Director of Finance and Accounting

Founded in 2001, LEARN is a nationally recognized non-profit network of PreK-8th grade elementary charter schools that is creating measurable, transformational change in the lives of its students. We currently educate 4,100 students, a majority low-income, minority student population (88% and 98%, respectively) across 12 campuses, the majority of which are in Chicago, IL. LEARN also serves families in Waukegan and North Chicago IL including the families of service members located at the Great Lakes Naval Academy and Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling (JBAB) in Washington D.C. This is a hybrid work environment, not a remote opportunity. 

Our schools provide a rigorous educational program that is built upon an intimate understanding of each student’s individual learning style and academic needs. We are guided by five core values which include: expectations of high achievement; mutual respect; the development of a safe and nurturing environment; active family involvement; and the positive development of the Whole Child.

LEARN alumni graduate college at 2x the rate of their peers, exceeding city, state and national averages. Our college graduation rate is 10 points above the national average for all students regardless of socio-economic status or ethnicity. We are proud to be closing the achievement gap.

What You’ll Do:

LEARN is seeking a Director of Finance & Accounting to serve as a hands-on financial leader responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of the organization’s finance and accounting functions.

Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Senior Director of Finance & Accounting, this role  provides strong technical accounting expertise, financial analysis, and operational oversight to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial information across the organization.

This is an individual contributor role for a highly analytical, detail-oriented finance professional who enjoys rolling up their sleeves and pitching in. The Director will own critical financial processes from beginning to end, with particular emphasis on payroll, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, account reconciliation, audits, internal controls, cash flow analysis and financial analysis.

• Coordinate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closes; prepare and review financial statements, supporting schedules, and reports.
• Analyze financial results, trends, and variances, escalating issues and providing insights to the Senior Director of Finance & Accounting, CFO, Board, and other stakeholders.
• Standardize financial reporting processes across the organization.

• Support annual budgeting and forecasting with accounting data, historical trends, and financial analysis.
• Conduct monthly budget-to-actual analysis, investigate variances, and help department leaders understand financial results.
• Identify opportunities to optimize resource allocation, control costs, strengthen financial sustainability, and provide forecasts and recommendations for strategic and operational decisions.

• Oversee the accounting accuracy of payroll transactions, reconciliations, accruals, benefits expenses, tax liabilities, and related accounts in partnership with the Payroll Supervisor.
• Resolve payroll accounting discrepancies and ensure timely month-end and year-end entries and reconciliations.

• Support accounting and reporting for grants, programs, schools, and educational initiatives, ensuring proper treatment of restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Assist with grant reporting and compliance, and partner with program and operational leaders to ensure expenditures are accurately recorded, documented, and aligned with funding requirements.

• Prepare and review audit workpapers and support compliance with GAAP, governmental and grant requirements, and organizational policies.
• Monitor internal controls, recommend improvements, implement corrective actions, and support tax filings and regulatory reporting.

This position initially has no direct reports but provides functional leadership and technical guidance to the Finance & Accounting team.

• Serve as a subject-matter expert to Senior Accountants and the Junior Accountant; review work, provide feedback, and identify training needs.
• Partner with the Payroll Supervisor on payroll accounting and promote accountability, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Evaluate and improve accounting processes, efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
• Support financial system implementation and optimization, automate manual processes, and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Develop and maintain accounting procedures and documentation, and participate in cross-functional projects involving finance, payroll, operations, and technology.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Demonstrated experience with month-end and year-end close processes.
• Strong general ledger and account reconciliation experience.
• Experience supporting external financial statement audits.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial/accounting systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict reporting deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Preferred

• CPA, MBA, or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience in education, nonprofit, charter school, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Experience with fund accounting, grant accounting, or restricted funding.
• Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge or similar nonprofit/education financial systems.
• Experience developing and strengthening internal controls.
• Experience working with multi-entity or multi-location organizations.

Core Competencies

• Technical Accounting Expertise – Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Analytical Thinking – Ability to analyze financial information, identify trends and discrepancies, and develop solutions.
• Attention to Detail – Maintains a high level of accuracy while understanding the broader financial picture.
• Leadership Without Authority – Effectively influences, guides, and supports others without having direct supervisory responsibility.
• Communication – Clearly communicates financial information to both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Collaboration – Builds effective working relationships across Finance, Payroll, Operations, and educational teams.
• Continuous Improvement – Identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, systems, and controls.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of responsibilities and follows through on commitments.
• Mission Alignment – Demonstrates commitment to supporting the organization’s educational mission through sound financial stewardship.

Benefits Summary: 

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, paid holidays
• Short and long term disability
• Paid life insurance
• Pet Insurance 
• 403B Contribution + 4.5% matching as eligible

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network.  Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, family medical history, disability or veteran status.