Finance Director

The Connect Academy•Carol Stream, IL

About The Position

Position Summary: The Finance Director serves as the senior leader of the finance function, reporting directly to the President and working closely with executive leadership to ensure the financial stability, compliance, and strategic direction of the organization. This role oversees all accounting operations, financial planning and analysis, cash flow and treasury management, regulatory compliance, internal controls, and financial systems. 1. Full-Cycle Accounting & Financial Reporting Manage the full accounting cycle: books of original entry, journal entries, general ledger, trial balance, and financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Review and approve journal entries, accruals, amortizations, and reclassifications. Perform monthly reconciliations of cash, AR, AP, payroll liabilities, fixed assets, and intercompany accounts. Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes with adjusting and closing entries. Prepare and analyze internal financial reports including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flows. Maintain and update accounting policies and procedures. Coordinate audit schedules and liaise with external auditors to ensure compliance and timely completion. Communicate effectively with external parties including CPAs, Auditors, IRS, IDES, and other regulatory or legal entities. 2. Financial Planning, Analysis & Strategic Forecasting (FP&A) Lead annual budgeting, consolidating inputs from all departments into comprehensive financial plans. Develop rolling forecasts incorporating operational and market data. Build financial models and perform scenario/sensitivity analyses to guide strategic decisions. Conduct variance analyses comparing actuals to budgets and forecasts, providing actionable insights. Monitor KPIs and financial dashboards for executive leadership. Analyze revenue streams, cost structures, and profitability by product or site. Support pricing strategy, capital expenditure decisions, and resource allocation through detailed financial evaluations. Collaborate with external consultants and advisors to enhance financial planning and analysis. 3. Treasury, Cash Flow & Liquidity Management Drive cash flow management strategy to maintain liquidity aligned with operational and strategic needs. Monitor daily cash balances and manage short-term cash flow requirements. Develop cash flow forecasts considering receivables, payables, and capital activities. Manage banking relationships, credit facilities, and optimize working capital cycles. Oversee cash account reconciliations and ensure accurate reporting in the general ledger. Ensure compliance with debt covenants and manage debt service schedules. Safeguard assets by implementing treasury policies and controls, including payment processing oversight. Maintain ongoing communication with banks, lenders, and financial institutions. 4. Internal Controls, Compliance & Finance Technology Design, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure accurate reporting. Regularly test and update controls over financial reporting, including segregation of duties. Oversee payroll tax compliance, ensuring third-party timely and accurate filing of Forms 940, 941, UI 340, etc. Ensure CFR compliance in accordance with ISBE and IPCRB standards. Lead ERP and finance systems implementation, optimization, and automation initiatives. Collaborate with IT on data security and system integrity within finance applications. Prepare for audits, promptly addressing control gaps or compliance issues; train finance staff accordingly. Coordinate with regulatory agencies, external auditors, and legal counsel to ensure compliance and timely filings. 5. Strategic Financial Leadership & Business Partnership Act as a strategic advisor, providing financial insights to executive leadership for long-term planning. Lead development of multi-year financial plans and capital allocation aligned with organizational goals. Analyze financial impacts of investments, partnerships, and operational changes with scenario planning. Collaborate cross-functionally to align finance with strategic and operational priorities. Present complex financial information clearly to the board and stakeholders. Foster a culture of financial accountability and data-driven decision-making. Support M&A activities including due diligence, valuation, and integration planning. Build and maintain strong relationships with bankers, CPA firms, consultants, and regulatory bodies to support business objectives. 6. CFR Compliance (ISBE & IPCRB) Prepare and submit the Consolidated Financial Report (CFR) in compliance with ISBE and IPCRB regulations. Ensure accurate cost allocation between program, administrative, and non-allowable expenses based on approved cost centers. Reconcile CFR data with the audited financial statements and general ledger to ensure consistency and accuracy. Maintain detailed documentation to support all reported expenditures, including payroll allocations. Collaborate with program and administrative staff to collect, review, and validate required financial and operational data. Monitor updates to CFR guidance and ISBE/IPCRB rules to ensure ongoing compliance and timely implementation. Serve as liaison with external auditors and state agencies during reviews or inquiries related to CFR submissions. Other duties as assigned by the President or executive leadership to support the financial and operational needs of the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's in Accounting, Finance or Business required
Experience in finance/accounting required
Experience in a leadership/management role preferred

Nice To Haves

MBA or CPA/CFA highly desirable

Responsibilities

Manage the full accounting cycle: books of original entry, journal entries, general ledger, trial balance, and financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
Review and approve journal entries, accruals, amortizations, and reclassifications.
Perform monthly reconciliations of cash, AR, AP, payroll liabilities, fixed assets, and intercompany accounts.
Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes with adjusting and closing entries.
Prepare and analyze internal financial reports including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flows.
Maintain and update accounting policies and procedures.
Coordinate audit schedules and liaise with external auditors to ensure compliance and timely completion.
Communicate effectively with external parties including CPAs, Auditors, IRS, IDES, and other regulatory or legal entities.
Lead annual budgeting, consolidating inputs from all departments into comprehensive financial plans.
Develop rolling forecasts incorporating operational and market data.
Build financial models and perform scenario/sensitivity analyses to guide strategic decisions.
Conduct variance analyses comparing actuals to budgets and forecasts, providing actionable insights.
Monitor KPIs and financial dashboards for executive leadership.
Analyze revenue streams, cost structures, and profitability by product or site.
Support pricing strategy, capital expenditure decisions, and resource allocation through detailed financial evaluations.
Collaborate with external consultants and advisors to enhance financial planning and analysis.
Drive cash flow management strategy to maintain liquidity aligned with operational and strategic needs.
Monitor daily cash balances and manage short-term cash flow requirements.
Develop cash flow forecasts considering receivables, payables, and capital activities.
Manage banking relationships, credit facilities, and optimize working capital cycles.
Oversee cash account reconciliations and ensure accurate reporting in the general ledger.
Ensure compliance with debt covenants and manage debt service schedules.
Safeguard assets by implementing treasury policies and controls, including payment processing oversight.
Maintain ongoing communication with banks, lenders, and financial institutions.
Design, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure accurate reporting.
Regularly test and update controls over financial reporting, including segregation of duties.
Oversee payroll tax compliance, ensuring third-party timely and accurate filing of Forms 940, 941, UI 340, etc.
Ensure CFR compliance in accordance with ISBE and IPCRB standards.
Lead ERP and finance systems implementation, optimization, and automation initiatives.
Collaborate with IT on data security and system integrity within finance applications.
Prepare for audits, promptly addressing control gaps or compliance issues; train finance staff accordingly.
Coordinate with regulatory agencies, external auditors, and legal counsel to ensure compliance and timely filings.
Act as a strategic advisor, providing financial insights to executive leadership for long-term planning.
Lead development of multi-year financial plans and capital allocation aligned with organizational goals.
Analyze financial impacts of investments, partnerships, and operational changes with scenario planning.
Collaborate cross-functionally to align finance with strategic and operational priorities.
Present complex financial information clearly to the board and stakeholders.
Foster a culture of financial accountability and data-driven decision-making.
Support M&A activities including due diligence, valuation, and integration planning.
Build and maintain strong relationships with bankers, CPA firms, consultants, and regulatory bodies to support business objectives.
Prepare and submit the Consolidated Financial Report (CFR) in compliance with ISBE and IPCRB regulations.
Ensure accurate cost allocation between program, administrative, and non-allowable expenses based on approved cost centers.
Reconcile CFR data with the audited financial statements and general ledger to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Maintain detailed documentation to support all reported expenditures, including payroll allocations.
Collaborate with program and administrative staff to collect, review, and validate required financial and operational data.
Monitor updates to CFR guidance and ISBE/IPCRB rules to ensure ongoing compliance and timely implementation.
Serve as liaison with external auditors and state agencies during reviews or inquiries related to CFR submissions.
Other duties as assigned by the President or executive leadership to support the financial and operational needs of the organization.