Director of Finance and Accounting
About The Position
LEARN is seeking a hands-on Director of Finance and Accounting to manage and execute the organization’s finance and accounting functions. Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Director of Finance & Accounting, this individual contributor provides technical accounting expertise, financial analysis, and operational oversight to support accurate, timely, and compliant financial information across the organization. The role owns key processes, including payroll accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, reconciliations, audits, internal controls, cash flow analysis, and financial analysis. The Director coordinates monthly, quarterly, and annual closes; prepares and reviews financial statements and reports; analyzes results and variances; supports budgeting and forecasting; and partners with leaders to inform resource allocation and operational decisions. The role oversees payroll accounting accuracy in partnership with the Payroll Supervisor and supports accounting and reporting for grants, programs, and schools, including restricted and unrestricted funds. The position also supports audits, compliance, tax filings, and regulatory reporting; monitors and improves internal controls; provides functional leadership and technical guidance to accounting team members without initially having direct reports; and improves accounting processes and systems. The role is based at LEARN’s Herro Family Campus in Chicago, Illinois, in a hybrid work environment and is not a remote opportunity.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
- Demonstrated experience with month-end and year-end close processes.
- Strong general ledger and account reconciliation experience.
- Experience supporting external financial statement audits.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial or accounting systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict reporting deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Nice To Haves
- CPA, MBA, or other relevant professional certification.
- Experience in education, nonprofit, charter school, or other mission-driven organizations.
- Experience with fund accounting, grant accounting, or restricted funding.
- Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge or similar nonprofit or education financial systems.
- Experience developing and strengthening internal controls.
- Experience working with multi-entity or multi-location organizations.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closes; prepare and review financial statements, supporting schedules, and reports.
- Analyze financial results, trends, and variances; escalate issues and provide insights to the Senior Director of Finance & Accounting, CFO, Board, and other stakeholders.
- Standardize financial reporting processes across the organization.
- Support annual budgeting and forecasting using accounting data, historical trends, and financial analysis.
- Conduct monthly budget-to-actual analysis, investigate variances, and help department leaders understand financial results.
- Identify opportunities to optimize resource allocation, control costs, strengthen financial sustainability, and provide forecasts and recommendations for strategic and operational decisions.
- Oversee the accounting accuracy of payroll transactions, reconciliations, accruals, benefits expenses, tax liabilities, and related accounts in partnership with the Payroll Supervisor.
- Resolve payroll accounting discrepancies and ensure timely month-end and year-end entries and reconciliations.
- Support accounting and reporting for grants, programs, schools, and educational initiatives, ensuring proper treatment of restricted and unrestricted funds.
- Assist with grant reporting and compliance, and partner with program and operational leaders to ensure expenditures are accurately recorded, documented, and aligned with funding requirements.
- Prepare and review audit workpapers and support compliance with GAAP, governmental and grant requirements, and organizational policies.
- Monitor internal controls, recommend improvements, implement corrective actions, and support tax filings and regulatory reporting.
- Provide functional leadership and technical guidance to the Finance & Accounting team; serve as a subject-matter expert to Senior Accountants and the Junior Accountant, review work, provide feedback, and identify training needs.
- Partner with the Payroll Supervisor on payroll accounting and promote accountability, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
- Evaluate and improve accounting processes, efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
- Support financial system implementation and optimization, automate manual processes, and enhance reporting capabilities.
- Develop and maintain accounting procedures and documentation, and participate in cross-functional projects involving finance, payroll, operations, and technology.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays.
- Short- and long-term disability.
- Paid life insurance.
- Pet insurance.
- 403B contribution with 4.5% matching, as eligible.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
