Controller

LFCDS, founded in 1888 and located on a 30-acre campus about 30 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational, independent day school serving 420 students from age 2 through eighth grade. The School has a long tradition of producing thoughtful, confident, and successful students. Children are known, loved, and challenged at LFCDS, and a state-of-the-art facility provides a remarkable setting for inspired teaching, personal growth, and nurturing a love of learning.

Lake Forest Country Day School is seeking a Controller to oversee the school’s day-to-day business operations - ensuring accuracy, accountability and compliance with all applicable standards and regulations. This role manages all accounting functions including payroll administration, accounts
payable and receivable processing, internal controls, and preparation for annual audits and tax filings. The Controller collaborates extensively with leadership to provide strategic financial guidance, enhance financial controls, and support LFCDS’ mission-driven initiatives with a high degree of stewardship. This position is also responsible for leading the team through organizational changes, ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory requirements and reporting standards, and operational enhancements.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Short-and mid-term cash management and planning bank relationships.
  • Maintains the general ledger, sub ledgers and the data supporting the financial statements of the School.
  • Handles monthly closings, prepares and enters journal entries and bank reconciliations for investment accounts.
  • Develops budget reports with sub-ledgers and distributes to Department and Division Heads.
  • Acts as liaison between the School and CPA firm; overseeing, coordinating and preparing for the annual financial preparation, audit, and IRS Form 990.
  • Responsible for performing the accounts payable function.
  • Perform monthly payroll through ADP and all responsibilities connected with payroll.
  • Receives all checks that come into the school by mail or in person and remotely deposits them.
  • Prepares Monthly ST-1 (Sales & Use Tax return), Bingo Tax, and other tax returns as needed.
  • Responsible for facilitating the 403(b) audit, Form 5500, and Workman's Compensation audit.
  • Leads and facilitates various benchmarking surveys.
Other Responsibilities:
  • Monitors and tracks donor-restricted funds to ensure they are spent in accordance with the donor’s purpose.
  • Works closely with the Development Office regarding receipts of donations.
  • Complete monthly bank reconciliations, including operating and other accounts.
  • Prepare and Review 1099's.
  • Provides financial reports to Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations as needed.
  • Prepares Annual Industrial Appraisal Report.
  • All duties assigned by management.
Skills:
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills with a proven record of sound judgment.
  • Ability to work both independently and as a part of a high functioning team.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to multitask and prioritize work.
  • Open, welcoming and positive interpersonal skills conducive to collaboration within a diverse and inclusive community.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree with seven years accounting experience.
  • Five years of experience with not-for-profit accounting and FASB standards. CPA preferred.
  • Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge and Excel is preferred.
  • LFCDS offers compensation between $90,000 and $110,000 based on experience and level of education and a competitive benefits package.
Mission Statement: Through inspired teaching and partnership with families, Lake Forest Country Day School nurtures a love of learning and builds a foundation of strong character, preparing
students to navigate their path with purpose.

Core Beliefs:

Childhood is championed: We center all we do on what is best for our students, protecting and building upon the magic of these precious years.

Community is our core: Honest and respectful relationships, formed through conversation and collaboration, build trust and a sense of belonging – honoring the dignity of every person.

Curiosity is a gift: Wonder is an animating force that resides in every person and should be modeled and nurtured to stimulate self-discovery, spark innovation, and drive creativity.

We aim high: Raising expectations activates the great potential we see in every person and elicits efforts that result in individual growth and the collective success of our community.

Professional Association Memberships:
NAIS, ISACS, LMAIS & INDEX

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, and the names of three professional references (personal statement optional) in PDF format to the attention of Tom Lasley, Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations, tom.lasley@lfcds.org, with the subject line “Controllerv Application”.

Lake Forest Country Day School seeks and embraces diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body. LFCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
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A co-educational independent private school for students age 2 through Grade 8.
Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.

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145 South Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045

P: 847-234-2350
F: 847-234-2352