CONTROLLER

Title: Controller

Who we are:

C4 was founded in 1972 to help people released from psychiatric hospitals into the Uptown and Edgewater communities stabilize in the community. Since that time, C4’s service area has expanded to rekindle hope for individuals and families on Chicago’s north and west sides, remaining committed to community-level, system-focused interventions; C4 always seeks to avoid restrictive levels of care and maximize families’ agency to lead their recovery, allowing them to heal in their homes and community. C4 is the leader in building hope and breaking down barriers – from the personal to the systemic - for Chicago’s systematically disadvantaged communities through the delivery of effective, empirically supported, and trauma-informed mental health services. C4 seeks to equip 7,000 individuals annually to help them move from trauma to living, to working and thriving within their community.

Our Mission - Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4), a behavioral health advocate and social service provider, offers quality, comprehensive customer-oriented services tailored to the diversity of its consumers.

Our Vision - Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) will be, and will be recognized as, essential to the wellbeing of the communities we serve.

Philosophy - C4 believes that people recovering from mental illness and emotional trauma are able to live, work and thrive in the community.

Purpose:

The Controller will oversee financial operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency in financial reporting, budgeting, and accounting. This role will plan and organize the accounting-related functions for Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, including general accounting, policy development, cash management, budget, audit preparation, forecasting revenues and expenditures, purchasing and accounting-related contract compliance.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting required, Master preferred

3-5 years of relevant work experience

Thorough knowledge of accounting practices in the not-for-profit sector, including grant and fund accounting.

Budget analysis experience; internal auditing of transactions; accounting software.

Competencies (Minimum Skills, Knowledge and Experience):

1. Ability to be respectful of the diverse cultures of the people served and to provide culturally appropriate, competent and individualized treatment according to each client's age, gender, race, ethnicity, and culture.
2. Works effectively with colleagues and internal/external customers by practicing punctuality, respect for deadlines, collaborative problem solving, and honest communication
3. Builds trusting relationships by acting with integrity, courtesy, and responsibility, even in the face of stress or demanding workplace conditions
4. Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
5. Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures.
6. Coordinate all audit activity.
7. Ability to consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership abreast of C4’s Nonprofit’s financial status.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Other duties as assigned by supervisor
2. Research, evaluate, develop and recommend general financial policies/procedures/manuals and modifications to existing methods to improve effectiveness and efficiency
3. Prepare or oversee the preparation and review of financial statements, reconciliations, and reports related to Community Counseling Centers of Chicago affairs
4. provide information, specific analysis, and appropriate training to others on financial and budgeting issues, etc.
5. Respond to concerns and inquiries from employees, vendor, state and federal agencies, etc. related to accounting matters
6. Oversee the resolution of C4’s financial obligation problems within policy guidelines of the organization
7. Review account activities on funds to ensure accuracy and conformity with applicable controls and guidelines
8. Notify appropriate persons and/or take corrective actions as necessary
9. Review and strengthen financial and accounting internal controls to ensure protection of the organization’s financial resources
10. Formulate and enforce policies and procedures regarding agencies cash disbursements
11. Prepare/review adjusting entries and schedules for annual audit
12. Schedule audit and work with auditors in answering questions, providing necessary information and explaining accounting/financial system
13. Review audit results and implement necessary/recommended internal controls and/or other revisions

1. Audit & Compliance: Serve as the main point of contact for the annual external audit and ensure regulatory compliance, internal controls, and proper documentation
2. Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with department heads; perform ongoing forecasting, variance analysis, and financial planning
3. Team Leadership: Manage a team of 4–5 accounting staff, with potential to grow; support training, development, and cross-functional collaboration
4. Process & Systems Improvement: Drive process enhancements across finance operations; help implement standardized procedures
5. Strategic Support: Develop and monitor financial KPIs; provide insights to leadership on cost savings, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability
6. Coordinate preparation of agency budget and other related documents
7. Analyze budge revenues/expenditures as needed
8. Prepare department budget requests and monitor expenditures for compliance with approved budget
9. Supervise the compilation and preparation of all budget programs in all funds, record, review, and report
10. Ensure proper maintenance of accurate equipment inventory records
11. Other duties as assigned by Supervisor