Controller

Growing Home is a USDA-Certified Organic urban farm in the Englewood neighborhood of  Chicago that uses urban farming as a vehicle for paid job training for individuals with barriers  to employment. Individual barriers for program Production Assistants (“PAs”) may include  prior contact with the criminal justice system, barriers related to living near or below the  poverty line, or lack of traditional market economy work experience.  

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Controller will lead all day-to-day operations of the finance department, including budget development and analysis, accounting for investments, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, relationship management with banks and other vendors, and audit preparation. The  Controller will collaborate with department heads, board members and outside consultants as necessary. 

The  Controller will be charged with identifying new opportunities to improve efficiencies, eliminate backlogs, and respond proactively to other departments' needs. They will need to analyze the existing processes and systems and work closely with the ED  and department heads to streamline current systems, leverage new information technology, and establish standard operating procedures that provide maximum benefit to all parties involved.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proactive, hands-on finance manager who brings a successful track record of creative problem-solving and strengthening infrastructure to work in a mission-driven organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Manage all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements. Maintain internal control safeguards for the receipt of revenue, costs and both division budgets and actual expenditures.
• Oversee budgeting, and the implementation of budgets, so as to monitor progress and present financial metrics both internally and externally.
• Collaborate with members of the leadership team in drafting, reviewing, and verifying accuracy of annual budgets by department.
• Implement consistent accounting policies, practices, and procedures across all programs.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting for all of Growing Home, Inc.
• Optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Coordinate all audit activities.
• Review or prepares: financial statements and/or financial schedules & reports; journal entries (daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/annually); fixed asset schedules; payroll; and/or performs other general accounting/financial duties.
• Consults on various accounting/tax/business matters primarily related to general financial accounting activities such as accounts payable, W-9s, accounts receivable, fixed assets, payroll processing, adjusting journal entries, cash management, debt management, sales & use tax, business filings, etc.
• Researches and documents technical accounting and tax topics and issues to support accounting and tax positions as well as to provide resources to other staff.
• Prepares both complex and non-complex client income tax returns, payroll tax returns, sales & use tax returns, personal property filings and business license filings.
• Process, or supervise staff in processing, payroll, client customer invoicing, accounts payable data entry and/or bill pay and ACH transactions.
• Preparation of budgets and/or financial projections; profitability analysis; cash management models; internal control and segregation of duties analysis; tax planning strategies; etc.
• Reviewing and analyzing special reports, summarizing information and identifying trends for areas of responsibility.
• Develop internal systems, process and quality controls that ensure compliance deadlines are met, the integrity of all reporting data is verified and financial reporting is accurate
• Additional Specific Management Responsibilities w/ Accounting Emphasis:
  • Responsible for monitoring (as well as managing/developing the underlying support systems and processes) of accounting deadlines including, but not limited to: monthly, quarterly and annual financial closings; payroll cycles; payroll tax filings; W-2/W-3 filings; 1099 filings; sales & use tax filings; personal property tax filings; business license filings; personal, corporate and nonprofit tax returns; and other special project deadlines.
  • Manage and prepares all vouchers for Government contracts (Federal, State, Local).
• Oversee all financial, project/program, and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collaborate with the Development Director in all grant financial reporting
• Manage and prepares all vouchers for Government contracts (Federal, State, Local)

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS 

• Prior nonprofit finance experience with a successful track record in a senior financial management role for at least 10-plus years is essential. MBA, CMA, or CPA preferred. 
• Demonstrable experience in creating and driving the analytic framework for planning and managing organizational change; ability to anticipate the infrastructure and systems needs in a complex, national, multisite nonprofit
• Exceptional management skills
• Recognized success in developing and monitoring systems to manage both internal operations and programmatic work that involve high levels of collaboration, particularly with program directors and other senior leadership
• An accessible, visible, and flexible management style that inspires trust and confidence in staff to work hard and well together
• Keen analytic, organization, and problem solving skills that support and enable sound decision making in a complex organization; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems
• Direct and concise communication skills; an active listener; ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers
• Technology savvy with the ability to manage data for financial reporting quickly and effectively
• Personal qualities of integrity and credibility, and a commitment to the mission of Growing Home, Inc.

The Controller works Monday through Friday at the Administrative Office. Primary work hours will be between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. For special events or at  particularly busy times per year, the Controller may be required to work weekend or evening hours.  

In addition to base wage, Growing Home offers a competitive  benefits package.  

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color,  creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity,  military status, current employment status, or prior record of arrest or conviction.