Director of Accounting & Financial Reporting

At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

We are deeply committed to creating an actively anti-racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists.Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of the Role

The Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting is responsible for management of the day-to-day financial operations of the Foundation and will ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. The Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting will be responsible for developing and maintaining accounting records and processes and enhancing financial reporting practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in compliance with US GAAP. This position manages a variety of accounting activities including general ledger preparation and reconciliation, financial reporting, year-end audit preparation and provides leadership and support for the annual budget/planning process.

As the Director of Accounting & Financial Reporting, you’ll be reporting directly to the VP of Finance.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting: Directs the preparation, review, and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; provides insight and analysis related to the financial performance of the Foundation, including variance analysis, dashboards, performance drivers and key metrics.
• Technical Accounting Leadership: Serves as the primary technical resource for the Foundation; researches and interprets complex accounting standards and tax regulations to ensure the proper treatment of diverse revenue streams, restricted gifts, and capital assets.
• Treasury and Investment Oversight: Responsible for day-to-day management of the banking and treasury functions; monitors the performance of the Foundation’s investment portfolio.
• Internal Controls: Establishes and maintains a framework of internal controls and financial policies to safeguard assets, mitigate risk, and ensure the reliability of financial data.
• Operational Excellence & Systems Optimization: Leads the continuous improvement of accounting workflows and financial systems, ensuring they remain scalable and efficient as the Foundation’s programming and operational complexity evolve.
• Compliance & Audit Management: Owns the relationship with external auditors and tax firms, overseeing the timely completion of the annual audit and the accurate filing of all IRS returns and benefit plan filings.
• Team Leadership: Manages and mentors the accounting staff, fostering a culture of professional growth, accountability, and high performance to support the Foundation’s long-term financial needs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partners with leadership in Development, Operations, and Legal to provide financial expertise and support for institution-wide initiatives and board-level reporting.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Standardized Financial Reporting: Financial reports and dashboards that provide clear, actionable insights into the Foundation's performance.
• Tax & Regulatory Compliance: Accurate, timely filings and clean audit opinions (e.g., Form 990 and 990T and other IRS filings).
• Optimized Internal Controls: A dynamic set of internal controls that adapt to the changing risk profile of the Foundation.
• Scalable Financial Infrastructure: Workflows and integrated systems that minimize manual effort and maximize data integrity.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in public accounting and/or financial management at large, complex not-for-profit organizations; previous 501c3 and cultural institution experience a plus, although not required
• Deep expertise in GAAP, specifically regarding net asset classifications, revenue recognition for non-profits and cultural institutions, endowment accounting, and capital asset accounting.
• Proven experience managing the annual audit process and a strong working knowledge of IRS nonprofit compliance, including Form 990/990-T and payroll/benefit plan regulations (403b).
• Demonstrated success in maintaining and optimizing internal controls and financial systems.
• Proven ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable reports for non-financial stakeholders and Board committees.
• Excellent math skills and attention to details.
• Exceptional ability to lead and mentor a professional accounting team.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required; CPA strongly preferred.

The salary range for this role is between $129,675 and $162,070.

This is a remote role requiring one day a month in our Hyde Park office.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.