Finance Manager

Job Category: Full-time (20-30 hours per week), non-supervisory, temporary

Duration: 18-24 months

Experience: Bachelor’s degree in public/not-for-profit accounting, administration, finance, or related discipline; 3-5 years of experience working with and/or as an auditor, especially in the public/not-for-profit sector

Compensation: $45.00 to $50.00 per hour

Date Created: January 22, 2026

About Blackhawk Hills Regional Council (BHRC)

BHRC is Northwest Illinois’ regional planning organization and EDA-designated Economic Development District. We provide community, economic, and natural resources planning and implementation support in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, and Whiteside counties.

About the Region

The Blackhawk Hills region features small cities, rural vistas, and interesting terrain, including the iconic Mississippi River, rugged Driftless Area, and gently rolling Rock River Hills. We are within a two-hour drive of major metropolitan areas like Chicago, IL, Madison, WI, and the Quad Cities (IL/IA).

About the Position

In close coordination with BHRC’s executive director, office manager, and secretary/treasurer, the Finance Manager will first and primarily be responsible for reviewing records pertaining to past/current BHRC fiscal years, ensuring that documentation is available in a format that is accessible and accurate, allowing our third-party auditor to efficiently audit multiple years. BHRC’s fiscal year begins in April. BHRC annual state and federal expenditures are well below $1 million annually, and its typical operations and maintenance budget ranges roughly from $250,000 to $750,000.

Essential Functions

Working with BHRC staff (in particular, the executive director and office manager) and its third-party auditor to supply timely information and analysis as required for GAAS and GAGAS-level audits
Reviewing BHRC’s accounting systems with respect to GAAP and transitioning them to be fully compliant with GAAP
Preparing all financial documentation for BHRC required annually by state/federal/private agencies
Updating organizational policies and procedures in support of the above functions

Other Functions

Supporting BHRC’s state/federal/private award administration, especially financial reporting
Supporting various BHRC planning/technical assistance initiatives for local governments and not-for-profits, such as: good financial governance advising and training; capital improvement plan development; program/project financing, especially housing
Other functions as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Capable of working amiably, communicating clearly, following up reliably with BHRC staff and various stakeholders and agencies, including BHRC’s third-party auditor
Interested in people; personable and empathetic; capable of building long-term relationships
Proficient/fluent in: GAAP; GAAS and GAGAS, with working knowledge of undergoing such levels of auditing from start to finish; accounting/auditing software (Aplos a plus); Google apps, especially Sheets; Microsoft Office apps, especially Excel
Familiar with: statistical analysis; public/not-for-profit budgeting and finance; grant administration; federal/Illinois state grant rules (CFR, GATA, etc.); Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Northwest Illinois
Interest in: regional planning and community/economic development; single and multi-family housing finance and capital stack assembly
Capable of analyzing complex information, producing accurate analyses, and drawing data-based conclusions
Conscious of deadlines; able to submit project deliverables in a prompt and organized manner
Creative but takes direction; confident but possesses sound judgement
Comfortable working alone, in groups, at home, and with others

Employee Benefits

Paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; paid holidays
Health insurance
Simplified employee pension individual retirement account
Discretionary pay/annual bonus
Annual cost of living adjustment
Cell phone stipend
Flextime
Paid professional development, conference attendance, and educational materials
Remote work available (some travel to BHRC’s office may be required initially)

Start of Work and Application Information

By March 2, 2026
Please email cover letter, résumé, references, and any relevant supporting documentation to info@blackhawkhills.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45.00 - $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 30 per week

Benefits:

Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Paid parental leave
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Accounting/Auditing: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rock Falls, IL 61071

Blackhawk Hills Regional Council

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Finance Manager