Sacred Heart Schools is Hiring a Controller Near Chicago, IL
Title: Controller Classification: Exempt Department: Finance and Operations Status: Full-Time Reports to: Chief Financial Officer Hired by: Head of Schools School Description Founded in Chicago in 1876, Sacred Heart Schools at Sheridan Road (Hardey Preparatory for Boys and Academy of the Sacred Heart for Girls are independent, Catholic, single-sex, elementary schools committed to academic excellence within the context of a Christian, faith-based community. The educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries; including 25 schools in the United States and Canada. The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. Our girls and boys are taught in single-gender classrooms but follow a similar curriculum and share in many activities. With a total enrollment of approximately 600 students, the Schools are organized into three academic divisions, each led by a division head. Position Description The Controller upholds the mission of the Network Sacred Heart Schools as expressed in the Goals and Criteria and the mission statement of Sacred Heart Schools, Chicago as approved by the Board of Trustees. The Controller is responsible to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for managing the schools' resources in a prudent and careful manner. They partner with the CFO and key management to create a premier Finance Office that upholds NAIS and ISACS Principles of Good Practice and is fully supportive of the Schools' mission, standards, and policies. Essential Job Functions General Accounting and Financial Reporting
Responsible for managing the accounting function of the Schools, ensuring accurate and timely financial information (accounts payable, receivable, fixed assets, accruals, account reconciliations, payroll, etc.)
Prepare monthly financial statements, including variance analyses
Supervise student billing and general accounting operations
Review monthly account reconciliations
Provide support in the hiring and training of accounting department staff
Assist the CFO in the preparation and monitoring of departmental budgets and forecasts working with other administrators and department heads concerning budget performance
Communicate accounting policies to affected employees and ensure compliance with such policies
Perform cash flow management activities to promote efficient use of working capital
Cash Receipts and Disbursements
Supervise all incoming cash receipts and deposits
Maintain daily cash balances and review reports from bank daily
Provide weekly cash reports to CFO.
Audit
Leads preparation of schedules and work papers for annual audit (school and 403b plan)
Leads on other State and Federal reporting
Maintains permanent office files for all audit schedules prepared by school.
Tuition Assistance and Enrollment
Support the Manager of Tuition Assistance and Enrollment Services with applications and reporting
Serve on the Tuition Assistance Committee
Support Manager of Tuition Assistance and Enrollment Services and Admissions' office in enrollment reporting and projections
Surveys and Peer Reporting
Prepare all periodic surveys and reports for the school's trade organizations (e.g., NAIS, Archdiocese, NBOA, and ISACS)
Prepare other similar data as requested
Payroll Processing
Manage payroll processing including all payroll disbursements, benefit deductions, and required withholdings
Ensure payroll disbursements are properly calculated and recorded in the G/L in the correct accounting period in the correct accounts
Other
Oversee all day-to-day operations within the Finance Office
Manage and mentor Manager of Tuition Assistance and Enrollment Services, Senior Accountant, Staff Accountant, and Finance Associate
Serve as a staff liaison to on the Finance and Audit and Risk Management Committees, and Buildings and Grounds Council of the Board of Trustees
File required corporate reports with all governmental agencies including the Internal Revenue Service Form 5578, Illinois Welfare Exemption, Cook County Property Tax Return, and other forms
Attend all-school required events and fulfill weekly school support duties, as assigned
Execute other duties as assigned by the CFO
Qualities and Requirements
Five years of experience in accounting; experience working in an educational environment preferred
Bachelor's degree required - major in accounting preferred; master's degree preferred
Ability to think strategically and execute with high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, prioritization, discretion, ethics, and confidentiality
Solid verbal and written communication skills with service orientation, including the ability to communicate intricate concepts and topics clearly, thoroughly, and succinctly
Ability to work effectively and efficiently as well as anticipate in an environment with changing priorities under tight deadlines
Enjoy working both independently and as member of a team
Continuously strive for process improvement and quality outcomes
Solid computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office - strong Excel skills preferred; experience with payroll/HRIS system(s) (ADP preferred) and comfort in learning and leveraging new software and technology
Experience with Blackbaud software (Financial Edge) preferred
Sacred Heart Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate.