What We're About

Are you ready for a mission? The next generation of leaders needs your help.

At ThinkCERCA, we believe critical thinking is the catalyst for change. We build software to teach critical thinking skills by helping students become better writers. Bill Gates called our tools "game-changing" and we’ve seen great results.

But there’s still more we can do.

We’re looking for talented and collaborative team members who are passionate about education and improving the lives of students and teachers.

Sound like you? We'd love to hear from you.

Our Commitment to Diversity

ThinkCERCA’s core values act as a guiding force for the entire team. These values place a specific emphasis on our desire to create and sustain a diverse and inclusive environment for everyone we encounter.

As a team of 35-plus employees, we recognize the importance of bringing a wide range of perspectives to a company that works with a diverse population of students, teachers, families, and administrators. The continued evolution of our product is dependent on the diverse mix of voices and backgrounds from our team.

To be diverse, ThinkCERCA works to recruit, hire, and retain employees from all walks of life. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ancestry, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, ability, or military status. In fact, we love celebrating and learning from the diverse voices that our team brings together. Everyone is welcome here.

To be an inclusive environment for all, ThinkCERCA expects all staff to contribute to and refine our diversity and inclusion practices. It is each person’s responsibility to make all team members feel welcome. We appreciate when our colleagues share their background and experiences in order to continually improve upon our product and services.

The work to create such an environment does not end with hiring. We provide employees with professional development opportunities and trainings throughout the year on topics such as recognizing unconscious bias, giving growth-mindset feedback, and building cultural competency. The work to create a welcoming and diverse environment is never finished—we're looking for team members who will continually push to make ThinkCERCA's culture better.

What We’re Looking for In Candidates

People Who Take Ownership

We believe that everyone within the organization is a leader and owner of our work. No matter your role, you are expected to “own” your responsibilities until they are delivered, including the challenges along the way.

People Who Collaborate

We believe in approaching every aspect of our work as an opportunity to be collaborative partners with all stakeholders, both internal and external. We are looking for team members who embrace collaboration–in any form that is comfortable to them–and who do so in a way that’s understanding, respectful, and appreciative of diverse perspectives and ideas.

People Who Amplify Those Around Them

We value those who seek to improve every aspect of the business, even if it does not have a direct and obvious correlation to their direct role. This is what makes organizational learning scalable across the entire company.

People Who Deliver Results

We want team members who are consistently delivering quantifiable outputs with a high standard of quality, methodology, and timeliness. Each and every day, you are expected to take the appropriate actions to ensure results and communicate about your progress along the way.

People With a Commitment to Learning

ThinkCERCA is a company built upon data- and actuals-driven decision-making. We are looking for colleagues who are diligent about testing hypotheses in order to get to the right solutions quickly.

Corporate Controller

Chicago, IL

Full Time

ThinkCERCA

Experienced

OVERVIEW – ABOUT THINKCERCA

ThinkCERCA is an education technology platform company designed to deliver comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum for teachers and students. The company serves school districts nationwide. We're on a mission to make these results a reality for all students across the country and we are a leader in AI for education and literacy growth.

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about education and is interested in joining a fast-paced startup as a finance leader to drive our company to the next level. A CPA is required. Experience in a SaaS company is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Set the strategic direction for the implementation, improvement, and maintenance of the accounting systems and processes to scale with business growth
Guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures
Protect assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls
Manage accounting functions, including daily accounting operations, payroll, tax, financial close and reporting, invoicing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense management, revenue recognition, and general ledger
Produce monthly financial statements, management reports, and budget performance reports
Prepare internal and external financial reporting for management team reviews, board meetings, and investor presentations
Lead local, state, and federal government tax and business filings and requirements
Lead and serve as the key relationship manager for external financial reviews or auditors
Provide support on special requests and ad-hoc projects as necessary
Build relationships with leaders and operators across departments to QC data and develop improvements to the system

Required Knowledge & Expertise

At least 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting roles in both public accounting and early stagestartup environments
2+ years experience as lead controller for SaaS business with $5 million+ in revenues
Strong understanding of SaaS accounting and metrics
Recent experience working at a company with rapid and large-scale growth
Deep familiarity with US GAAP requirements for tech/software companies (e.g. rev rec)
Certified Public Accountant
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; strong experience with Excel

Skills

Ability to handle multiple and sometimes competing priorities; comfortable with multiple daily responsibilities; and managing change where required
Ability to think deeply and qualitatively about business problems, breaking down issues and presenting solutions
Data-driven and analytical. Innate problem solver. Proactive in finding problems AND arriving at a variety of creative solutions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group, of executives, managers, and subject matter experts.
Work independently with users to define concepts and under the direction of internal stakeholders
Ability to collaborate and work effectively with remote team
Impeccable integrity and ethical standards

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