Financial Consultant (Part-time, hybrid)

Position Highlights:

• Part-time hybrid position
• Location: Chicago IL
• Compensation: $35-$55/hr
• Opportunity to advance educational equity in Chicago

Company Overview:

Erie Elementary Charter School (EECS) is a dual-language community-rooted public charter school serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade in Chicagos Humboldt Park and surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in partnership with the Erie Neighborhood House EECS provides a rigorous academic program that embraces students cultural heritage prioritizes bilingualism and biliteracy and fosters strong family and community engagement. Our mission is to educate students to become self-driven learners strong bilingual communicators and culturally confident leaders. As a charter school with a deep commitment to equity and excellence EECS seeks a Part-Time Financial Consultant to support our operational sustainability and ensure compliance with all financial regulations and public funding requirements.

Position Overview:

The Part-Time Financial Consultant will be directly responsible for preparing entering and submitting all financial budgets and compliance documentation including reports for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and federal programs. This hands-on role ensures financial accuracy transparency and compliance across all funding sources supporting EECSs ability to fulfill its mission and serve its community effectively.

What You Will Be Responsible For:

Budget Development & Management

• Lead the entire budgeting process including drafting the annual operating budget and collaborating with school leadership to align it with EECSs strategic goals.
• Enter final budgets into CPS systems (e.g. SIM Oracle) and ensure successful submission by required deadlines.
• Monitor budget performance throughout the year and make necessary adjustments and amendments.
• Produce interim financial documents as required e.g. comparison of actual revenue and expenses to budget forecast of year-end outcomes.
• Serve as primary contact with outside accounting firm.
• Coordinate with in-house staff in planning and reporting Title I II and IV federal grants.
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports to Principal and Board of Directors.
• Supervise in-house staff responsible for coding entries and reconciling accounts.

Compliance & Submission Oversight

• Prepare and submit all required compliance documents including:
  • CPS budgets and amendments
  • Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) documentation
  • Title I II and IV federal grant reports
  • ISBE grant budgets GATA submissions and IWAS entries
• Serve as the main liaison with CPS and ISBE regarding financial compliance and ensure timely responses to all requests and deadlines.

Grant & Fund Management

• Manage tracking and documentation of restricted funding sources to ensure appropriate use.
• Maintain organized audit-ready records for all grants and public funds.

Audit Preparation & Internal Controls

• Serve as primary contact with outside auditors as they prepare the annual audit.
• Lead preparation for the schools annual audit and ensure financial records and documentation are complete and accurate.
• Implement and maintain strong internal controls procurement policies and finance procedures.

Financial Reporting & Forecasting

• Provide monthly and quarterly reports to the Principal and Board of Directors.
• Prepare financial forecasts and long-term models to guide strategic planning.

What You Bring to the Role:

Required:

• Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting Business or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in financial management or accounting.
• Direct experience preparing and submitting budgets and compliance documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet strict deadlines independently.

Preferred:

• CPA MBA or similar advanced credentials.
• Experience working with Chicago charter schools or nonprofits.
• Familiarity with GATA IWAS and federal education grant compliance.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Sage Intacct or similar software.

Compensation Benefits and Job Structure:

• Flexible part-time (1020 hours/week) schedule with some remote work and on-site days and meetings required.
• Must be available for time-sensitive deadlines and periodic reporting to CPS ISBE and the Board.
• Role may be structured as contract-based or part-time W-2 depending on candidate availability.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume through the NextGroup website. The NextGroup search team will contact you regarding the next steps.

About NextGroup:

NextGroup is Chicagolands leading executive search firm and nonprofit talent network connecting mission-driven organizations with exceptional leaders who drive impact. We customize talent solutions with our nonprofit partners recruiting permanent fractional and interim professionals across executive leadership finance development and operations.

We have a network of 10000 professionals in Chicagoland and beyond. We reject cookie-cutter approaches and instead partner with you to build human capital strategies that match your unique growth and capacity-building needs. NextGroup also provides career coaching and transition services to professionals advancing in the social impact sector.