Staff Accountant

Title: Staff Accountant 

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Accounting

Reports to: Controller

Year-Round Full-time

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

•  2026 A Guide to Your Benefits JP.pdf 

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate’s qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual’s contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview

The staff accountant supports the Accounting Department through accurate financial reporting, grant accounting, and general ledger activities. The person in this position assists with the accounting and reporting requirements for assigned grants, prepares journal entries and reconciliations, and supports audit and compliance activities. Working collaboratively with finance staff and program managers, the staff accountant helps ensure accurate financial records and effective financial operations across the Garden.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following: 

• Assist with coordinating the full life cycle of local, federal, and private grants, including monitoring budgets, expenditures, billing, and reporting deadlines to help ensure compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and other internal and external compliance requirements.
• Prepare monthly journal entries and account reconciliations for grants, receivables, cash, and other assigned general ledger accounts.
• Assist with preparing grant financial reports, reimbursement requests, and supporting schedules.
• Support the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit, and other compliance reviews by preparing schedules, reconciliations, and requested documentation. 
• Support cash and internal receipt controls, including deposit documentation, reconciliations, and periodic petty cash counts. 
• Collaborate with finance and program staff to maintain accurate accounting records and promote consistent financial reporting practices. 
• Cross-train on accounting functions to support departmental coverage and professional development. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the controller to support the Garden's accounting and financial operations.

Qualifications
 Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum of five years of professional accounting experience. At least three years of nonprofit experience is a plus but not required.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field a plus but not required.
• Strong understanding of GAAP. 
• Working knowledge of trial balance, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and month-end processes.
• Working knowledge of accounting and reporting software (e.g., Financial Edge).
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office products with advanced knowledge of Excel required.
• Experience working with Gateway Ticketing Systems’ Galaxy Connect a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy

Physical Demands:

Office setting. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds. 

Why Apply? 
 Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.