Director of Finance

Family Office Exchange•Chicago, IL

41d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Finance will play a critical role in leading the finance function for a market‑leading family office membership organization by owning and elevating its core accounting and financial operations. This position involves hands‑on responsibility for the full close process and budgeting/forecasting, ensuring accuracy, discipline, and timely financial insight in a fast-evolving environment. The successful candidate will work closely with a small, capable internal team (including a strong junior accountant) and report into an experienced, financially sophisticated board. This role demands strong technical accounting knowledge and the ability to build and maintain practical FP&A tools (including budgets, forecasts, and cash models) within a lean, entrepreneurial setting. The position is based in Chicago with a significant in‑office presence and offers an opportunity to take true ownership of the finance function, gain exposure to senior investors, and help shape the next chapter of a highly respected platform.

Requirements

Deep knowledge of corporate accounting, including monthly closes, GAAP financials, and end‑to-end ownership of the general ledger for a small to mid-sized operating company
Proven experience building and managing budgets & forecasts, with the ability to translate operating drivers into clear financial projections
Strong technical accounting foundation, ideally gained in public accounting (Big 4 or large firm) and/or an assistant controller/controller role in industry; CPA highly preferred
Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with accounting/ERP systems, with the ability to design and improve reporting, models, and processes as the business evolves
Hands-on, detail-oriented mindset with a track record of owning cash management, treasury activities, and day-to-day finance operations in a lean environment
Clear and confident communicator who can partner closely with senior leadership and an engaged board, presenting financial results and insights with precision and poise
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, change-oriented setting—bringing resilience, sound judgment, and a continuous-improvement mindset to a business in transition
5 to 8 years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, ideally including time in Big Four or large public accounting and/or an assistant controller or similar corporate role
Strong proficiency in corporate accounting, including owning the monthly close, preparing financial statements; experience with budgeting and forecasting (FP&A) for an operating business is a plus
Advanced Excel skills with the ability develop annual budgets, forecast cash, and analyze revenue and expenses
Solid understanding of US GAAP and internal controls; CPA preferred and strongly valued
Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing cash, including day-to-day cash movements, bank reconciliations, and basic treasury responsibilities
Proven ability to work in a lean environment, taking ownership of both hands-on controller-level work and higher-level financial analysis for a small to midsize company
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to interact confidently with senior leadership, board-level stakeholders, and cross-functional peers
Experience supervising or mentoring junior accounting staff, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and support day-to-day accounting tasks as needed
Willingness to work onsite in Chicago during regular business hours, with flexibility aligned to the needs of the business during key cycles such as month-end close and budget season

Responsibilities

Own the day-to-day accounting function for a ~40-employee membership services business, including overseeing the monthly close, general ledger, and preparation of accurate financial statements for the corporate entity.
Lead budgeting, forecasting, and basic FP&A activities, including cash and revenue budgets, and provide clear visibility into performance and cash needs.
Manage core cash management and treasury responsibilities, serving as the primary point person for cash movements, monitoring liquidity, and ensuring the business can meet its obligations.
Partner closely with the CEO, board, and senior leadership to provide timely financial insights to support firm decision-making.
Oversee and mentor a junior accounting team member who handles more routine tasks, ensuring high-quality work, clear processes, and appropriate controls while you focus on higher-value activities.
Work hands-on in a lean, fast-paced environment—balancing controller-level responsibilities with finance and analytical work—and collaborate directly with experienced investors who set strategy and provide oversight.