Controller

Controller
Location: Chicago, IL  60622 (Onsite)
Employment Type: Long Term Contract
Industry Preference: Insurance / Fraternal Benefit / Financial Services

Position Overview
The Controller will lead the organization’s accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance functions. This role requires a hands-on accounting leader with strong statutory accounting and insurance industry experience who can independently manage day-to-day financial operations, regulatory reporting, audits, and internal controls in a fully onsite environment.
The ideal candidate will have prior experience working within insurance, fraternal benefit organizations, or regulated financial services environments and possess deep knowledge of statutory accounting principles (SAP), GAAP reporting, and Illinois insurance regulatory requirements. Experience with Sage 50 accounting software is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities
Financial & Accounting Management

• Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP).
• Manage cash flow, banking activity, and investment accounting functions.
• Review journal entries, trial balances, payroll transactions, pension payments, annuity calculations, and claims-related accounting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.

Insurance Regulatory & Statutory Reporting

• Prepare and support statutory financial reporting and filings required by the Illinois Department of Insurance.
• Ensure compliance with insurance regulatory requirements and audit standards.
• Coordinate external audits, regulatory examinations, and internal audit activities.
• Maintain proper financial documentation and compliance records.

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain strong internal controls and accounting procedures.
• Monitor banking safeguards including positive pay, payment authorization, and fraud prevention controls.
• Ensure financial accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of organizational assets and records.

Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Supervise and mentor accounting staff.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, auditors, banks, investment advisors, and external vendors.
• Support strategic financial decision-making and organizational planning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum of three years of leadership or supervisory experience.

Strong experience in:

• Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP)
• GAAP financial reporting
• Regulatory reporting
• Audit management
• Internal controls

Experience working in:

• Insurance companies
• Fraternal benefit organizations
• Financial services organizations
• Strong understanding of insurance accounting and compliance requirements.
• Ability to work fully onsite in Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with:
• Sage 50 Accounting
• Sovos or compliance reporting platforms
• Insurance regulatory filings
• Investment accounting
• Pension/annuity accounting
• Experience in nonprofit or membership-based organizations is a plus.

Must-Have Skills

• Statutory Accounting (VERY IMPORTANT)
• Insurance Industry Accounting
• Regulatory Reporting
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Audit & Compliance Management
• General Ledger & Reconciliations
• Internal Controls
• Leadership & Team Management
• GAAP Accounting
• Sage 50 (Preferred)
• Fully Onsite Availability

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.