About our Client
We are looking for a Financial Controller for an agribusiness company, located in Chicago, IL.
About the Role
Accounting Department Leadership: Oversee all accounting functions, including month-end close, internal and external teams, payroll, A/R, A/P, financial reporting, and general ledger management.
Audit & Compliance: Ensure GAAP compliance, manage audit readiness, tax filings, and regulatory adherence. Lead company and associated affiliates through the first audit process by ensuring all documentation, controls, and reporting are compliant.
Process Optimization: Implement and optimize automation tools for improved reporting, efficiency, and scalability such as payment and expense management platforms, CRM and other system integrations to help holding company and portfolio companies scale
Stakeholder Collaboration: Liaise with executives, portfolio companies, and operating teams on accounting, finance, and reporting matters.
Team Management: Build and lead a high-performing accounting team, fostering growth and collaboration.
Special Projects: Lead initiatives like ERP implementation, payment processing, and cross-departmental projects that have an accounting and finance impact.
Financial Controls: Develop and maintain financial policies, SOPs, and internal controls for accurate, timely reporting.
KPI Management: Oversee KPI dashboards and provide financial insights to executives.
Entity Oversight: Manage consolidation, reporting, and compliance for holding company, family office, and portfolio entities.
Cash Flow & Treasury: Oversee cash flow, banking relationships, and treasury functions.
Collaboration with CFO: Support CFO in external requests, financial planning, and operational changes.
Timely Reporting: Financial statements and reports are delivered accurately, in compliance with GAAP, and on time.
Team Development: A high-performing, collaborative team is built through mentorship, training, and leadership.
Audit Readiness: Successfully led the company through its first external audit, ensuring compliance in processes, controls, and governance.
Strategic Leadership: Provided thought leadership for cross-departmental initiatives, driving better insights, scalability and efficiency.
Best Practices: Implemented robust documentation, accounting procedures, and internal controls.
Tax & Compliance: Ensured all tax, regulatory, and financial requirements are met promptly and accurately. All sales & use, workers compensation, franchise and other taxes are accurately filed and third parties are properly managed
Automation: Introduced tools and best practices to improve financial visibility and quality across the holding company, family office, and portfolio companies.
Efficient Close Process: Achieved a 5-10 day month-end close cycle.
Accessible Information: Ensured executives and stakeholders always have access to accurate financial and operational data.
Comprehensive Documentation: Established clear, well-documented SOPs, controls, and compliance processes for the organization.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree and/or Masters in accounting or business administration, or equivalent business experience
8+ years of progressively responsible experience in SAAS, high-growth service companies, and/or an investment firm with at least 2 years of accounting leadership
Demonstrated track record of developing accounting department policies, procedures, and documentation
3+ years of public audit experience
Preference will be given to candidates with the Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designations
Experience working within varying CRMs and/or ERPs with a preference for Quickbooks Online automation and reporting, NetSuite, and other cloud accounting software programs
Venture capital-backed, family office, and/or private equity-backed companies experience preferred
Entrepreneurial mindset with desire to partner with all departments
High level of written and oral communication skills
Extreme attention to detail
Comfortable collaborating with other teammates to create new processes and/or streamline existing ones
Experience partnering with third parties used for outsourcing (i.e. Legal, Tax, Accounting)
Experience working with and/or managing multiple entities
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