Assistant Controller

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Renaissance Social Services, Inc. (Renaissance) is a leader in Chicago’s response to homelessness. Renaissance prevents and ends homelessness for vulnerable Chicagoans, providing a range of proven solutions including prevention, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management. 

JOB SUMMARY
The Assistant Controller manages the organization’s day-to-day accounting operations and ensures the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting. Reporting to the CFO, this role leads the monthly close process, maintains strong internal controls, and supports leadership with reliable financial data to inform decision-making. The Assistant Controller partners closely with the CFO to improve accounting processes, implement system enhancements and automation, and ensure compliance with nonprofit GAAP and funder requirements. This position also collaborates with Grants Compliance, Programs, and Philanthropy to ensure financial activity aligns with approved budgets, contracts, and organizational policies. This role is critical to safeguarding organizational assets, supporting audits and monitoring visits, and strengthening the overall financial infrastructure of the organization.

Responsibilities
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Accounting & Daily Financial Operations
  • Manage day-to-day accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, and revenue recognition.
  • Lead the monthly close process, ensuring timely and accurate journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements.
  • Oversee weekly accounts payable processing, vendor setup, ramp expenses, and annual 1099 reporting.
  • Monitor cash flow, deferred revenue, grant receivables, and reimbursement schedules.
  • Prepare, review, and analyze monthly financial statements and supporting schedules.
  • Provide timely and accurate financial reports to the CFO, CEO, and program leadership.

• Grants Management, Funder Compliance & Communication
  • Partner with Grants Manager and program staff to support accurate grant financial reporting.
  • Review grant-related accounting entries for alignment with approved budgets and contracts.
  • Support preparation of budget-to-actual and grant financial reports.
  • Monitor grant receivables and coordinate reimbursement tracking.
  • Serve as a primary accounting contact for funder audits, HUD monitoring visits, and financial reviews.
  • Ensure grant-related financial documentation meets audit and funder retention requirements.

• Budgeting & Program Support
  • Support the annual budgeting process, partnering with program directors to build accurate, mission-aligned budgets.
  • Deliver monthly budget-to-actual reports and provide analysis, trend insights, and recommendations to program leadership.
  • Serve as a key financial partner to CFO and program teams by translating financial data into clear operational insights.

• Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls
  • Lead support on the annual financial audit and single audit through preparation of schedules, reconciliations, and documentation.
  • Ensure all financial processes comply with GAAP, Uniform Guidance (if applicable), and Renaissance internal policies.
  • Regularly review and update financial policies and procedures to support accountability, transparency, and best practices.

• Team Leadership & Collaboration
  • Supervise and develop accounting staff, promoting growth, cross-training, and shared accountability.
  • Foster collaboration between Finance, Programs, Development, and Operations through clear communication and a service-oriented approach.
  • Promote a mission-driven culture that values accuracy, timeliness, partnership, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field required; CPA/MBA a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel.
• Strong organizational, record-keeping, and independent decision-making skills
• Minimum of 5 years of accounting experience, managerial experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, fund accounting, reimbursement-based expense.
• Demonstrated experience communicating with funders and responding to compliance inquiries.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to support non-financial staff.

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000