Controller, Finance & Banking, Financial Manager

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$/yr - $/yr

Searching for a results-oriented and experienced nonprofit accounting leader and CPA with a passion for animals who can both see the big picture and bring expertise and focus to the all-important details of running a finance department. The right candidate will be strategic, focused, and high-energy; enjoy managing teams and working with internal and external colleagues; have a knack for systems, process and continuous improvement;

and be eager to help support PAWS Chicago’s growth and mission to build a No Kill Chicago and beyond.

The Controller serves as the finance department leader, ensuring the operational excellence, integrity, transparency, and sustainability of PAWS Chicago’s financial operations. This role is essential to building and maintaining a strong financial foundation that empowers the organization to fulfill its mission.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Controller will oversee financial reporting, accounting functions, budget development, department SOP’s and financial modeling. They will work collaboratively across departments and with external partners to ensure that every financial decision supports the long-term impact and growth of PAWS Chicago’s life‑saving programs. They will identify opportunities for efficiency and funding; build robust reporting;

and utilize information to analyze performance and make recommendations for improvement.

• 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.

• 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, and is 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.
• Provides other project support to the CFO and other senior leaders as needed.

• Issues timely and complete financial statements, including monthly and year‑end statements, and ensures that Board of Directors financial reports are prepared in a timely, well‑organized, and accurate manner on a quarterly basis.
• Calculates and issues monthly financial and operating metrics, including monthly variance reporting.
• Calculates variances from the budget and reports to management.
• Conducts data analysis to review 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 a system of management cost reports.
• Provides financial modeling to support strategic plan initiatives and business planning efforts.
• Provides financial analyses as needed, particularly 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 to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction for internal and external stakeholders.
• 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 the requirements of donor agreements and revenue recognition requirements.
• Provides ad hoc reporting and analysis as needed and requested by key work partners.

• 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.

Not Applicable

Full‑time

Accounting/Auditing and Finance

Non‑profit Organizations

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