Controller

Success in this role requires a deep commitment to animal welfare, a passion for transformative change, and the ability to partner closely with the CFO, Executive Team and Finance Department to grow and develop organizational expertise over time. The Controller will be a steward of PAWS Chicago’s resources, helping to advance its mission to: 

• Build No Kill communities that respect and value the life of every cat and dog. 

• End the overpopulation of homeless animals through innovative solutions, best practices, and education. 

• Transform animal welfare by setting higher standards for care and developing a sustainable, solutions-based model. 

Job Responsibilities  

Management and Operations 

• Builds, maintains, enforces and improves a documented system of accounting policies and procedures 

• Manages outsourced functions and relationships 

• Manages the routine daily operations of the Finance Department. Serves as coach and mentor to all department members. Responsible for hiring, performance reviews, performance management, and the development and results of department members 

• Oversees the accounting operations, control systems, transaction-processing operations, and policies and procedures 

• Provide other project support to the CFO and other Senior leaders as needed 

Reporting & Analysis 

• Issues timely and complete financial statements, including monthly and year-end, and that Board of Directors financial reports are prepared in a timely, well-organized, and accurate manner on a quarterly basis.  

• Monthly: 

• Calculates and issues monthly financial and operating metrics, including monthly variance reporting  

• Calculates variances from the budget and report to management 

• Data analysis to include review of historical trends and make recommendations for future state based on conclusions. 

• Coordinates and leads monthly Finance Committee meetings 

• Recommends benchmarks against which to measure the performance of company operations 

• Manages the production of the annual budget and forecasts 

• Meets regularly with department managers to ensure ongoing budget support 

• Provides for a system of management cost reports 

• Provides financial modeling to support strategic plan initiatives and business planning efforts 

• Provides financial analyses as needed, in particular for capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations 

• Oversees the timely response to all financially-related inquiries from across the organization as well as external parties, providing exceptional, responsive service, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction for both internal and external colleagues 

• Ensures timely and accurate reporting to support adherence to grant financial reporting requirements. Oversees reporting of financial data required for donor impact reports, and ensures overall financial adherence to requirements of donor agreements and revenue recognition requirements 

• Ad hoc reporting and analysis as needed and requested by key work partners 

Internal Controls 

• Collaborates with the Chief Information Officer to ensure robust cybersecurity measures and alignment of financial systems with organizational cyber risk management protocols.  

• Establishes and monitors internal controls related to financial accounts, cash, and payment processing to safeguard assets and ensure compliance 

Accounts Payable and Vendor Management 

• Leads the organization’s purchasing function in collaboration with department managers, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and budgetary goals.  

• Leverages PAWS Chicago’s purchasing power and volume to negotiate favorable pricing and terms with vendors.  

• Identifies, develops, and manages vendor relationships, including implementation and oversight of a vendor management and purchasing module within financial systems.  

• Designs and drives a continuous improvement program focused on cost optimization, expense reduction, and procurement efficiency 

Transaction Oversight and Processing 

• Ensures that accounts payable are paid in a timely manner 

• Ensures that all reasonable discounts are taken on accounts payable 

• Ensures that accounts receivable are collected promptly 

• Processes payroll in a timely manner 

• Ensures that periodic bank reconciliations are completed 

• Maintains the chart of accounts 

• Maintains an orderly accounting filing system 

• Maintains a system of controls over accounting transactions 

• Maintains a system of controls over cash transactions and oversee cash receipts 

Compliance 

• Coordinates the provision of information to external auditors for the annual audit, 990 and 1099 preparation and support 

• Ensures materials required for Workers’ Compensation Audit are gathered as requested. 

• Complies with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings