Assistant Controller - Corporate Accounting

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments - high quality, rigorous instruction, talented and empowered educators, safety and support, financial stability and collective impact.

The Assistant Controller manages professional staff engaged in financial accounting; monitors operations and directs the development of systems and procedures to ensure operational efficiency; monitors payroll distributions and Oracle module interfaces; reviews audit reports and ensures accounts are accurately and efficiently managed; directs the allocation and compilation of data for financial reports; interprets general accounting principles and financial procedures to management.

As a senior leader in the Finance Department, the Assistant Controller is expected to successfully oversee and/or perform the following responsibilities:

Management:

• Manage all activities of the corporate accounting unit
  
  
• Ensure that staff adhere to policies and procedures in the daily maintenance of the general ledger
  
  
• Assign, review and approve work completed by corporate accounting staff
  
  
• Develop goals, objectives and performance standards for department and conduct performance evaluations
  
  
• Organize, develop, and schedule ongoing training and development for staff
  
  

Compliance and Reporting:

• Assist in the reporting of a $5+ billion organization
  
  
• Develop and review all policy and procedural changes to the Chicago Public Schools Accounting Manual
  
  
• Manage timely and accurate monthly and yearly closing of the general ledger, subledgers, and budgetary transactions
  
  
• Monitor, develop, review and approve financial reports, audit reports, account reconciliations, and analyses
  
  
• Coordinate the preparation of replies to auditors' findings and develop processes and procedures to implement audit recommendations
  
  
• Ensure the timely and proper application of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices and advisories, U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, and other federal, state and local regulatory directives
  
  
• Assist in enhancing and implementing systems, controls and procedures that will afford an efficient operation of the department and Chicago Public Schools
  
  

Communication & Collaboration:

• Serve as the main liaison to the Office of Grants & Budget Management, Treasury, Law, and other CPS departments
  
  
• Responsible for assisting ITS in the migration and/or upgrading of varied Oracle Financial modules
  
  
• Attend meetings, provide input, develop test scripts and direct the end-user acceptance testing
  
  

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance or a related field; Master's degree a plus
  
  
• Certified Public Accountant Certification
  
  

Type of Experience & Skills Required :

• Minimum of 7 years accounting and/or finance experience in a large government or decentralized organization
  
  
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
  
  
• Proven track record leading large-scale programs and projects
  
  
• Ability to understand, create and apply complex computations with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
  
  
• Ability to apply in-depth analysis, issue resolution, interpret complex accounting principles, statutes and policies
  
  
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present information to audiences at all levels both internal and external to the organization
  
  

• Ability to work extended hours as necessary
  
  

Computer Skills Required:

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint
  
  
• Oracle Financials
  
  
• SQL programming language is a plus
  
  
• Advanced Oracle or similar experience is preferred
  
  

Residency Requirement :

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of his or her CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.