Controller

Chicago

Job Description Job Description Salary:

About Our Organization Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.  We believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country.  For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org

About You:

You have the passion and desire to work in a dynamic non-profit organization, you have the talent and skills to perform the job, and now you’re looking for just the right opportunity.  At Youth Guidance you’ll have the chance to use your passion and skills working alongside a team of talented individuals who share the same values.

Position Summary: The Controller leads all functional oversight over general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial reporting, and budgeting. The Controller will maintain appropriate systems and procedures to support effective program implementation and conduct effective and efficient audits.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

The Controller maintains and updates quality of GL data, accounting systems, and develops improvements and enhancements to systems and their related policies and procedures, including those for fund accounting, general ledger, financial reporting, AR/billing/collections, payroll, accounts payable, revenue/expense, fixed assets, etc

Comply with standard US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the recording of all accounting transactions/business activities.

The Controller organizes all work timelines for internal and external financial reporting including budgets, financial statements, tax returns, allocation schedules etc

Additionally, the Controller manages the preparation of the internal financial statements, approves reconciliations, approve month-end/quarter-end journal entries and adjusts entries, prepares timely and relevant financial analysis, and provides financial reporting support for the CFO

The Controller manages the audit process, banking relationships, cash flow projection, and internal controls

Ensures compliance with insurance requirements and external filings/regulations

Additionally, the Controller oversees the assurance that the work of the back office team is accurate and that expectations are met

Oversees the preparation of financial statement forecasts and the cash forecast; makes appropriate recommendations to senior management

Oversees the management of bank accounts, and cash and investment balances. Develops models to monitor and manage financial risk (interest rate, liquidity)

Stays abreast of developments in non-profit accounting and recommends and implements changes to current processes as required

Perform ad-hoc analyses on financial statements and other financial and accounting issues

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Experience/Training

At minimum, seven to ten years of accounting and finance experience, including prior experience managing an accounting department, is required ;

Experience in fund accounting, in a complex nonprofit with multiple service programs, is required;

Experience in a nonprofit environment, and knowledge to assist program and other leadership in interpreting financial results of the Agency is highly preferred ;

The ability to identify and implement process improvements is required ;

Knowledge of computers, with the ability to understand accounting systems, PC spreadsheets, and other financial data systems is required ;

The ability to direct the creation of clear and concise financial reports to aid in the functioning of the Agency, relying on a strong analytical background, is required ;

Excellent oral and written communication and well-developed presentation skills are required ;

Knowledge of and experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge accounting software is highly preferred .

Skills/Abilities

Proven ability to work with and maintain confidential data

The ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and management about the finances of the business and justify certain financial recommendations

Attention to detail

Excellent organization and project management

Proficient in Microsoft Office Products (Excel, Word, etc)

Core Competencies

Communication:  Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening

Client orientation:  Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact

Equity mindset:  Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace

Growth mindset:  Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn

Ownership and quality of work:  Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work

Supervisory skills:  Effectively manages and develops others

Mission drive:  Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations

The ability to occasionally move boxes weighing up to 20 pounds across the office for various needs

Must be able to remain in a stationary position seated or standing at least 50% of the time

The person in this position should be able to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.  and constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting and working with the public, COVID-19 vaccination is required

Occasional local and national travel

DEI Statement

At Youth Guidance, we understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We celebrate the diversity of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences. At the same time, we acknowledge that many systems and institutions meant to support youth are inequitable and unjust.

As such, we are committed to advancing DE&I through our words and our actions, both internally and externally, by:

Strengthening cultural competence as well as policies, practices, and organizational structures that foster belonging and leverage the unique backgrounds and talents of staff;