Accounting Manager (Greater Chicago Area)

We’re looking for an experienced Accounting Manager to lead our accounting function in a manufacturing environment. This key role is responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, clear cost visibility, and timely financial insights. The Accounting Manager will oversee the month-end close, financial statements, general ledger, AP/AR, payroll and commissions coordination, tax and benefit-related accounting, and the performance of the accounting team. Working closely with the CEO, outside CPA, and cross-functional leaders, this position will help strengthen financial decision-making, improve processes, and safeguard confidential financial information.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Close and Reporting: Lead daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes; prepare financial statements, reconciliations, schedules, and management reporting; and review results with the CEO and outside CPA.
• General Ledger and Transaction Integrity: Maintain the general ledger and oversee AP, AR, receipts, vendor payments, customer collections, coding, documentation, and transaction classification with appropriate controls.
• Manufacturing Cost Accounting: Maintain product costing, inventory valuation, labor and overhead analysis, work-in-process review, margin visibility, and variance investigation.
• Sales Tax Compliance: Own sales tax compliance across all applicable jurisdictions, including preparing and filing returns, maintaining registrations, and monitoring changes in sales tax laws and requirements. Evaluate business activity for potential nexus and complete timely registration in new states, territories, or other jurisdictions as obligations arise. Maintain accurate documentation and audit-ready records to support compliance and reduce risk in the event of a sales tax audit.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop our team of two responsible for accounts receivable and accounts payable. Set clear priorities and performance expectations, review work for accuracy and timeliness, provide coaching and cross-training, conduct performance reviews, and foster a responsive, accountable, and customer service-oriented team.
• Systems, Controls, and Process Improvement: Strengthen accounting policies, procedures, documentation, controls, reporting, and system utilization across Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft 365, and related tools.
• Payroll, Commissions, and Benefits: Coordinate payroll, monthly commissions, 401(k) administration support, benefit-related accounting, required filings, and federal and state payroll tax deposits.
• Confidentiality and Business Support: Protect sensitive financial, payroll, employee, customer, and vendor information while supporting additional accounting and business needs as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• At least 5 years of accounting experience, financial statement preparation, reconciliations, and accounting department accountability.
• Manufacturing cost accounting experience, including inventory, labor, overhead, margin, and variance analysis.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, account reconciliation, internal controls, payroll, commissions, sales tax, and general tax compliance.
• Prior accounting supervisory or team-lead experience, including work review, priority setting, development, and accountability.
• ERP or accounting system experience, with the ability to improve reporting, workflows, controls, and system utilization; Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central experience preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with sound judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle sensitive financial and employee information with confidentiality.
• Experience supporting audits, CPA reviews, annual tax preparation, 401(k) administration, international orders, and VAT/GST or other applicable overseas sales requirements.
• Proven success improving accounting workflows, management reporting, ERP utilization, cost visibility, or internal controls in a growing manufacturing organization.