Senior Accountant

Description Senior Accountant – Location: Chicago | Department: Finance | FLSA Status: Exempt We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. The Senior Accountant is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting for Olde Thompson. This role leads key aspects of the month-end close process and supports financial reporting across all manufacturing locations (4 plants – 3 US-based and 1 in Vietnam). The position maintains strong internal controls, supports audit and compliance requirements, and partners with cross-functional teams to improve financial processes and reporting accuracy. This role requires ownership, technical accounting expertise, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment. Position Responsibilities Accounting Hygiene & Fundamentals: Maintain understanding of core balance sheet accounts (prepaids, accruals, deposits, deferred items); ensure accurate classification, amortization, and cutoff. Lease accounting: Reconcile lease-related balances, including right-of-use (ROU) assets and related liabilities. Cutoff practices: Apply consistent and accurate cutoff for revenue, expenses, and liabilities across reporting periods. Documentation: Ensure all balance sheet accounts have audit-ready documentation with aging, roll forwards, and explanations of reconciling items. Issue resolution: Identify, investigate, and resolve aged or unusual balances; escalate as appropriate. Journal entries: Maintain discipline around journal entry preparation with proper support and internal controls. Subledger integrity: Ensure AR, AP, inventory, and fixed assets subledgers tie to the general ledger. Policy consistency: Maintain consistency in accounting treatment and identify areas needing policy clarification or improvement. Close process: Support a clean and efficient close by minimizing post-close adjustments and rework. ERP data accuracy: Own data accuracy within the ERP environment and ensure transactions are recorded in the correct period and accounts. Close & Financial Reporting: Lead assigned components of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, including journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations. Reconcile balance sheet accounts with supporting documentation. Perform detailed variance analysis (P&L, balance sheet, working capital, free cash flow) and provide actionable explanations to management. Support preparation and submission of monthly group reporting packages, including trial balance mapping, intercompany reporting, and consolidation inputs. Accounts Receivable, Payable & Financial Risk: Oversee AR and AP accounting activities with focus on accuracy, cutoff, and financial risk mitigation. Review aging reports and assess collectability; support bad debt reserve analysis. Monitor AP aging and payment cycles; coordinate with offshore teams to strengthen internal controls around invoicing, collections, vendor payments, and approvals. Monitor and account for factoring and supplier financing programs. Identify risks related to credit exposure, vendor concentration, and liquidity; escalate as needed. PP&E and Lease Accounting: Maintain and reconcile fixed asset subledger (additions, disposals, transfers, depreciation). Ensure proper capitalization per policy. Review CapEx projects and related accounting. Account for leases (ROU assets and lease liabilities) under IFRS 16; prepare lease schedules, amortization, and disclosures. Ensure asset valuations and periodic impairment support. Inventory, Controls & Compliance: Support inventory accounting, variance analysis, NRV and reserves assessments. Understand inventory write-off processes and management of obsolete inventory and related reporting. Ad-hoc needs: Support tax activities (property tax, sales/use tax, 1099), EPR reporting, budget support, overheads reporting, PO mapping, and process improvements including automation. Occasional travel to Oxnard or NJ as needed. Position Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance Minimum of five (5) years of progressive accounting experience Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting standards (IFRS) Experience with ERP systems; SAP ERP is an asset; Plex is our ERP (training provided) Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis) CPA or CPA-eligible preferred Experience in manufacturing, food industry, or inventory-heavy environment preferred Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to collaborate across teams and geographies Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $71,000 – $95,000 annually, based on responsibilities and geographic location. Actual pay may be based on experience and qualifications. Performance-based bonuses: Discretionary bonus rewarding company performance and individual contributions where eligible. Benefits: Comprehensive and affordable benefits coverage designed to support your wellbeing and financial future. Well-being & Family Support: Paid volunteer time off, access to events, resources, and learning opportunities; paid parental leave and fertility benefits. Additional Perks: Vacation from Day 1; paid sick leave; company holidays; 401(k) match on Day 1; career growth and learning opportunities. EEO & Notice We provide equal opportunity for all persons in hiring without discrimination on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, contact View email address on click.appcast.io. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; other duties may be assigned as needed. #J-18808-Ljbffr