Finance Manager

Job Category: Full-time (20-30 hours per week), non-supervisory, temporary

Duration: 18-24 months

Experience: Bachelor’s degree in public/not-for-profit accounting, administration, finance, or related discipline; 3-5 years of experience working with and/or as an auditor, especially in the public/not-for-profit sector

Compensation: $45.00 to $50.00 per hour

Date Created: January 22, 2026

BHRC is Northwest Illinois’ regional planning organization and EDA-designated Economic Development District. We provide community, economic, and natural resources planning and implementation support in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, and Whiteside counties.

The Blackhawk Hills region features small cities, rural vistas, and interesting terrain, including the iconic Mississippi River, rugged Driftless Area, and gently rolling Rock River Hills. We are within a two-hour drive of major metropolitan areas like Chicago, IL, Madison, WI, and the Quad Cities (IL/IA).

In close coordination with BHRC’s executive director, office manager, and secretary/treasurer, the Finance Manager will first and primarily be responsible for reviewing records pertaining to past/current BHRC fiscal years, ensuring that documentation is available in a format that is accessible and accurate, allowing our third-party auditor to efficiently audit multiple years. BHRC’s fiscal year begins in April. BHRC annual state and federal expenditures are well below $1 million annually, and its typical operations and maintenance budget ranges roughly from $250,000 to $750,000.

• Working with BHRC staff (in particular, the executive director and office manager) and its third-party auditor to supply timely information and analysis as required for GAAS and GAGAS-level audits
• Reviewing BHRC’s accounting systems with respect to GAAP and transitioning them to be fully compliant with GAAP
• Preparing all financial documentation for BHRC required annually by state/federal/private agencies
• Updating organizational policies and procedures in support of the above functions

• Supporting BHRC’s state/federal/private award administration, especially financial reporting
• Supporting various BHRC planning/technical assistance initiatives for local governments and not-for-profits, such as: good financial governance advising and training; capital improvement plan development; program/project financing, especially housing
• Other functions as assigned

• Capable of working amiably, communicating clearly, following up reliably with BHRC staff and various stakeholders and agencies, including BHRC’s third-party auditor
• Interested in people; personable and empathetic; capable of building long-term relationships
• Proficient/fluent in: GAAP; GAAS and GAGAS, with working knowledge of undergoing such levels of auditing from start to finish; accounting/auditing software (Aplos a plus);
  Google apps, especially Sheets;
  Microsoft Office apps, especially Excel
• Familiar with: statistical analysis; public/not-for-profit budgeting and finance; grant administration; federal/Illinois state grant rules (CFR, GATA, etc.);
  Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Northwest Illinois
• Interest in: regional planning and community/economic development; single and multi-family housing finance and capital stack assembly
• Capable of analyzing complex information, producing accurate analyses, and drawing data-based conclusions
• Conscious of deadlines; able to submit project deliverables in a prompt and organized manner
• Creative but takes direction; confident but possesses sound judgement
• Comfortable working alone, in groups, at home, and with others

• Paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; paid holidays
• Health insurance
• Discretionary pay/annual bonus
• Annual cost of living adjustment
• Cell phone stipend
• Flextime
• Paid professional development, conference attendance, and educational materials
• Remote work available (some travel to BHRC’s office may be required initially)

• By March 2, 2026
• Please email cover letter, résumé, references, and any relevant supporting documentation to