Accounting Manager (Greater Chicago Area)

Compensation: $110,000-$125,000 + year end bonus

Location: Schaumburg, IL

Client: Project based Lighting and Construction

Senior Accountant – General Ledger & Financial Reporting

Growing, privately held business with a nationwide customer base is looking for an experienced Senior Accountant to join its accounting team. The company operates in a project-oriented environment and works across multiple areas of commercial distribution and related services.

This is a hands-on accounting position with significant responsibility for general ledger activity, month-end close, account reconciliations, financial reporting, and accounting process improvement.

Work closely with the company's senior accounting leadership and collaborate with colleagues supporting accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other financial operations.

This opportunity is well suited for an accountant who enjoys working independently, investigating discrepancies, improving processes, and taking ownership of accurate and timely financial information.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare journal entries and supporting schedules for monthly and year-end close activities
• Maintain and review general ledger accounts for accuracy and proper classification
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate outstanding items
• Analyze income statement activity and research significant or unusual variances
• Maintain accounting schedules for accruals, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, inventory, commissions, and other balance sheet accounts
• Review transactions for accuracy and prepare corrections when necessary
• Work with AP and AR personnel to resolve classification, cutoff, and general ledger issues
• Assist with monthly financial statements and internal management reporting
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow analysis, and other financial projects
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation for outside accountants, auditors, insurers, and tax professionals
• Assist with sales-tax and other state and local reporting requirements
• Help maintain and improve accounting procedures, documentation, and internal controls
• Identify opportunities to make the close and reporting process more efficient
• Provide accounting guidance and support to other members of the finance team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
• Strong experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end close
• Working knowledge of GAAP and accrual accounting
• Ability to analyze financial statements and investigate P&L fluctuations
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and financial-data analysis
• Experience working with an ERP or accounting software platform
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational ability
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced business environment

Experience in one or more of the following environments is highly desirable:

• Distribution or wholesale
• Electrical or lighting
• Construction or construction-related services
• Project-based businesses
• Inventory-driven organizations

Additional experience with any of the following would be helpful:

• Inventory accounting
• Customer or vendor rebates
• Commission accounting
• Job-cost or project accounting
• Multi-state sales tax
• External audit and tax support
• Improving month-end close procedures
• Developing or documenting accounting processes and controls
• CPA or CMA certification, or active progress toward certification