Client Accounting Services Manager (Greater Chicago Area)

About the Role

DSWD's Client Accounting Services (CAS) practice delivers outsourced accounting and advisory support to independent RIA and wealth management firms. As we continue to grow, we're seeking an experienced accounting professional at the Supervisor, Manager, or Senior Manager level to join our team. In this role, you will work under the direction of the Department Leader, supporting existing client engagements by reviewing accounting work, overseeing staff and offshore resources, and ensuring the quality and timeliness of client deliverables. As you demonstrate readiness, you will take on greater ownership of assigned client relationships, with a clear path to expanded responsibility and advancement within the practice.

This is an ideal opportunity for a detail-oriented accounting professional who combines sound technical judgment with strong leadership and client-facing skills, and who is looking to grow into a client-ownership role within a specialized, fast-growing CAS practice.

What You'll Do

• Support existing client relationships and progressively assume ownership of assigned clients as you demonstrate readiness and capability.
• Review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and supporting accounting work prepared by staff and offshore team members, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Manage engagement workflows, deadlines, and deliverables across a portfolio of assigned clients, proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks.
• Supervise, train, and direct the work of accounting staff and outsourced/offshore resources, providing feedback and ensuring quality control.
• Coordinate closely with Elevate's tax team on tax projections, return preparation, and related planning matters to ensure a seamless client experience.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, helping them interpret and understand their financial results and translating numbers into actionable insight rather than simply delivering a report.
• Identify opportunities to improve client processes, internal controls, and reporting workflows.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of CAS practice standards, procedures, and best practices as the team scales.

What You'll Need: Required

• A minimum of 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, including demonstrated ownership of recurring monthly/quarterly close cycles, financial statement preparation, and reconciliations, or comparable ongoing accounting responsibilities in a public accounting, outsourced accounting, or corporate accounting environment.
• At least 2–3 years of experience directly managing, training, or directing the work of accounting staff and/or outsourced or offshore accounting resources, including reviewing their work product and providing constructive feedback.
• A proven track record serving as the primary point of contact for clients on accounting, financial reporting, or CAS engagements, including the ability to independently manage client relationships and expectations.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and general accounting principles, with the ability to identify and resolve technical accounting issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-accountant audiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple client engagements and competing deadlines simultaneously.
• A high degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment, given the sensitive nature of client financial data.
• Proficiency with cloud-based accounting software and general comfort adopting new technology and workflow tools.

Nice to Have

• Active CPA license or CPA candidacy.
• Hands-on experience with QuickBooks Online, including multi-entity or multi-client environments.
• Prior experience serving RIA, wealth management, or financial services clients.
• Prior experience specifically within a Client Accounting Services (CAS) or outsourced accounting practice.
• Experience with practice management or workflow tools commonly used in CAS environments (e.g., Karbon, Financial Cents, or similar).
• Experience contributing to process standardization or team scaling within a growing accounting practice.