow up for implementation.
• Proven ability to produce insightful, high-quality reports, and to maintain integrity of data; keen attention to detail and accuracy is imperative. 
• Outstanding organizational skills and effective time management skills; ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously; ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to prioritize work, track/ monitor work, meet deadlines and produce quality results on time with attention to detail.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting complex materials in an understandable manner to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that allow for effective relationships in a diverse environment. 
• Resourcefulness and proactive work ethic. 

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to perform all job functions, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.