Accounts Receivable Specialist

Exemption Status: Exempt | Department: Accounting | Reports to: Controller

Benefits

• Year-round full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. Details are outlined in the 2026 A Guide to Your Benefits.

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 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 the candidate’s qualifications. Prior relevant work experience, secondary language proficiency, or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum based on these factors.

Opportunities for increased compensation include 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 prioritizes employee wellness across physical, mental, and financial pillars. We aim to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and work-life balance.

About the Role

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

• 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 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.

Requirements

• 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 systems 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 with 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.