Financial Controller

Course; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Course, a Chicago-based financial services firm, seeks an experienced Controller to oversee accounting, compliance, treasury, and HR operations at our Chicago headquarters.

You will lead GAAP reporting, audits, and regulatory filings, manage cash flow, vendor payments, payroll, benefits, and HR systems, and partner with senior management to safeguard financial integrity and strategic growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience; Controller or senior role preferred.
• CPA is preferred; CPA qualification is valued.
• Experience in financial services and regulated environments.
• Strong technical accounting skills and knowledge of financial systems.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to work with senior management, auditors, regulators, and staff.
• Proactive and aligned with integrity, respect, accountability, teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations including financial reporting, payables, receivables, payroll, and GAAP compliance; prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual statements; maintain budgets and internal controls.
• Coordinate annual audits and tax filings.
• Prepare and submit regulatory filings (FOCUS/SSOI, SIPC/SEC, FINRA) and lead FINRA audits.
• Manage treasury functions: cash flow, intercompany reconciliations, bank/investment accounts, wire payments, vendor payments.
• Oversee HR: onboarding, payroll, benefits, 401(k)/profit-sharing, open enrollment, COBRA, insurance renewals, workers’ comp audits and HR systems.
• Negotiate vendor contracts, manage office administration, and contribute to firm strategy.
• Assist with contracts, profitability, compensation, margins, etc.
• Oversee collections, policies, and procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Financial analysis

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

GAAP accounting software

ERP systems

FINRA/SIPC/SEC reporting tools

Job description

A Chicago-based financial services company is currently seeking an experienced Controller to oversee accounting, compliance, treasury, and HR operations. This high-impact role ensures the firm’s financial integrity, regulatory precision, and smooth day-to-day operations. The position is based at our Chicago headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting & Finance: Lead all accounting operations including financial reporting, payables, receivables, payroll, and GAAP compliance. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements. Maintain and track budgets, KPI’s and have strong handle on the business. Establish and maintain strong internal controls.
• Audit & Tax: Coordinate annual audit activities and tax filings.
• Regulatory & Compliance: Prepare and submit FOCUS/SSOI reports, SIPC/SEC filings, and FINRA filings. Lead FINRA audits and ensure deadlines are met through proactive monitoring of the Firm Gateway.
• Treasury Management: Reconcile bank and investment accounts monthly, manage intercompany reconciliations, oversee cash flow, wire transfers, and vendor payments.
• Human Resources: Manage onboarding, payroll, benefits, and 401(k)/profit-sharing plans. Oversee open enrollment, COBRA, insurance renewals, workers’ comp audits, and HR systems. Review employee background checks, I-9s, and maintain compliance records.
• General Administration: Negotiate vendor contracts, oversee insurance coverage, and manage office administration. Contribute to firm strategy sessions.
• Assist with contracts, profitability, compensation, bonus plans, margins, etc.
• Collections, policy and procedures.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience; prior Controller or more senior role strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting; CPA preferred.
• Financial or professional services background, ideally within a regulated environment.
• Strong technical accounting skills and knowledge of financial systems.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and effective in working with senior management, auditors, regulators, and staff.
• Proactive, consistent with firm core values of integrity, respect, accountability, teamwork, quality control and resourcefulness

Why Join Us?

• This is a rare opportunity to have broad oversight in a growing financial services firm where your work will directly impact leadership decisions, regulatory standing, and firm-wide operations. You’ll join a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where financial discipline and strategic insight are highly valued.