Retail Financial Controller Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About the Role

The Controller is responsible for leading the full accounting function for Ace Retail Group (ARG), ensuring enterprise-level financial integrity, governance, and reporting accuracy across a multi-entity, $800M+ retail organization. This role owns the accounting strategy, internal control environment, and financial reporting processes, and serves as a key finance partner to senior leadership to support business performance and decision-making.

About Ace Retail Group

Ace Retail Group (ARG) is a division of Ace Hardware Corporation that owns and operates several well-known Ace brands, including Westlake Ace, Great Lakes Ace, Buikema’s Ace, Outer Banks Ace, Dennis Company, and Breed & Company. As one of the largest hardware retailers in the United States, ARG operates more than 250 neighborhood stores nationwide and maintains its headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas.

With roots dating back over a century, ARG’s success is driven by its people. What truly sets us apart in the industry is our commitment to hiring and developing individuals who are passionate about personal and professional growth and who want to be part of a company built on strong, enduring Core Values: Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility and Teamwork

What You’ll Do

Financial Leadership & Reporting

• Own the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting across a multi-entity retail organization
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including consolidation and financial statement preparation in accordance with GAAP
• Ensure consistency and rigor in general ledger management and account reconciliation processes

Governance, Controls & Audit

• Establish and maintain a strong internal control environment and financial governance structure
• Own audit readiness and lead internal and external audit processes, including issue resolution and remediation
• Develop, implement, and enforce accounting policies, standards, and compliance requirements across the organization

Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and scale a high-performing accounting organization aligned to business needs
• Establish clear accountability, performance expectations, and operational discipline within the team
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and capability building across the function

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as a key finance partner to senior leadership, providing financial insights to support strategic decision-making and business performance
• Partner closely with FP&A, Finance, and operational leaders to evaluate financial results, risks, and opportunities
• Support executive-level initiatives related to growth, integration, and organizational alignment

Process & Systems Optimization

• Drive continuous improvement of accounting processes, systems, and workflows to enhance efficiency, scalability, and accuracy
• Lead efforts to standardize processes across a multi-location, multi-entity structure
• Leverage automation and system capabilities to strengthen financial operations

What You Bring
 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (CPA strongly preferred)
• Progressive accounting leadership experience, including responsibility for a multi-entity or multi-location organization
• Deep expertise in GAAP, financial reporting, and accounting operations
• Demonstrated ownership of full-cycle financial close processes, including consolidation and financial statement oversight
• Experience establishing and leading internal controls, financial governance, and audit processes
• Proven ability to operate within organizations of similar scale and complexity, ideally supporting a business generating approximately $800M+ in annual revenue
• Experience partnering with senior leadership to support financial and operational decision-making
• Strong understanding of financial systems, data integrity, and process scalability
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights

What Sets You Apart

• Experience within a multi-location retail or consumer-facing business
• Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, or organizational transformation
• Track record of strengthening financial controls and scaling processes in a growing organization

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a large, multi-entity retail organization
• Exposure to executive leadership and strategic business priorities
• Ability to shape the accounting function, governance model, and operating structure
• Backed by the strength and stability of Ace Hardware Corporation
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