Assistant Controller for Special Education Agency

Elim Christian Services•Crestwood, IL

1d•$95,000 - $105,000•Onsite

About The Position

Elim Christian Services is a leader in offering education and skills training for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The Assistant Controller plays a critical role in ensuring the financial health, integrity, and sustainability of Elim Christian Services. At Elim, we are committed to supporting both our employees and the individuals we serve. We prioritize employee well-being by offering unique benefits, including complimentary unlimited virtual counseling services for all staff members. In addition to a welcoming workplace, we offer work hours that promote a healthy work-life balance, competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
6-10 years of progressive accounting experience, with strong expertise in accounts payable
Demonstrated success in leading or implementing AP process improvements
Experience supervising or mentoring accounting staff
Working knowledge of payroll operations, internal controls, and compliance requirements or willingness to learn
Proficiency with accounting software and payroll platforms
Experience in nonprofit accounting, including fund accounting
Experience with AR functions or willingness to cross-train
Experience with AP automation or ERP implementation projects
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Responsibilities

Directly supervise and develop the AP Manager, providing coaching, performance feedback, and day-to-day direction.
Develop policies and procedures to ensure appropriate internal controls are in place.
Oversee the full-cycle AP function, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with organizational policies and internal controls.
Conduct a thorough assessment of current AP workflows and identify opportunities to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce manual processes, and improve efficiency.
Lead the design and implementation of improved AP processes, including automation opportunities, electronic invoice management, and approval workflow enhancements.
Develop, document, and maintain AP standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and scalability.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for the AP function.
Ensure proper coding, approval, and documentation of all vendor invoices and payments.
Manage vendor relationships and resolve disputes in a timely and professional manner.
Oversee 1099 preparation and annual filing requirements.
Perform and review monthly AP reconciliations and support month-end close activities.
Continuously evaluate and recommend technology solutions to modernize and strengthen the AP function.
Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of a new organizational credit card program, including researching and vetting vendors, establishing card policies and controls, and overseeing rollout and staff training to ensure responsible and efficient use of credit cards across the organization.
Directly supervise the Payroll Manager, providing leadership support and serving as an escalation point for complex payroll issues.
Partner with Human Resources to develop processes to ensure payroll and benefits are appropriately entered into the payroll system.
Provide checks and balances over payroll operations, including periodic review of payroll registers, tax filings, and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Review and approve payroll runs, ensuring proper authorization and documentation are in place.
Monitor payroll internal controls and flag discrepancies or risks for Director of Finance review.
Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll regulations to ensure organizational compliance.
Support payroll-related audit requests and year-end processes (e.g., W-2 review).
Partner with the AR Manager to develop a working knowledge of the accounts receivable function, including billing processes, collections, and revenue reconciliation.
Serve as a backup resource for AR operations during periods of absence or high volume.
Identify opportunities for process alignment and collaboration between AP and AR functions.
Contribute to a culture of cross-functional knowledge sharing within the Finance team.
Assist with month-end and year-end close processes.
Support preparation of financial reports and analysis for leadership and the Board.
Contribute to annual audit preparation and respond to auditor inquiries related to AP and payroll and other areas as needed.
Assist with budget development and variance analysis as needed.
Collaborate with the Director of Finance on special projects and finance department initiatives.
Performs other duties as assigned.