Controller

East 57th Street Partners; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

East 57th Street Partners is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead the accounting function for a healthcare company located south of downtown Chicago, in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. This role reports to the CFO and includes owning the month-end close, supervising a small team, and ensuring GAAP-compliant financial statements.

The Controller will partner with various departments to align accounting with revenue operations, drive process improvements, and support PE reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Progressive accounting experience with ownership of the month-end close.
• Experience managing and developing accounting team members.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Lead day-to-day accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement preparation.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a small accounting team while remaining hands-on when needed.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, and close processes to support growth.
• Partner with the CFO on reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with Revenue Cycle Management to improve reporting accuracy and cash collections.
• Support private equity reporting requirements and respond to financial information requests.
• Coordinate annual audits, tax filings, and relationships with external accounting partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes as the finance organization grows.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation preferred

Job description

Chicago Metropolitan Area, south of downtown between Chicago Heights and Plainfield | Hybrid

Compensation: Up to $160,000 Base Salary + Bonus

Our client, a growing private equity-backed healthcare company located south of downtown Chicago, between Chicago Heights and Plainfield, is seeking a hands‑on Controller to lead its accounting function and own the month‑end close process.

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Controller will manage a small accounting team while remaining actively involved in the day‑to‑day work. This is an opportunity for an accounting leader who enjoys building processes, developing a team, and rolling up their sleeves in a growing organization.

The Controller will take primary responsibility for accounting operations, allowing the CFO to focus more heavily on financial planning and analysis, strategic initiatives, and business growth. This individual will also work closely with the Director of Revenue Cycle Management to strengthen reporting and align accounting with revenue cycle operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Lead day‑to‑day accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement preparation.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a small accounting team while remaining hands‑on when needed.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, and close processes to support continued growth.
• Partner with the CFO on reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Director of Revenue Cycle Management to improve reporting accuracy, cash collections, and financial visibility.
• Support private equity reporting requirements and respond to financial information requests.
• Coordinate annual audits, tax filings, and relationships with external accounting partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes as the finance organization grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Progressive accounting experience, including ownership of the month‑end close process.
• Experience managing and developing accounting team members.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Ability to lead the accounting function while remaining involved in detailed work.
• Strong communication, leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Experience in a growing or private equity‑backed organization preferred.
• Healthcare industry experience strongly preferred.
• CPA designation and Big Four public accounting experience preferred.

Work Environment and Compensation

This is a hybrid position with on‑site and remote work each week. The company is located south of downtown Chicago, between Chicago Heights and Plainfield.

The position offers a base salary of up to $160,000, depending on experience, plus an annual performance bonus.