Corporate Accounting Manager

Job Description

Corporate Accounting Manager

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Location: North Suburban Chicago, IL

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Work Arrangement: Onsite, 5 Days per Week

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About the Opportunity

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We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Accounting Manager to lead key aspects of our client's corporate accounting function and to oversee the monthly financial close and reporting processes. This highly visible position will partner closely with finance leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure the delivery of accurate, timely financial information while driving process improvements and standardization across the organization.

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The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented accounting professional with strong leadership skills, a passion for continuous improvement, and experience managing a team in a dynamic business environment.

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Key Responsibilities

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Financial Reporting & Close Management

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• Lead and manage the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close process to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
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• Prepare monthly financial reporting packages and present results to management.
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• Review account reconciliations and financial results to ensure accuracy and compliance with company policies.
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• Monitor and improve close procedures to enhance efficiency and reporting quality.
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Budgeting & Forecasting Support

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• Coordinate the annual budgeting process for corporate cost centers.
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• Support monthly and quarterly budget-to-actual reporting and analysis.
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• Partner with finance and operational leaders to provide meaningful financial insights and reporting.
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Corporate Accounting Operations

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• Oversee intercompany accounting activities, including monthly balance reconciliations across business units.
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• Maintain and manage fixed asset accounting for domestic operations.
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• Ensure the integrity of general ledger activity and adherence to accounting standards and internal controls.
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• Collaborate with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and other departments to ensure accurate financial reporting.
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Process Improvement & Standardization

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• Drive accounting process improvements and best practices to enhance consistency and efficiency.
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• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, strengthen controls, and improve reporting accuracy.
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• Support system optimization efforts and the standardization of accounting procedures across the organization.
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Leadership & Team Development

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• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of accounting professionals, including direct oversight of Staff Accountants.
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• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
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• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and career development support to team members.
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Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
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• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
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• Strong understanding of general accounting principles and financial reporting.
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• Experience managing month-end close processes in a multi-entity environment.
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• Proven ability to lead teams and develop accounting talent.
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• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
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• Experience with ERP systems; SAP experience is preferred.
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• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
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• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities with a collaborative approach.
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Preferred Experience

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• Public accounting experience is a plus.
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• Experience supporting multiple domestic and/or international entities.
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• Demonstrated success implementing accounting process improvements and standardization initiatives.
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What Success Looks Like

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The successful Accounting Manager will:

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• Deliver accurate and timely financial reporting.
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• Maintain an efficient and disciplined close process.
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• Partner effectively across departments to improve reporting integrity.
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• Develop and mentor a high-performing accounting team.
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• Drive continuous improvement and standardization within the accounting function.
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If you are a proactive accounting leader who enjoys balancing technical accounting responsibilities with team development and process improvement, we encourage you to apply.

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About Katalyst Group

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Katalyst Group is a provider of executive search, project and interim placement solutions with expertise in supporting Accounting, Finance, and Business Transformation executives with special projects created by workforce gaps. As a human capital partner for our clients, we solve business problems across organizations in the areas of Risk and Compliance, Governance, and Technology.

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Katalyst was founded in 2019 to help finance executives rapidly assemble project resources to address special projects, and recruit individuals for key hires within their respective organizations. The Katalyst team are former accounting, finance, program and project management professionals who have made a career of curating networks and connecting the dots. Our values-based culture extends to those we engage; therefore, we are selective and discerning about the organizations we support to ensure they are a good fit for those we represent.

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