At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.  We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

Purpose of the Role

Core Job Responsibilities

• Manages the month-end close process to ensure the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of recording financial transactions

• Reviews monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial statements ensuring transactions are accurately recorded and financial statements are in accordance with GAAP.

• Oversees account reconciliations and ensures discrepancies are investigated and resolved in a timely manner. 

• Accurately records pledges receivable, donations (including in-kind and stock) and release from restriction, ensuring transactions are properly reflected in the financial statements in accordance with GAAP.  

• Oversees the audit process and assists in the tax return preparation with the Accounting Manager, Earned Income & Tax

• Evaluates business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls

• Supervises financial reporting accounting staff, including training and mentoring 

• Works closely with the Development and Program departments on grant management, compliance and reporting tasks.  Provides analysis and guidance.   

• Takes ownership of accounting related special projects, stays up to date with GAAP and new Accounting Standards Updates

• Maintains and reports on restricted cash to applicable departments, streamlines restricted cash and net asset reporting

• Oversees weekly cash flow management, monthly debt compliance with financial institution and monthly revenue recognition and reconciliation

• Maintains investment and endowment accounting with the assistance of the Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Administers the ERP Financial system (NetSuite) and related integrations

• Other responsibilities as assigned by Finance leadership

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Accounting processes are maximized for efficiency and accuracy for both staff users and the accounting department. Internal controls have been evaluated across the organization and all deficiencies have been addressed.

• Ensure the audit process is efficient and no material adjustments to the financial statements are required. 

• Revenue and pledge receivables schedules are supported and properly recorded. Accounts are reconciled monthly with Development.  

• Balance sheet accounts are reconciled and reviewed monthly by the 8th business day.

• The structure of the financial statements reflect best practices for exempt organizations and helps ensure donors, stakeholders and third party evaluators (e.g., Charity Navigator) maintain a positive view of the Foundation’s financial statements. 

• Grant management and reporting are maintained regularly. Financial grant reporting is completed in advance of due dates for review.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA is a plus. 

• Minimum of six (6) years’ experience in accounting at large not-for-profit organizations; public accounting experience auditing nonprofit organizations.

• Strong working knowledge of US GAAP (including not for profit accounting and financial reporting) and internal controls required; must have excellent math skills and attention to details

• Ability to work collaboratively with all departments and levels of the organization

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities without compromising quality

The salary range for this role is between $87,020  and $108,775. 

This is a hybrid role based at our Chicago office in Hyde Park.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at careers@obama.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.