Controller Jobs in Chicago, IL

Associate Vice President, Controller

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.

The Associate Vice President, Controller will be responsible for high-level accounting, managerial accounting, and oversee the financial activities of the company. As head of the accounting department, the controller will manage and supervise all aspects of accounting from payroll to purchasing, budgeting, contracts, and tax compliance. The AVP assures that other managers and the Board of Safer have timely and accurate information with which to make financial agency decisions. The AVP, Controller will report to the chief financial officer, and will support the development of internal control policies, procedures, and financial planning.

This position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values: Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains a documented system of accounting policies and procedures; implements a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize risk.
• Develops and implements accounting protocols agency wide
• Proactively provide data and analysis and respond promptly and accurately to requests for assistance from Safer managers and external customers.
• Oversees the production of financial reports; ensures that the reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards.
• Recommends benchmarks that will be used to measure the Safer's performance.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal government requirements including IRS requirements. Maintain controls that are adequate to protect the assets of Safer.
• Serve as primary liaison and contact person to Safer's Accounting firm for purposes of the annual audit and other relevant projects.
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.
• Ensures all Safer managers receive necessary financial data for the annual budget planning process on time and in a manner and format that is clear and concise.
• Ensures Safer's information system are operating effectively. Systems should enhance productivity; All line staff members receive necessary training. Effective, helpful problem solving support is provided on time and with the highest standards of customer service.
• Ensures purchasing activities are conducted with the highest standards of customer service, balanced with sound purchasing practices that minimize costs to Safer. The purchasing manager is proactive in suggesting alternatives to line managers. Necessary controls are in place but are imposed in a non-bureaucratic way that does not impede the work of line departments.
• Manage and complete the annual budget process in a timely manner and in a format that is understandable to end users at various levels of the organization.
• Works with external auditors and provides needed information for the annual audit.
• Develop and enhance relationships with customers' vendors and employees( stakeholders) ; and safeguard Safer's assets.
• Provides financial analysis regarding, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.
• Provide Safer managers with timely suggestions for program and operational enhancements, based on data and the analysis of that data by Finance and based on observation of operations.
• Works closely with Human Resources and Fund Development for agency planning and staffing, providing timely and accurate financial documentation.
• Ensures contracts are administered according to the terms of the contract.
• Produces the annual budget and forecasts; reports significant budget differences to management.
• Ensure all data is timely and accurate, accessible, and useful for appropriate stakeholders.
• Ensures regular management reports are produced on time, which allow managers to track their performance versus budget.
• Annual budget is properly planned and completed on time annually
• Ensure effectiveness and compliance for the accounting and financial concerns of the organization by staying abreast of trends and regulations in the business arena
• Oversees the operations of the Accounting Department, which include accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, and payroll.
• Oversees accounting training programs and identifies training needs of department and needs of the agency relative to accounting practices.
• Department staff members meet regularly to be informed of policy, procedures, and issues; to collectively discuss and problem solve, and to make recommendations to the AVP.
• Department staff (and non-departmental employees who use or have input into department activities) receive required and desirable training, support and supervision.
• Provide direction and supervision of the Accounting Manager, Purchasing Manger, Payroll Bookkeeper and the ATC Business Office Manager
• Provide oversight and direction for the generation of billings and required reports to external customers that result in the accurate request and receipt of receivables.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High level of knowledge about taxation, both for-profit and not-for-profit.
• Some knowledge of all of the following and detailed knowledge in at least one of these areas: Acquisitions, Cash management, Investments, Start-ups, Cost accounting.
• Excellent management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in accounting and tax preparation software.
• Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (Video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting or Business Administration required.
• Ten years or more of related experience required.

Licenses and or Certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designation preferred.

Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans