Controller

Controller

Lead the accounting and business operations of a historic Chicago college in a period of growth

Institution: Generations College

Location: Chicago, IL (the Loop, Heyworth Building); 3:2 hybrid work model

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt

Reports To: Chancellor

Salary Range: $95,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience

Start Date: Immediate

Application Review: Applications are reviewed as they arrive

The Opportunity

Generations College seeks a hands-on Controller to own its accounting and business operations. You will report directly to the Chancellor and play a central role in rebuilding the College's Finance Department. Your job is to make sure the books are accurate, the close is on time, the audit runs smoothly, and leadership has clear, reliable financial information.

The College is in a period of growth. The Higher Learning Commission recently reaffirmed our accreditation for ten years, the longest term HLC awards, and approved our first bachelor's degrees: Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, each with an Artificial Intelligence concentration. We now enroll adult learners and working parents in 40 states. We are at the midpoint of our ten-year strategic plan, A Legacy Renaissance.

Room to grow. As the Finance Department evolves, a Controller who performs well may be considered for expanded responsibilities, including senior finance leadership.

What You Will Do

Accounting and Financial Operations

•     Own the general ledger, month-end and year-end close, account reconciliations and timely, accurate GAAP financial statements for a nonprofit institution.

•     Direct the Business Office: accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and student accounts.

•     Support HR administration related to payroll and benefits, including new-hire onboarding paperwork, benefits enrollment and 403(b) administration.

•     Manage cash flow, banking relationships and treasury activity using online banking platforms.

•     Prepare for and manage the annual financial statement audit and the Single Audit (Uniform Guidance), and serve as the primary contact for external auditors.

•     Oversee Title IV fiscal reconciliation and reporting in partnership with Financial Aid leadership.

•     Prepare or coordinate the Form 990, the IPEDS finance survey and other required federal and state reporting.

•     Design, document and enforce strong internal controls, policies and procedures.

•     Optimize the use of Sage (or a comparable accounting system) and its integration with the College's student information system (Ellucian).

Budgeting and Reporting

•     Prepare the annual operating budget and monitor budget-to-actual results throughout the year.

•     Produce monthly financial reports and cash forecasts for the Chancellor.

•     Prepare financial reports for the Board of Trustees' Finance and Audit Committees.

•     Provide cost and revenue analysis to support decisions about new programs and enrollment initiatives.

•     Track the Department of Education financial responsibility composite score and support financial documentation for accreditation and program approvals.

•     Supervise and develop Business Office staff.

What You Bring

Required

•     Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field.

•     At least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including experience as a controller, assistant controller, accounting manager or audit senior.

•     Hands-on experience with nonprofit or higher education accounting, either working in it or auditing it (for example fund accounting, restricted funds or federal grants).

•     Strong command of GAAP, month-end close, audit preparation and internal controls.

•     Advanced Excel skills and comfort with accounting software and online banking platforms.

•     Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain financial results to people who are not accountants.

Preferred

•     Master's degree in accounting, finance or business administration, or a CPA license.

•     Experience with Sage, and familiarity with Ellucian or other student information and financial aid systems.

•     Experience preparing reports for a board or audit committee using Power BI or other data visualization and reporting tools.

•     Higher education experience, particularly Title IV, student accounts or the Single Audit.

•     A resourceful, hands-on approach and an interest in improving systems in a small, collaborative organization.

•     Comfort using AI tools, and a willingness to learn and apply advanced technologies to do the work more efficiently.

Compensation and Benefits

•     Salary: $95,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience.

•     Medical and dental insurance.

•     403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one year of service.

•     Paid vacation and paid holidays.

•     A 3:2 hybrid work model.

We are looking to fill this position immediately and review applications as they arrive, so we encourage you to apply promptly.

Generations College is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

About Generations College

Founded in 1904, Generations College is the oldest two-year private college in Illinois. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds program approvals from national agencies including the American Bar Association and the National Court Reporters Association. The College offers campus-based and online degrees in Court Reporting, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship and Paralegal Studies. It recently added bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, each with an AI concentration. Our campus is in the historic Heyworth Building in Chicago's Loop, steps from Millennium Park and major transit lines.

We serve adult learners and working parents, and we build their confidence and practical skills so they can succeed in a complex, changing world. Our small team is collaborative and committed to helping every student reach their greatest potential, and we support our staff in growing as lifelong learners too.