Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Position Overview

The Controller is a key member of the ARDC’s administrative and financial leadership team, responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial operations. This role oversees core accounting functions, manages the month-end close process, maintains compliance with GAAP, and supports organizational decision‑making through reliable financial reporting. The Controller also supervises accounting staff and serves as the primary liaison for external auditors and system implementation partners.

• Maintain all books and records on an accrual basis in full accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Manage the timely and accurate completion of the month‑end close, including journal entries, accruals, and financial statement preparation.
• Ensure complete reconciliation of all statement‑of‑financial‑position accounts, including bank accounts, investment accounts, receivables, payables, and other balance‑sheet items.
• Prepare internal financial reports and support leadership with analysis as needed.

• Supervise and mentor the Staff Accountant, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Oversee the accounts payable workflow to ensure timely and accurate vendor payments and proper internal controls.
• Prepare semi‑monthly payroll, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.
• Reconcile incoming cash receipts in coordination with the Registration Department, ensuring proper classification and deposit controls.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the annual financial audit, coordinating schedules, preparing audit documentation, and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.

• Act as a key participant in the selection and implementation of a new ERP system, contributing to requirements definition, vendor evaluation, process redesign, and system testing.
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes and enhance financial reporting capabilities.

This role helps ensure that our internal practices reflect the same level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability that define ARDC’s mission.

The ARDC is committed to a culture of inclusion. We offer a hybrid schedule, a congenial work atmosphere, and excellent benefits detailed in the following link: ARDC Benefits. Salary will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications, with a targeted salary range of $-$.

The ARDC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to employment to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60601

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Demonstrated experience in accrual‑basis accounting and GAAP compliance
• Strong understanding of month‑end close processes, reconciliations, and internal controls
• Experience supervising accounting staff or leading accounting functions
• Proficiency with accounting systems and Microsoft Office tools

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential
• Experience in nonprofit, governmental, or regulatory environments
• Prior involvement in ERP implementation or major systems upgrade