Vice President of Accounting - Hybrid Chicago Loop office

Vice President of Accounting - Hybrid Chicago Loop office

Join NORC at the University of Chicago as our new Vice President of Accounting. This role leads NORC’s Accounting Department, ensuring internal controls, financial reporting, compliance, and strategic accounting improvements.

Lead and manage the day‑to‑day operations of the Accounting Department, oversee financial record preparation, external audits, and support executives with accounting strategy.

Accounting – the backbone of NORC’s financial health, providing insights and opportunities through process improvement and strong internal controls.

• Lead and manage day‑to‑day operations with a continuous improvement approach.
• Prepare, analyze, and coordinate financial records for each period.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and efficient task delegation.
• Oversee preparation of billings for all NORC contracts and grants.
• Prepare and review financial reports to ensure accuracy and transparency.
• Serve as key contact for external auditors, maintaining robust audit trails.
• Manage accounting period and fiscal year‑end closes.
• Ensure integrity of the general ledger.
• Perform analysis of accounting information and supporting processes.
• Manage bank transactions and reconciliations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing accounting team of 20 professionals.
• Lead the department’s strategic planning and budgeting processes.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required;
Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration preferred.

Certification: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.

• At least 15 years of directly related general accounting work experience.
• At least 10 years in supervisory and accounting management roles.
• Public accounting foundation (Big Four preferred) with in‑house corporate reporting leadership.
• Experience working directly with auditors.
• Experience in a government contracting environment preferred.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills to interface with senior management.
• Financial leadership and collaborative teamwork across diverse groups.
• Judgment, negotiation, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking.
• Attention to detail, risk management, quality control, deadlines, reconciliation, and compliance.
• Commitment to developing, managing, and mentoring a team of accounting professionals.
• Curiosity, analytical capability, pragmatic business approach.
• Discretion with sensitive, confidential information.
• Proficiency with automated accounting systems and MS Office Suite.
• Expectation of hybrid work schedule of at least two days a week in Chicago Loop office.

Pay range: $195,000 - $240,000. Hybrid work model in the heart of Chicago.

This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program, including

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Defined contribution retirement program and voluntary 403(b) retirement program.
• Group life insurance, long‑term and short‑term disability insurance.
• Benefits promoting work/life balance: paid time off, holidays, paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Pay and benefits transparency helps reduce wage gaps. NORC includes a salary range for each opening and details of eligible benefit offerings. Salary ranges are reviewed by a formal Salary Review Committee.

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non‑partisan research institution delivering reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, advanced methods, and applied innovative tools.

NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.