Accounting Manager | Hybrid in Riverwoods, IL

About the role

The Accounting Manager plays a critical role in overseeing the accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal controls. This position requires a detail-oriented, analytical thinker with strong leadership capabilities and the ability to navigate complex accounting scenarios proactively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the month-end close and reporting process in alignment with the reporting calendar.
• Supervise and mentor accounting staff, providing guidance, performance feedback, and support to improve processes - including the quality of account reconciliations.
• Review, analyze, and approve general ledger transactions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Oversee the preparation and review of balance sheet account reconciliations on a monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual basis.
• Proactively identify and resolve accounting issues, escalating when necessary, with recommended solutions.
• Support internal and external audits by providing requested documentation and addressing inquiries professionally.
• Maintain and update desktop procedures and checklists to reflect changes in processes and tools.
• Maintain and monitor month-end close, reporting, and operational checklists to ensure timely and complete task execution before sign-off.
• Prepare and review supporting schedules and financial analyses as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and third-party service providers to ensure smooth operations.
• Conduct independent analysis to identify opportunities for process improvement and implement recommendations.
• Take initiative in identifying issues and opportunities, follow through on projects, and proactively recommend solutions to improve processes and resolve challenges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting (BBA or BS); Master's degree preferred.
• CPA certification or progress toward certification strongly preferred.
• 7-9 years of accounting/audit experience, including 2-3 years in a managerial role.
• Ideal candidates must have current or recent (within the past 1-2 years) experience managing teams responsible for core general ledger functions. This includes hands-on oversight of month-end close, journal entry preparation and review, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, intercompany transactions, and audit support. A strong and recent focus on GL is required to be considered for this role.
• Experience with international accounting is a plus.
• Proficiency in major ERP systems (SAP, Great Plains, NetSuite) and Blackline.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a detail-oriented approach.
• Prioritization and time management skills.
• Proven ability to manage teams and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working with accelerated month-end close timelines (3-5 days).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Project management experience is highly desirable.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented approach.
• Ability to manage teams and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working with accelerated month-end close timelines (3-5 days).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Project management experience.

Benefits

• The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.
• Can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Can participate in the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Pay

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: · the individual's skill sets, experience and training; · licensure and certification requirements; · office location and other geographic considerations; and · other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure.