Senior Director, Accounting

The Senior Director, Accounting & Tax provides strategic leadership and oversight of the organization's accounting, tax compliance, and financial reporting functions. This role ensures adherence to U.S. GAAP, IRS regulations for tax-exempt entities, and federal, state, and local compliance requirements. The position plays a critical role in maintaining financial integrity, supporting organizational growth, and advising senior leadership on complex accounting and tax matters.

Responsibilities

• Accounting

• Prepare and review schedules for the annual audit and liaise with external auditors.

• Oversee accounting for investments, charitable gift annuities (CGAs), fixed assets, leases, research grants, pledges and receivables, donor restricted net assets, contract liability, contributed services, etc.

• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and implement new accounting standards as required.

• Tax

• Lead the preparation and review of annual IRS Form 990 and all related filings for the Alzheimer's Association and all other entities.

• Develop and execute tax strategies for the organization and its affiliates.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, including unrelated business income tax (UBIT) and sales/use tax.
• Monitor changes in tax laws affecting nonprofit organizations and advise leadership accordingly.

• Review required sales and use tax filings and other tax filings.

• Other

• Review CGA registration and filings.

• Supervise and mentor accounting and tax staff, fostering professional development.
• Collaborate with internal teams to provide support and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency in accounting and tax processes.
• Implement best practices for internal controls and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in accounting and tax, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Nonprofit experience is strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of nonprofit tax law and GAAP.
• Experience preparing/reviewing Forms 990 and 990-T.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with accounting systems, preferably Workday, and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong ability to lead and manage teams, with a focus on developing talent and driving performance.
• Familiarity with restricted fund accounting preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with executive leadership, boards of directors, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines. This may require some evenings or weekend work.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of theory and application of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, internal controls and segregation of duties.
• Advanced understanding of nonprofit tax law.
• Specific accounting experience in general ledger including cash, investments, leases, fixed assets, and restricted net assets.
• Works independently but also exercises good judgment in identifying and then escalating unusual accounting items to the proper staff member.
• Determine tasks priority for self and staff.
• Ability to work with a diverse group on site and off site.

Title: Senior Director, Accounting & Tax
Position Location: Chicago, IL - Hybrid
Full time or Part time: Full Time
Position Grade & Compensation: Grade 513
The Alzheimer's Association's good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is between $156,000 to $185,000.
Reports To: VP, Accounting & Financial Reporting
Who We Are
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia– by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

The Alzheimer's Association announced a landmark $100 million investment in research for 2023. This unparalleled commitment is illustrative of the momentum we are building in dementia research — our investments today will lead to breakthroughs tomorrow.

At the Alzheimer's Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer's and those at risk for the disease.

We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row.

At the Alzheimer's Association, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer's and dementia.

The Alzheimer's Association commitment remains steadfast in engaging all communities in our full mission. The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment to the fullest extent required by law, including, but not limited to, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan. Please click HERE for more information.

Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing.