Aspire is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented financial leader to oversee the organization’s core accounting operations and drive process improvement in support of its mission to empower individuals with developmental disabilities. Managing day-to-day accounting functions, month-end closing, and financial reporting across a $25M+ budget, this leader will ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial outputs that support informed decision-making across departments.

The role will begin during a planned leadership transition in the finance team. The current Controller, a long-tenured and integral member of the Aspire team, is planning to retire in September 2026. This position will have approximately six months of overlap with them, offering a valuable opportunity to onboard with direct support, transfer institutional knowledge, and gradually assume responsibility for the function. The role will report directly to the CFO throughout the transition and beyond. The incoming Controller will initially supervise 1–2 team members, with the potential to assume additional leadership responsibility as the transition evolves.

This leader will be responsible for journal entries, managing month-end close cycles, producing financial packets, and optimizing reporting out of Aspire’s accounting and ERP platform, NetSuite. In the first year, success will include mastering Aspire’s financial systems, reducing the month-end close timeline, leading grant reporting work, and improving consistency and accuracy in departmental financials. This leader will play a key role in strengthening internal controls, delivering financial education to non-finance staff, and streamlining integrations across third-party systems, spreadsheets, and core accounting modules.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting and operational expertise, proficiency with NetSuite, and the ability to partner across departments. They will balance precision with service orientation. This leader will manage, mentor, and guide the finance team in operating as a service-oriented function, modeling strong partnership with other departments, strengthening cross-functional communication, and ensuring staff are equipped to educate and support colleagues across the organization. The Controller will have meaningful influence behind the scenes, improving systems, enhancing cross-functional alignment, and contributing to healthier finance team culture.

Key Responsibilities Include: 

Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations

• Lead daily accounting functions (general ledger, AP/AR, payroll), ensure accurate reconciliation of all transactions, and oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statement preparation in compliance with GAAP.
• Manage the month-end close process and coordinate annual audit preparation and execution in collaboration with external auditors.
• Lead the implementation and adoption of additional NetSuite modules and guide the transition to fully integrated ERP workflows that strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and data integrity. 

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual budget, and partner with department leaders to provide financial performance insights and variance analysis.
• Assist with multi-year financial planning and scenario modeling to inform organizational decisions and long-term direction.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain and strengthen internal control systems, ensuring compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, grant requirements, and relevant regulations.
• Support preparation of compliance-related filings, including Form 990 and state registrations.
• Oversee grant compliance, reporting, and revenue recognition across multiple funding sources, ensuring accurate financial tracking and appropriate oversight of grant administration. 
• Lead audit preparation activities, including coordination with external auditors, while ensuring all financial records comply with audit standards and best practices. 

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise and develop finance team members, fostering accountability and continuous improvement; provide financial training and tools to non-finance colleagues.
• Serve as a liaison to external partners such as auditors, banks, and insurance brokers.

Strategic and Operational Support

• Partner with the CFO to advance financial strategy and lead process and system improvements, including evaluating opportunities to enhance reporting and data integration.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to senior leadership and contribute to preparation of materials for Finance Committee meetings as appropriate.

The ideal candidate will be outcomes oriented and have a deep commitment to Aspire’s mission, demonstrating genuine care for the well-being of the people in Aspire’s care. While it’s understood that no single candidate will bring every single competency, strong candidates will offer the following skills, characteristics, and experiences:

Financial Accuracy and Technical Expertise

Brings deep understanding of GAAP, nonprofit fund accounting, and grant compliance. Skilled at journal entries, reporting, reconciliation, and optimizing system usage. Applies strong data accuracy standards and proactively identifies ways to improve the timing and quality of financial reporting and month-end close. Experienced with NetSuite or similar systems, and able to reduce manual spreadsheet reliance by integrating processes and improving system functionality. A leader who brings fluency in audit processes, grant-related financial requirements, and revenue recognition across multiple funding streams, applying a disciplined and accurate approach to all financial outputs.

Operational Improvement and Internal Controls

Experienced in establishing disciplined financial processes and documentation. Enhances tracking, forecasting, and reporting through system integrations and structured workflows. Assesses existing financial practices and identifies ways to streamline tools such as fixed asset and budgeting modules. Brings patience and persistence when implementing process changes and promotes accountability through practical and achievable steps. 

Collaborative Partnership and Communication

Communicates financial information with clarity and accessibility. Provides excellent customer service to program leaders, supporting them in understanding their department streams, spending patterns, and grant compliance requirements. Offers financial education and works alongside staff to translate financial data into practical guidance. A leader that models a service-focused mindset, guiding the finance team in educating, supporting, and partnering with departments across the organization.

Adaptive and Solutions-Oriented Leadership

Approaches the role with steady problem-solving and openness to new approaches. Able to navigate complex team dynamics with professionalism, patience, and thoughtful feedback. Comfortable providing direction to newer team members and stepping in to realign workflows when needed without unnecessarily disrupting functional team strengths. Maintains composure and focus in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Values-Driven and Team Focused

Grounded in Aspire’s mission, models humility, empathy, and respect for individuals served and colleagues across teams. Prioritizes integrity in financial oversight and aligns decision-making with ethical standards and long-term sustainability. Builds trusted relationships and contributes positively to team culture while reinforcing Aspire’s values.

Location, Compensation and Benefits

Aspire has three locations (and growing) serving the Chicagoland area and southern Wisconsin. The Administrative Office is at 1815 South Wolf Road in Hillside, Illinois. This is a hybrid role, in office 3 days a week. 

The salary range for this role is $110,000 – $130,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Aspire offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, a retirement plan with employer contributions, paid time off and holidays, and other employee support programs that foster balance and well-being.

How to Apply

To express your interest in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Maneva website.

All inquiries and discussions will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. We are actively recruiting for this position, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the search is concluded.