VP of Accounting and Administration to CFO (Chicago)

Vice President of Accounting & Administration (If out of the Chicago area you must be able to relo within 1 year with our relo assistance) This is a Hybrid role.

Executive Leadership Role | Defined Path to CFO

[Location] | [Onsite/Hybrid]

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking an experienced accounting professional to take ownership of key accounting and financial operations across the firm. This is an excellent opportunity for someone coming from a CPA or public accounting environment who is ready to make their first move into an industry-based accounting and finance role .

The ideal candidate will bring strong accounting fundamentals, attention to detail, leadership experience, and a willingness to be hands-on. We value the skills developed in public accounting and are looking for someone who is ready to apply those skills in a business environment with greater ownership and responsibility.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist with the preparation and management of the General Ledger and monthly P&L statements.
• Oversee A/R, A/P, and payroll functions, including payroll processing through Paychex.
• Lead and manage a team of 10+ accounting staff, providing direction, support, and professional development.
• Oversee the production and reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Perform revenue and expense variance analysis and help identify trends, opportunities, and areas requiring attention.
• Work with the Sage accounting system and help ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
• Reconcile accrual-basis accounting records to cash-basis statements and other financial reporting.
• Oversee and prepare multiple commission calculations across the firm.
• Generate and maintain P&Ls for additional business units and at the department level.
• Serve as the firm's financial representative on a board overseeing three mutual funds and three ETFs.
• Supervise an office manager and provide oversight of administrative functions including phone systems, supplies, reception, and mail.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate manual accounting processes.
• Take a hands-on approach to improving accounting and financial processes as the organization grows.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• CPA preferred, but public accounting experience will be highly valued .
• Approximately 5–8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in a CPA/public accounting environment.
• Experience managing or mentoring an accounting team; experience managing 5+ employees is preferred.
• Strong understanding of general accounting, financial statements, reconciliations, and P&L reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze revenue and expense variances.
• Experience with Sage or a similar accounting system is a plus.
• Experience in asset management, financial services, or another industry environment is a plus, but not required .
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and take ownership of projects.
• Hands-on, action-oriented work style with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and solve problems.
• Experience improving, streamlining, or automating manual accounting processes.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with both accounting and non-accounting professionals.

WHY THIS ROLE

This position is particularly well suited for an accounting professional who has built a strong foundation in public accounting and is ready for their first industry role . You will have the opportunity to move beyond serving clients and take direct ownership of the accounting, reporting, and financial operations of a business.

If you are ready to leverage your CPA-firm experience in a role where you can own processes, lead a team, work directly with business leadership, and see the impact of your work , this could be an excellent next step in your career.