Controller

Controller

mHUB seeks an experienced, detail-oriented, and strategic Controller to lead the organization’s accounting, financial reporting, and compliance functions. This role is critical to ensuring the financial integrity, transparency, and operational excellence of one of the nation’s leading hardtech innovation and commercialization organizations.

mHUB is a complex, multi-entity nonprofit organization with diversified revenue streams including memberships, fabrication services, corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and federal, state, and local government grants. The Controller will play a central role in stewarding these resources, strengthening financial systems, managing audits, and ensuring accurate and timely reporting across all entities and funding sources.

Reporting directly to the COO and working closely with the executive leadership team, the Controller will serve as the organization’s senior accounting leader and a trusted financial advisor, supporting mHUB’s continued growth, impact, and compliance obligations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Accounting Operations

• Own and oversee all accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, cash management, fixed assets, and month-end and year-end close processes.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and GAAP-compliant financial statements for all mHUB entities.
• Maintain and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls appropriate for a growing, multi-entity nonprofit organization.
• Partner with executive leadership to provide clear, actionable financial reporting and analysis that supports decision-making and strategic planning.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes in collaboration with the CEO, COO and business unit leaders.

Audit, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead and manage all external audits, including annual financial statement audits, Single Audits (if applicable), and any program- or grant-specific audits.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, preparing schedules, documentation, and responses to audit requests.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations applicable to nonprofit organizations, including IRS filings (Form 990), state charitable registrations, and other statutory requirements.
• Identify financial and compliance risks and proactively implement controls and mitigation strategies.

Grants, Restricted Funding & Funder Reporting

• Own end-to-end financial oversight of all philanthropic and government grants, from pre-award budgeting and application support through post-award reporting and closeout.
• Design, implement, and maintain transparent systems, controls, and templates to track grant budgets, expenditures, restricted funds, and required financial and outcome metrics across programs and entities.
• Establish standardized grant reporting calendars, workflows, and documentation practices to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial and reimbursement reporting.
• Partner closely with program and development teams to align financial tracking with programmatic outcomes, ensuring reported impact is clearly supported by financial data.
• Monitor grant performance against approved budgets and milestones, proactively identifying variances, risks, and compliance issues and recommending corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary financial point of contact for funders, auditors, and internal stakeholders on all grant-related financial matters, including audits and site visits.
• Build organizational confidence and capability in grant management by training staff on grant financial requirements, reporting expectations, and internal processes, fostering strong stewardship and funder trust.

Multi-Entity & Organizational Complexity

• Manage accounting and reporting across multiple legal entities, programs, and cost centers.
• Ensure proper intercompany accounting, allocations, and consolidations.
• Support organizational growth and evolution by advising on financial implications of new entities, programs, partnerships, and funding structures.
• Work cross-functionally with operations, development, programs, and ventures teams to align financial systems with organizational needs.

Team Leadership & Systems Improvement

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting and finance team, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, continuous improvement, and service.
• Evaluate and enhance financial systems, tools, and workflows to improve efficiency, scalability, and data integrity.
• Implement best practices in nonprofit financial management and reporting as mHUB continues to grow in size and complexity.

Capabilities

• Deep technical expertise in nonprofit accounting, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Strong systems thinker with the ability to design and improve processes in a dynamic, fast-growing organization.
• High attention to detail paired with the ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level.
• Strong judgment, integrity, and commitment to transparency and stewardship.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across functions and leadership levels.

Qualifications

• CPA required, Masters degree in Accounting may be considered as alternative.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with significant experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated experience managing annual audits and serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Proven experience managing and reporting on philanthropic and government grants, including restricted funding.
• Experience working in a multi-entity organizational environment.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and federal grant compliance requirements.
• Prior experience in an organization with $10M+ annual operating budget strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with fund accounting for investment, venture capital, and/or real estate entities is preferred.
• Experience working closely with executive leadership and boards is a plus.

Salary and Benefits

The estimated salary range for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. mHUB offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous PTO, 401(k), medical, dental, and vision coverage, and the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization with national impact.

This is an on-site position.

About mHUB

mHUB is the nation’s leading independent innovation center dedicated to accelerating hardtech development—where physical products are designed, built, and launched to solve real-world challenges in energy, health, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. At the intersection of innovation and industry, mHUB incubates high-potential startups to commercialize critical technologies faster and with intention.

Based in Chicago, mHUB operates an 80,000+ square-foot prototyping and micro-factory alongside deep technical and entrepreneurial mentorship, a robust investor and pilot network, and U.S.-based suppliers and manufacturing expertise. Since launching in 2017, mHUB has supported over 1,200 entrepreneurs and 500 startups that have generated more than $1.96B in revenue, launched over 1,700 products, created nearly 7,000 jobs, and raised over $2B in capital. mHUB plays a critical role in strengthening U.S. competitiveness and building the physical future from the heart of the Midwest.