Senior Staff Accountant

Senior Staff AccountantLocation: Hillside, IL | Type: Full-time | Reports to: Controller / Assistant ControllerInterested in this role You can find all the relevant information in the description below.About the RoleCogneSense is looking for a Senior Staff Accountant to join our accounting team. You'll play a key part in month-end close, financial reporting, and account reconciliations, and you'll oversee accounts payable and sales tax compliance across our multi-entity platform (L&J Technologies, Varec, PSG, Sonitus Systems, and GPE Controls). This role suits someone who is detail-oriented, likes owning a process from start to finish, and wants to help improve how we work.The accounting function here is still being built out, so this job description is a starting point, not a fixed list. You'll be expected to be a team player, a problem solver, and a process improver — someone who's genuinely into the details, comfortable rolling up their sleeves on legacy reconciliations and messy balances, and willing to pick up what needs doing rather than saying "that's not my job." Responsibilities will shift as the team and systems mature.Key ResponsibilitiesMonth-End Close and Financial ReportingAssist with the month-end close process, including preparing and posting journal entries, accruals, prepaids, and reclassesPrepare budget vs. actual (BvA) analysis and explain significant variances to managementHelp prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting packagesSupport the close calendar and help drive a timely, accurate closeMaintain and reconcile prepaid and fixed asset schedules, including monthly depreciation and amortization entriesSupport flux/variance analysis at the account level for board and lender reportingReconciliationsPerform monthly bank reconciliations and resolve reconciling items promptlyPrepare and review balance sheet account reconciliations, and investigate and clear aged or unexplained balancesKeep supporting documentation organized and audit-readyIdentify and clean up legacy or aged reconciling items, escalating unusual balances to the Controller with a clear explanation and resolution planAccounts Payable OversightOversee the full-cycle A/P process, including invoice intake, coding, approvals, and payment runsReview A/P aging, vendor statements, and the accuracy of accrued liabilitiesMaintain vendor master data and support W-9/1099 complianceIdentify and implement process improvements and internal controls within A/PPartner with Operations and Procurement to resolve invoice discrepancies and purchase order mismatchesProvide backup coverage and training for A/P staff and processes as neededSales TaxMonitor sales tax filings across applicable jurisdictions to make sure they're accurate and on timeReconcile sales tax payable accounts and research taxability questions as they come upRespond to notices and support any sales tax auditsSupport exemption certificate management and nexus tracking as the business expands into new statesOtherSupport year-end close and external audit requestsAssist with intercompany transactions and reconciliationsTake part in system improvements and ERP projectsSupport the ongoing Business Central ERP migration, including data validation and testingHandle ad hoc analysis and special projects as neededCross-train on other accounting functions to provide backup coverage across the teamDocument and improve close procedures as processes are standardized across entitiesQualificationsBachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance4+ years of progressive accounting experience; public accounting or manufacturing/engineering industry experience a plusStrong xhyhwjd working knowledge of GAAP and the month-end close processHands-on experience with journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analysisExperience overseeing or managing accounts payableFamiliarity with multi-state sales tax complianceAdvanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs/XLOOKUPs, pivot tables, working with large data sets)Experience working in an ERP systemExperience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a plusHighly organized, deadline-driven, and comfortable managing several priorities during closeClear communicator who can work with operations, vendors, and leadershipComfort working through messy, legacy, or under-documented financial recordsGenuine interest in the technical craft of accounting, not just the credentialCPA or progress toward a CPA preferred, not requiredWhat We OfferCompetitive salary: $70,000-$85,000Health, dental, and vision insurance401(k) with company matchPTO and 10 paid holidaysOpportunity to grow with a team that's modernizing its systems and processes — genuine room to grow toward a Senior Accountant, Assistant Controller, or Controller-track role as the finance function scalesCogneSense is an Equal Opportunity Employer.