Controller

Controller

Controller position available with Ada S. McKinley Community Services, a prominent human services organization in Chicago. The role involves leading core accounting functions, managing a team, and ensuring strong financial operations while supporting the organization's mission and growth.

Organization Overview: Ada S. McKinley Community Services

Founded in 1919, Ada S. McKinley Community Services is one of Chicago's most established and comprehensive human services organizations, dedicated to empowering, educating, and employing individuals to strengthen communities. For more than a century, the organization has expanded its reach and impact, now serving over 10,000 individuals annually across more than 70 locations in Illinois, with additional sites in Indiana and Wisconsin.

Ada S. McKinley delivers an integrated portfolio of services across three core areas: Behavioral Health and Clinical Services, Child Development and Youth Services, and Employment and Community Support Services. Its programs span early childhood education, foster care, college and career readiness, workforce development, housing and community living for individuals with disabilities, and comprehensive mental health services. Each year, the organization provides behavioral health services to more than 3,000 children and families, supports 2,500+ youth through education and development programs, and serves over 1,600 individuals through employment and community support initiatives.

At its core, Ada S. McKinley is committed to delivering holistic, community-based services that address the full spectrum of individual and family needsfrom early childhood through adulthood. Under the leadership of CEO Jamal Malone, Ada continues to focus its resources and activities on improving and expanding opportunities for Chicago's most vulnerable communities. With a strong reputation, deep community roots, and a broad service footprint, the organization continues to evolve its model to meet growing demand and expand access to high-quality, integrated care.

Role Summary: Controller

Ada S. McKinley Community Services is seeking a Controller to join its finance leadership team at a pivotal moment for the organization. As a $65M, multi-program human services organization, Ada S. McKinley operates in a complex environment shaped by government funding, regulatory oversight, and diverse service lines. Reporting to the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CF&AO), the Controller will lead core accounting functions, including month-end close and accounts payable, while managing a team of three. This role is central to ensuring strong financial operations while supporting the organization's broader mission and growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive the monthly close process, ensuring timely and accurate reporting aligned with established deadlines.
• Oversee all core accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the expenditure cycle, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and a timely monthly close.
• Prepare and present financial information in monthly finance reviews and executive discussions, demonstrating strong command of data and insights.
• Oversee the organization's billing and revenue cycle, including behavioral health billing systems, receivables, and revenue recognition across multiple funding streams, ensuring alignment with program operations.
• Ensure effective management of accounts receivable, including aging, reconciliation, and integration with billing systems and program reporting.

• Lead and support the organization's audit processes, with direct responsibility for 6 of 8 annual audits, ensuring readiness and accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and grant funding requirements within a highly regulated environment.
• Oversee the tracking and reporting of restricted funds, aligning financial practices with program and regulatory expectations.
• Oversee financial and compliance monitoring of contracts, grants, and sub-recipients, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and performance expectations.

• Lead, develop, and strengthen the accounting team, including oversight of key roles such as the Accounts Payable Manager, Senior Financial Analyst and Financial Analyst
• Establish clear expectations, strengthen accountability, and drive consistency in team performance.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture aligned with the organization's broader leadership approach.

• Assess current systems, including legacy and program-specific platforms, and lead efforts to streamline, integrate, and modernize financial and billing operations.
• Strengthen internal controls and reduce reliance on manual processes, particularly within accounts payable.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of a new ERP system, ensuring strong project management and cross-functional coordination.

• Serve as a visible and trusted partner across departments, providing clear, actionable financial insights.
• Present financial information to executive leadership, including the CEO and CF&AO, and translate complex financial data for non-financial audiences.
• Support the growth and financial management of key program areas, including behavioral health, while anticipating risks and opportunities.

Leadership & Competency Expectations

The Controller will be a mission-aligned leader who takes personal ownership of financial stewardship, operating with a clear sense of accountability to both the organization and the communities it serves.

While no single candidate is expected to possess every competency, the strongest candidates will demonstrate the following skills, qualities, and experiences:

• Solutions-Oriented and Forward-Looking
• Service-Minded and Cross-Functional Partner
• Clear Communicator and Trusted Advisor
• Behavioral Health and Funding Acumen
• Mission-Driven and Community-Aligned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA and/or MBA a plus
• 6-8 years of progressive accounting experience, including demonstrated leadership and team management responsibility
• Experience within a nonprofit organization required; experience in behavioral health, healthcare, or similarly regulated environments strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, fund accounting, and financial management within government-funded environments
• Demonstrated experience managing audits in complex, multi-entity or multi-program organizations
• Experience with ERP systems required; experience leading or supporting system implementations strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop staff, including leading teams through transition or change
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders and executive leadership

Location, Compensation and Benefits

This position is based in Chicago, Illinois, with a hybrid schedule that reflects the collaborative and cross-functional nature of the role. The Controller is expected to maintain a consistent on-site presence, typically three days per week, in alignment with leadership team expectations and to support engagement across departments.

The salary range for this position is $135,000 $150,000, commensurate with experience. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement options, and paid time off.