Director, Finance

Job Details

Job Location: Chicago, IL 60601

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00 Salary/year

Travel Percentage: Negligible

Job Category: Finance

About the Role

The Director of Finance is accountable for managing accounting operations including, but not limited to monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, financial statement consolidation and preparation, leading and developing a high-performing Finance team, and review and reconciliation of transactions. This position assists the Chief Financial Officer with financial reporting, global internal and external audit, insurance, regulatory and tax compliance, annual budget preparation and rollout, monthly budget vs. actual analysis, margin analysis and rolling forecast, cost control, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central administration and optimization, ERP system integration, PO system implementation, and cash and capital assets management. The Director of Finance drives the adoption of AI tools and automation to enhance financial operations, improve reporting accuracy, and streamline close processes. This role serves as the key finance lead supporting all departments globally and the Board of Directors.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team of a global association with a $22M operating budget; set clear performance expectations, provide regular coaching and feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and build team capacity through ongoing training and professional development planning.
• Serve as the Finance lead for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central; oversee system administration, configuration, maintenance, upgrades, and optimization of financial modules including GL, AP, AR, fixed assets, and cash management.
• Maintain the integration between Business Central and CRM systems. Evaluate business needs for updates and resource allocation.
• Champion the adoption and responsible use of AI tools (including Microsoft and Dynamics 365 AI capabilities) to automate accounts payable processing, variance analysis, cash flow forecasting, and financial report generation; establish governance standards and train Finance staff on effective AI-assisted workflows.
• Leverage Business Central reporting dashboards to deliver real-time financial insights to leadership; develop automated variance commentary and management reporting packages.
• Assist in preparation of annual budget in collaboration with all functional departments.
• Perform financial analysis and any other special projects as needed.
• Initiate new accounting and operational procedures to improve efficiency and strive for best practices.
• Oversee general ledger activity including reviewing and approving journal entries, reconciling accounts, and managing year-end close; review AR/AP transactions and trial balances prepared by Finance staff.
• Prepare labor and overhead allocations.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of financial transactions.
• Prepare, analyze, and present financial reports for CFO, executive leadership, and stakeholders; generate accurate month-end financial packages on a timely basis.
• Manage revenue recognition policies to ensure adherence to ASC 606 across all revenue streams.
• Collaborate on the creation of GAAP-compliant financial statements for all domestic and foreign entities.
• Payroll processing and reconciliation, payroll accruals, commission calculations, and review.
• Assist with payroll tax compliances and various Federal, State, Foreign tax calculations, and reporting.
• Oversee 1099/1096s and other tax documents preparation as required.
• Ensure compliance with tax filings, reports, and payments.
• Support the annual audit for domestic entities (501(c)(6), 501(c)(3), and LLC) as well as audits of foreign entities; assist with tax return preparation in conjunction with external auditors.
• Monitor and reconcile investment accounts; assist with cash flow management and treasury functions.
• Manage AR aging and collection.
• Allocate resources for prompt collections of customer invoices due.
• Review and approve accounts payable to ensure proper coding and adherence to budget; assist with maintaining GAAP-compliant Accounting Policies and Procedures; ensure PO system compliance for proper authorization levels.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all entities including domestic nonprofit and foreign entities; manage organizational insurance coverage.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft 365 suite
• Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule
• Extensive knowledge of accounting, accounting systems, financial management, forecasting, planning, budgeting, and operational policies and procedures; demonstrated ability to lead and develop Finance teams and drive AI and automation adoption within finance operations.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel as business needs require.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or another business-related field
• CPA certification required
• 7-10 years of progressive accounting/Finance experience, including at least 3 years in a management or team leadership role
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central required; familiarity with AI-assisted finance tools strongly preferred

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• Ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time in performing the work.
• Ability to travel by air or ground transportation as required in performing the work.