Botanic Gardens Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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:

• 2026 A Guide to Your Benefits JP.pdf

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.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

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 ensuring the accurate and timely recording of cash receipts and revenue activity across the Chicago Botanic Garden and its affiliates. This position reconciles daily point-of-sale systems, payment processors, and bank activity to the accounting records, maintains accounts receivable transactions, prepares journal entries and reconciliations, and supports the integrity of revenue reporting through strong internal controls and collaboration with operational departments.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will be responsible for the following:

• Process and record daily cash receipts, including checks, ACH payments, wire transfers, electronic funds transfers, and credit card activity in the accounting system.
• Reconcile daily deposits from multiple point-of-sale, ticketing, membership, retail, and other revenue systems to bank activity and the general ledger, investigating and resolving discrepancies as needed.
• Monitor daily bank activity for incoming ACH and wire transfers, research unidentified deposits, communicate receipts to appropriate stakeholders, and ensure timely recording in the accounting system.
• Prepare and maintain accounts receivable transactions, payment application, account maintenance, aging review, and appropriate follow-up on outstanding balances.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc journal entries related to cash receipts and revenue activity, ensuring accuracy and completeness during the monthly and year-end close processes.
• Assist with monthly financial reporting by preparing reconciliations, supporting schedules, and with audit documentation related to cash receipts and accounts receivable.
• Administer and reconcile petty cash in accordance with organizational policies and internal controls.
• Maintain organized accounting records and supporting documentation in accordance with the organization's record retention policies.
• Support and strengthen internal controls over the cash receipts and revenue cycle by investigating variances, obtaining supporting documentation, and working collaboratively with departments to resolve discrepancies.
• Identify opportunities to improve revenue reconciliation processes, reporting, and operational efficiency while providing support on special projects and other accounting initiatives as assigned.
• Cross-train on accounting functions to support departmental coverage and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Controller to support the Garden's accounting and financial operations.

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
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Excel and computerized accounting system required
• Knowledge of Blackbaud products Financial Edge and Raiser’s Edge preferred
• Knowledge of Gateway Ticketing Systems’ Galaxy Connect a plus

Physical Demands:

Office setting. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, and scanners. 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.