Director, Finance

Who we are:

A variety of soft skills and experience may be required for the following role Please ensure you check the overview below carefully.

At Challenge Unlimited, our vision is to become a national leader in providing employment services to people with disabilities that empower them to reach their full potential. We intentionally provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities which will assist them to live, work, and participate in the community.

Challenge Unlimited is driven by its core values: community, helpfulness, abilities, leadership, learning, ethics, innovation, growth, and effective outcomes. It is these values that have powered Challenge Unlimited to its success and has helped over 600 disabled individuals find meaningful work across all of our locations.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the EVP of Finance and Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Finance is responsible for the implementation of the organization’s financial management strategy which furthers our mission to help people who have different abilities to receive work support and development as needed—achieving the highest level of independence possible.

Operationally, this position manages the fiscal functions of the Company and affiliated entities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provides accurate and timely financial and business information to all levels of management; and provides leadership to the Company’s finance team.

Shift: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Location: Alton, Illinois

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Statement Preparation, Analysis and Distribution: Ensure that the Company and affiliated entities are adhering to the strategic plan by monitoring progress against milestones and goals and delivering status reports to the EVP of Finance and Strategic Initiatives and Senior Team. Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of business functions, programs, and interrelationships to assist with evaluating needs and supporting contracts and programs. Complete monthly financial close within agreed-upon number of business days each month while maintaining GAAP-compliant general ledger for Residential Options, Challenge Unlimited, AOS (Advanced Outsource Solutions) and Project CU, Inc.
2. Accounting and Annual Audits: Supervise and review general ledger accounts reconciliations monthly and resolve discrepancies. Coordinate annual external audits, resolve any accounting or procedural issues, and implement auditor follow-up recommendations. Provide analytical support to the management team, including the development of internal management reporting Job Description – Director of Finance capabilities. Create and oversee financial standard business practices and standard operating procedures. Oversee payroll processing, tax payments and governmental filings.
3. Budget: Lead annual operating and capital budget process with all departments for Residential Options, Challenge Unlimited, AOS and Project CU Inc within agreed-upon fiscal year timeframes. Develop Finance budget and review financial reports as requested/assigned by the EVP. Review Finance’s budget, monitoring and controlling labor, supply, and capital expenses for the department. Make recommendations and project estimates on expenses for future months and fiscal year. Propose and submit capital expenditure budgets to EVP for review/consideration.
4. Fiscal Reporting and Analysis: Ensure cost accounting and program allocations are compliant with federal and state requirements. Audit revenue and expenses to match contract specifications and for applicable company and department coding. Process direct labor ratio reports and report results to Source America (aka NISH). Provide analytical support to the management team, including the development of internal management reporting capabilities. Oversee various governmental financial reporting at state and federal level. Develop financial strategies to maximize the use of company financial resources. Coordinate quarterly finance committee meetings.
5. Effective Team Leadership: Promote the mission and values of the Company. Lead team and place people in positions to succeed. Hire, train, and empower the team to effectively oversee their areas of responsibility. Encourage effective outcomes and accountability. Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate assigned sites’ activities and performance. Communicate job expectations. Plan, monitor, and appraise job results; evaluate team for continual improvement, efficiency, and effectiveness. Initiate, coordinate, and enforce systems, policies, and procedures. Mentor and develop the team through training, problem resolution, and performance evaluation. Work cross functionally with departmental teams to further programmatic, operational and financial goals. Build an effective Company culture that embodies our Company values to achieve optimum performance levels and achieve goals and objectives. Perform other related duties and assignments as require.

Position Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting. Master’s Degree (MBA) and/or CPA designation preferred.
Experience: 7 years of accounting experience with two in a leadership role. Must pass credit history check. Possesses an elevated level of business acumen, problem solving, project management, and creative resourcefulness.
Pre-Employment Tests: Intermediate+ level Excel; proficient with Word, Outlook.
Background Checks: Must pass criminal background check. Must pass various State and Federal registry checks. Must pass credit history check. Must pass DCFS Abuse and Neglect Tracking System check. Must pass driving history check and Company policy criteria, maintain valid driver’s license, and be 21 or older to drive.
Driving: Company travel using personal insured vehicle is required. Occasionally drives personal vehicle between work sites.
Physical Demands:
Sitting: Continuously sitting in the normal course of office-sedentary type work.
Standing: Occasionally standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and twisting in the normal course of office-sedentary type work and for training workers.
Hearing, Speaking: Frequently listens and speaks with managers and employees to collect and offer information to solve problems and process financials & accounting tasks.
Seeing: Continually visually active to read and audit information on screen or in print, occasionally in small font size.
Handling: Frequently using hands in typing, calculating, filing, phone and other office equipment use.
Movement: Occasionally bending, reaching, and twisting; occasionally climbing stairs and/or ladders squatting, and kneeling.
Lifting: Occasionally lifting, carrying, and pushing or pulling up to 10 lbs. in the normal course of office-sedentary type work.
Benefits:
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Short Term & Long-Term Disability
Training & Development
Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
Wellness Resources
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
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