Accounts Receivable Specialist

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Accounting

Reports to: Controller

Year-round Full-time

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide - Year-Round Full-time

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate's qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate's salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual's contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview: The Accounts Receivable Specialist is responsible for processing all daily cash received at the Chicago Botanic Garden and affiliates. Record all receipts to sub-ledger and general ledger. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and year-end journal entries. Maintain Accounts Receivable Aging and assist with other special projects as required.

Responsibilities

In the Accounts Receivable Specialist role, you will be responsible for the following:

• Deposit checks through remote scanner. Record all cash, checks, credit card transactions, and EFTs into the accounting financial system, Financial Edge. Resolve any discrepancies in these receipts to the various point-of-sale systems used by the Garden. Take any coins to the bank at the end of each month. Retrieve reports and deposit support from Visitors Center three times per week.
• Monitor bank activity for incoming ACH and wire transfers. Notify stakeholders of receipt and record in accounting system. May require investigation on purpose of funds or source of the transfer.
• Count, disburse and reconcile Petty Cash quarterly.
• Manage accounts receivable system. Creating and sending periodic invoices, creating schedules in Excel for import into accounts receivable. Review aging reports and communicate with clients when necessary.
• Perform administrative and clerical tasks, such as filing and maintaining records on network.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and year-end journal entries, assist with monthly financial reports and preparation of related audit schedules.
• Assist with maintaining internal controls throughout the cash receipt process. This involves inquiries and collecting documentation from various staff members to support any discrepancies with deposits.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum of three years of work experience in accounting
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field preferred
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills and excellent communications skills
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Excel and computerized accounting system required
• Knowledge of Blackbaud Products Financial Edge and Raiser's Edge a plus
• Knowledge of Gateway Ticketing Systems' Galaxy Connect a plus

Physical Demands:

Office setting. Listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment, including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds.

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.