Head of Accounting

Head of Accounting

Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Coverage : Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.

Financial Security : Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.

Work-Life Balance : Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.

Exclusive Perks : Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

Role Overview

The Head of Accounting will serve as a senior financial leader responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, including systems and software, and compliance activities. This role requires deep expertise in non-profit accounting standards, regulatory compliance, and financial management, with the ability to lead a team while supporting the organization’s mission-driven and financial objectives. The role also requires significant experience in project management for software implementations as it relates to the evaluation and modernization of accounting systems.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Compliance

Oversee preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and non-profit accounting standards

Ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements including Form 990 preparation and filing, unrelated business income, and single audit requirements

Manage relationships with external auditors and coordinate annual independent audits

Maintain compliance with grant reporting requirements and donor restrictions

Oversee endowment and investment accounting, including fair value measurements and realized / unrealized gains / losses

Manage restricted fund accounting and ensure proper classification and reporting of temporarily and permanently restricted net assets

Accounting Operations Management

Lead and manage the accounting team, including hiring, training, and performance management

Oversee the overall accounting operations of the team

Implement and maintain internal controls and accounting policies and procedures

Manage month-end and year-end closing processes to ensure accuracy and timeliness

Debt Oversight, Treasury, and Cash Management

Oversee debt compliance monitoring and reporting to ensure adherence to all applicable debt covenants and regulatory requirements

Manage relationships with credit reporting agencies

Collaborate with legal counsel and external advisors on debt matters as needed

Oversee daily cash management operations including cash flow forecasting and liquidity management

Manage banking relationships and optimize cash positioning across multiple accounts and investment vehicles

Coordinate with the portfolio and investment managers and provide back-office support for investment portfolio activities

Manage endowment spending policies and ensure compliance with applicable state regulations (UPMIFA)

Monitor and analyze program costs and revenue streams, including restricted and unrestricted funding sources

Develop and maintain financial forecasting models incorporating endowment distributions and investment income

Analyze donor restriction compliance and fund balance management

Systems and Process Improvement

Lead strategic evaluation and modernization of accounting systems

Spearhead implementation of cloud-based, integrated accounting software solutions designed for non-profit organizations

Drive digital transformation initiatives to automate manual processes and improve efficiency

Design and implement streamlined workflows that eliminate redundancies and reduce processing time

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure process effectiveness

Develop and maintain comprehensive accounting procedures manual and process documentation

Work with IT to ensure robust data integrity, security protocols, and disaster recovery procedures for all financial systems

Qualifications

Education & Certification

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required

CPA certification required

Master's degree in Accounting or MBA preferred

Experience

Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 5 years in a supervisory role

Minimum 5 years of experience in non-profit accounting and compliance

Minimum 3 years of experience with endowment accounting, restricted fund management, and investment portfolio support

Experience with debt compliance management and credit agency relationship management preferred

Proven track record of successfully leading accounting system implementations and process improvement initiatives

Experience with organizations of similar size and complexity ($75M+ annual revenue)

Demonstrated experience with treasury operations and cash management in complex funding environments

Demonstrated experience managing technology-driven transformation projects

Proven experience managing external audits and regulatory compliance

Leadership & Communication

Strong leadership and team management skills with experience managing direct reports

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to present complex financial information to diverse audiences

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills

Reporting Structure & Location

Reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer. Manages a team of 9 accounting professionals. Hybrid eligibility : Eligible.

Location : 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605

Pay Range

$175,000 – $205,000

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.

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