Senior Manager - Accounting & Financial Operations

Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations

Company Overview

• Our client is an established organization with a strong presence in Chicago and a sophisticated accounting and finance function. The company operates in a collaborative, service-oriented environment that emphasizes financial accuracy, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• The organization is seeking an experienced Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations to provide leadership across key transactional accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, and related financial operations.
• This highly visible management opportunity offers responsibility for leading accounting professionals, strengthening financial controls, improving departmental procedures, and implementing initiatives that enhance operational performance.

Location, Compensation & Benefits

• Location: Downtown Chicago, IL
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
• Base Salary: $140,000–$160,000
• Additional Compensation: Annual bonus
• Employment Type: Full-time

Why This Opportunity

• Join an established organization with a sophisticated accounting and finance infrastructure
• Take ownership of critical accounting operations and contribute to broader financial performance
• Lead and develop experienced accounting professionals across multiple functional areas
• Play an important part in shaping departmental priorities, improving processes, and strengthening financial controls
• Work closely with senior accounting leadership and stakeholders throughout the organization
• Work in a collaborative environment that values initiative, accountability, and independent decision-making
• Enjoy a hybrid schedule offering flexibility and regular collaboration with finance leadership

Position Overview

• The Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations will oversee the organization's accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, and related transactional accounting activities.
• This individual will provide leadership to accounting personnel responsible for payment processing, receivables management, and financial administration while ensuring operational accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with established procedures.
• The position requires a combination of strategic thinking and hands-on management. The successful candidate will establish performance expectations, evaluate financial trends, strengthen internal controls, and identify opportunities to improve workflows through technology and automation.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Financial Oversight

• Provide overall leadership for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and collections activities, ensuring consistent execution of departmental responsibilities
• Oversee high-volume financial transactions and maintain accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal accounting standards
• Review existing accounting processes and implement improvements that enhance operational efficiency
• Ensure appropriate controls are maintained across payment processing, receivables administration, and related financial activities
• Monitor departmental performance and address operational issues affecting financial accuracy or service delivery
• Coordinate monthly closing requirements associated with payable and receivable balances
• Review account reconciliations and supporting financial information to ensure general ledger accuracy
• Support financial reporting requirements and maintain appropriate accounting documentation
• Partner with internal stakeholders to resolve financial and operational matters

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop accounting professionals across multiple functional areas
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability throughout the department
• Provide guidance and support to employees responsible for transactional accounting and financial administration
• Evaluate employee performance, identify development opportunities, and implement training initiatives
• Support onboarding, knowledge sharing, and professional development within the accounting function
• Coordinate departmental workloads and ensure timely completion of recurring responsibilities
• Foster a collaborative environment focused on accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement
• Provide leadership during process changes, system enhancements, and operational initiatives

Accounts Receivable & Collections

• Oversee accounts receivable administration and collections processes to support timely cash recovery
• Evaluate outstanding receivables, aging trends, and collection performance
• Partner with accounting personnel to identify and resolve payment discrepancies
• Review customer payment application processes and ensure accurate financial records
• Analyze receivables performance and communicate findings to finance leadership
• Develop strategies to improve collections efficiency and reduce outstanding balances
• Establish appropriate reporting and performance indicators for receivables activities
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to resolve complex account-related matters

Accounts Payable Management

• Oversee the complete accounts payable process, including invoice processing, approvals, payment scheduling, and transaction accuracy
• Ensure vendor payments are processed accurately and in accordance with established procedures
• Evaluate processing workloads and identify opportunities to eliminate inefficiencies
• Strengthen controls surrounding payment authorization, documentation, and financial recordkeeping
• Monitor payable activity and resolve escalated processing issues
• Support improvements to invoice workflows, approval procedures, and payment processing systems
• Maintain appropriate documentation and reporting related to accounts payable activities

Process Improvement & Financial Systems

• Evaluate existing accounting workflows and identify opportunities to improve productivity, accuracy, and internal controls
• Lead initiatives involving process redesign, workflow optimization, and operational automation
• Partner with finance and technology personnel on system enhancements and implementation projects
• Develop and maintain documented accounting procedures and operational guidelines
• Establish measurable performance indicators across accounting functions
• Prepare recurring management reports highlighting operational results, outstanding issues, and opportunities for improvement
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes and improve financial reporting capabilities
• Support employee training and communication when new systems or procedures are introduced
• Implement scalable accounting practices that support changing organizational needs

Compliance, Reporting & Departmental Administration

• Support compliance with internal accounting policies, financial controls, and applicable reporting requirements
• Coordinate documentation and supporting schedules requested during internal or external audit activities
• Oversee administrative compliance requirements involving vendor documentation, annual information reporting, and unclaimed property matters
• Maintain appropriate safeguards around confidential financial information and payment records
• Establish annual departmental objectives aligned with broader accounting and finance priorities
• Monitor progress toward operational goals and recommend adjustments when necessary
• Provide recommendations to finance leadership regarding resource allocation, process improvements, and operational challenges
• Support additional accounting and finance initiatives as business needs evolve

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in accounting operations, including significant responsibility across accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Demonstrated experience managing high-volume, full-cycle accounts payable operations
• Strong background overseeing receivables administration, collections activities, and related financial processes
• Previous experience supervising accounting managers, team leads, or multiple accounting personnel
• Proven ability to improve operational performance through process redesign, stronger controls, and more effective workflows
• Experience establishing departmental goals, monitoring performance indicators, and communicating results to senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and their application to payable and receivable transactions
• Experience reviewing financial reconciliations and supporting monthly close activities
• Demonstrated success coaching employees, providing constructive feedback, and developing team capabilities
• Ability to manage complex accounting operations while remaining involved in detailed problem-solving and employee training
• Experience creating, documenting, and implementing accounting policies and standard operating procedures
• Familiarity with financial system implementations, workflow improvements, or automation initiatives
• Experience using enterprise accounting, financial management, or ERP platforms
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret financial data, identify trends, and recommend appropriate actions