Controller

AIDS Foundation of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AIDS Foundation of Chicago is seeking an experienced accounting leader to manage all accounting operations, ensure GAAP compliance, and oversee audits. The role requires nonprofit and grant management expertise, strong analytical skills, and the ability to lead a finance team in a dynamic organization.

The position focuses on improving accounting processes, coordinating annual budgets and forecasts, and partnering with leadership to safeguard assets and optimize liquidity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• 7-10 years of progressive accounting and financial management experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, and grant management.
• Experience managing annual audits and regulatory compliance activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll posting, fixed assets, and cash management.
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and GAAP.
• Monitor financial performance and support the analysis of key financial trends and variances.
• Support the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial plans.
• Establish and maintain internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as organizational policies.
• Monitor cash flow and recommend strategies to optimize liquidity.
• Oversee 1099 filings, Form 990 and other required regulatory submissions.
• Lead the annual financial statement audit and liaison with external auditors.
• Coordinate audit schedules, supporting documentation, and management responses.
• Implement recommendations from audit findings and management letters.
• Ensure timely completion of audit and compliance requirements.
• Supervise accounting staff, providing coaching, performance management, and development.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate and improve accounting processes and financial systems.
• Support organizational initiatives and cross-functional projects.
• Assist Sr. Director of Finance and CFO in evaluating financial risks, opportunities, and sustainability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Nonprofit accounting

Grant management

Excel proficiency

Financial analysis

Regulatory awareness

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Job description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll posting, fixed assets, and cash management.
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and GAAP.
• Monitor financial performance and support the analysis of key financial trends and variances.
• Support the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial plans.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as organizational policies.
• Monitor cash flow and recommend strategies to optimize liquidity.
• Oversee 1099 filings, Form 990 and other required regulatory submissions.

Audit Management

• Lead the annual financial statement audit and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Coordinate preparation of audit schedules, supporting documentation, and management responses. Ensure restricted and unrestricted funds are properly allocated and released from restriction when appropriate.
• Implement recommendations from audit findings and management letters.
• Ensure timely completion of all audit and compliance requirements.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise and develop accounting staff, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate and improve accounting processes and financial systems.
• Support organizational initiatives and cross-functional projects.

General

• Assist the Sr. Director of Finance and the CFO in evaluating financial risks, opportunities, and organizational sustainability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assignment of duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior Manager of Donor Services, Senior Manager of Accounting, and Manager of Accounting for CHH.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• 7-10 years of progressive accounting and financial management experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, and grant management required.
• Experience managing annual audits and regulatory compliance activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles.
• Knowledge of grant compliance and donor-restricted funding requirements.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial management systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial reporting skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present financial information to non-financial audiences.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Leadership and Team Development
• Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Accountability and Results Orientation
• Mission Alignment

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to accurately and effectively present AFC information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands are representative of those found in a general office environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment is representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-25 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.