Controller

About Enlace Chicago:

Enlace Chicago convenes, organizes, and builds the capacity of stakeholders of Little Village to confront systemic inequities and barriers to economic and social access. The organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of Little Village residents by fostering a safe and healthy environment and by championing opportunities for educational advancement and economic development. It is committed to accountability and transparency to ensure integrity, believes in building community power through collaboration and grassroots leadership, promotes livable communities with access and opportunity for all, and values social justice and systems change. Currently, our Education, Community Safety, Clinical Services, Community Health, and Immigration and Advocacy Departments work to provide vital services and support to the very valuable residents of the Little Village community.

Position Overview:

The Controller will serve as Enlace Chicago's highest-level financial management professional, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and stability of the organization's fiscal operations. This position oversees budgeting, monthly close, audit preparation, financial statement production, internal controls, cash flow forecasting, grant compliance, and financial analysis to support organizational decision-making. The Controller supervises a finance team of three staff and ensures compliance with GAAP standards, federal and local grant requirements, and nonprofit financial best practices. This role is pivotal in maintaining fiscal sustainability and transparency across the organization's $10M+ budget.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Financial Oversight

• Lead all accounting and finance operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, reporting, and grant reimbursement processes.
• Supervise, train, and support a team of three finance staff to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and professional growth.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board Finance Committee to provide strategic financial guidance and risk mitigation analysis.

Financial Reporting & Internal Controls

• Produce accurate monthly financial statements, budget vs. actual reports, cash flow projections, and audit-ready schedules.
• Maintain strong GAAP-compliant internal controls, ensuring proper segregation of duties and adherence to federal, state, and city grant requirements.
• Refine and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal systems that safeguard organizational assets.

Budgeting & Cash Flow Management

• Lead the development of the annual organizational budget in collaboration with program and executive leadership.
• Monitor cash flow, revenue cycles, and spending trends, ensuring that sufficient liquidity and reserves are maintained.
• Provide forecasting, multi-year budget planning, and scenario modeling that support organizational sustainability.

Audit, Compliance & Grant Support

• Manage annual external financial audits and any Single Audits, ensuring timely preparation of schedules, documentation, and responses.
• Oversee financial components of public and private grant management, including vouchers, reimbursement processing, documentation, and expenditure tracking.
• Ensure compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance, procurement standards, government contracts, insurance requirements, and reporting expectations.

Core Competencies:

Financial Expertise

• Deep knowledge of nonprofit GAAP, fund accounting, audit preparation, and grant compliance.

Leadership & Supervision: 

• Ability to coach and develop staff with a collaborative, strengths-based approach.

Strategic Analysis

• Uses data and forecasting to inform planning, sustainability, and decision-making.

Detail Orientation & Accuracy

• Demonstrates precision in financial management and documentation.

Ethics & Integrity

• Maintains confidentiality, transparency, and high standards of accountability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA, MBA, or Master's in Accounting/Finance strongly preferred.
  
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive nonprofit accounting experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of audits, GAAP, public grant compliance, and fund accounting.
  
• Strong proficiency with accounting software (e.g., Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, or similar), spreadsheets, and financial modeling tools.
  
• Experience working with reimbursement-based funding and multiple restricted grants preferred.
  
• Excellent communication skills and ability to clearly present financial data to non-finance audiences.
  
• Commitment to social justice, equity, and Enlace Chicago's mission.
  
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus, but not required.

Compensation:
The salary range for this position annually is between $95,000 and $105,000. Salary is commensurate with experience in addition to the generous benefits package listed below.

Benefits:

• Health benefits. Enlace Chicago offers you and your family access to a low-cost comprehensive health care plan, which includes medical (Bluecross Blue Shield), dental (Guardian), and vision (VSP) coverage.
• Enlace Chicago also provides life insurance coverage and short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost to you with options of additional coverage.Retirement program. Enlace Chicago offers a voluntary 403(B) plan which begins at a 1% contribution. Enrollment is available after a 90-day grace period beginning on the first day of employment. An enrollment packet will be mailed to you.
• Paid time off. You will receive 96 hours of Upon Hire hours, which will be prorated depending on your start date. After your 3rd month, you will accrue 3.33 hours per pay period or a total of 6.66 per month. All vacation days are considered above and beyond the approved holiday schedule. Enlace has 12 paid holidays with a Holiday week between Christmas and New Year's Day that will not be deducted from your PTO.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:
At Enlace Chicago, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued. We believe that diverse perspectives are essential to addressing the complex social challenges we seek to solve, and we strive to create a culture that promotes belonging, respect, and opportunity for all. Our mission is rooted in uplifting the stories of those who have been historically marginalized, and we actively work to ensure that our programs, partnerships, and workplace reflect these values. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and encourage candidates who share our passion for social justice, equity, and inclusion to apply.

Enlace Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Deadline for submission: Open until filled.