Controller

About ARDC

At the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), our work protects the public and strengthens the legal profession. Serving the Supreme Court of Illinois, we register and support attorneys, deliver education and outreach, and administer a fair disciplinary process. Our role is both regulatory and restorative: we hold the profession accountable while helping preserve the integrity the public relies on.

We hold ourselves to the same high standards we ask of others, and we do it in a respectful, collaborative, mission-driven workplace where expertise is valued and good work is noticed.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Controller who wants to do more than keep the books balanced. In this role, you’ll lead ARDC’s accounting function as a key member of our administrative and financial leadership team, making sure every number we report is accurate, timely, and trustworthy. You’ll own the month-end close, keep our financial operations firmly grounded in GAAP, mentor a Staff Accountant, and serve as the primary partner to our external auditors.

You’ll also be joining at an exciting moment. ARDC is implementing a new ERP system, and you’ll have a real hand in shaping how our financial operations run for years to come.

What You’ll Do

*Financial Accounting & Reporting*

You’ll be the steward of ARDC’s books, maintaining all records on an accrual basis in full accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). You’ll lead a timely, accurate month-end close, from journal entries and accruals through financial statement preparation, and make sure every statement-of-financial-position account is fully reconciled, including bank and investment accounts, receivables, payables, and other balance sheet items. Beyond the close, you’ll prepare internal financial reports and give leadership the analysis they need to make well-informed decisions.

*Operational Accounting Oversight*

You’ll supervise and mentor our Staff Accountant, providing the guidance, training, and feedback that help them grow. You’ll oversee the accounts payable workflow so vendors are paid accurately and on time with the right controls in place, and you’ll prepare semi-monthly payroll with the accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance it demands. Working hand in hand with our Registration Department, you’ll also reconcile incoming cash receipts and keep classification and deposit controls sound.

*Audit, Compliance & Controls*

When audit season arrives, you’ll be the primary point of contact for our annual financial audit, coordinating schedules, preparing documentation, and responding to auditor inquiries. Throughout the year, you’ll maintain and strengthen the internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures that keep ARDC’s finances sound and accountable.

*Systems & Process Improvement*

This is where you can leave a lasting mark. As a key participant in our new ERP implementation, you’ll help define requirements, evaluate vendors, redesign processes, and test the system. We’ll also look to you to spot opportunities to streamline how we work and to expand what our financial reporting can do.

What You’ll Bring

You hold a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and are a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). You have demonstrated experience with accrual-basis accounting and GAAP compliance, along with a strong command of month-end close processes, reconciliations, and internal controls. You’ve supervised accounting staff or led an accounting function, and you’re proficient with accounting systems and Microsoft Office tools.

It’s a plus if you’ve worked in a nonprofit, governmental, or regulatory environment, or if you’ve been part of an ERP implementation or major systems upgrade.

Why This Role Matters

Public trust is at the heart of everything ARDC does, and that includes how we manage our own house. As Controller, you’ll ensure our internal financial practices reflect the same professionalism, integrity, and accountability that define our mission. It’s work with a clear purpose, and a chance to see your expertise make a real difference.

What We Offer

We’re committed to a culture of inclusion where every team member can do their best work. You’ll enjoy a hybrid schedule, a congenial work atmosphere, and excellent benefits. The targeted salary range is $120,000 to $150,000, with final salary based on your experience and qualifications.

The ARDC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to employment@iardc.org to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Pay: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60601