Controller

Beech Valley Solutions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Beech Valley Solutions in Chicago, IL seeks an experienced Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, and compliance operations for a mission-driven fraternal benefit organization. This on-site role oversees payroll, investment accounting, and audit readiness in a highly regulated environment, ensuring SAP, GAAP, and IDOI reporting accuracy and timeliness.

The ideal candidate has a CPA and 7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with leadership experience and strong systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• 7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership.
• Strong understanding of SAP and GAAP.
• Experience with insurance organizations or regulated financial entities.
• Familiarity with Illinois Department of Insurance regulations.
• Proven experience managing audits, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting operations, financial reporting, and general ledger activity.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with SAP, GAAP, and IDOI reporting requirements.
• Manage audits, internal controls, and financial documentation to support compliance and audit readiness.
• Oversee payroll processing, payroll reconciliations, and related reporting activities.
• Monitor cash positions, bank activity, investment transactions, and annuity-related accounting.
• Prepare journal entries, trial balances, account reconciliations, and supporting financial schedules.
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting, and investment accounting processes across multiple financial institutions.
• Review and maintain financial records, invoices, tax-related reporting, and supporting documentation.
• Support claims, annuity, pension, and tax-related financial reporting processes.
• Lead and mentor accounting staff while partnering with internal teams and external vendors.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory reporting

GAAP

SAP

Audit management

Insurance industry

Illinois regulations

Budgeting & forecasting

CPA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA certification

Tools

Sage

Sovos

Job description

Beech Valley is partnering with a mission-driven fraternal benefit organization in Chicago, Illinois to identify an experienced Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, and compliance operations. This onsite role is responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial integrity, regulatory reporting, payroll operations, investment accounting, and audit readiness in a highly regulated environment. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership experience, deep technical accounting knowledge, and familiarity with insurance or regulated financial entities. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding member assets and ensuring accurate, timely financial reporting in accordance with statutory accounting principles (SAP), GAAP, and Illinois Department of Insurance requirements. What You’ll Do

• Oversee all accounting operations, financial reporting, and general ledger activity
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reconciliations
• Ensure compliance with statutory accounting principles (SAP), GAAP, and Illinois Department of Insurance reporting requirements
• Manage audits, internal controls, and financial documentation to support compliance and audit readiness
• Oversee payroll processing, payroll reconciliations, and related reporting activities
• Monitor cash positions, bank activity, investment transactions, and annuity-related accounting
• Prepare journal entries, trial balances, account reconciliations, and supporting financial schedules
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting, and investment accounting processes across multiple financial institutions
• Review and maintain financial records, invoices, tax-related reporting, and supporting documentation
• Support claims, annuity, pension, and tax-related financial reporting processes
• Lead and mentor accounting staff while partnering with internal teams and external vendors What We’re Looking For
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA strongly preferred
• 7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Strong understanding of statutory accounting principles (SAP) and GAAP
• Experience with insurance organizations, fraternal benefit societies, or other regulated financial entities preferred
• Familiarity with Illinois Department of Insurance regulations and reporting requirements
• Proven experience managing audits, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Experience overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and investment accounting activities
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills
• High level of integrity with the ability to manage sensitive financial and member information Nice to Have
• Experience working within nonprofit or membership-based organizations
• Understanding of reserve accounting and actuarial coordination
• Experience with Sage, SOVOS, or similar accounting and financial reporting systems
• Background supporting annuity accounting, pension activity, or claims-related financial processes