Senior Accountant

About the Role

We're looking for a Senior Accountant who combines strong technical expertise with a proactive, hands-on approach in a collaborative, in-person environment. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with others, building relationships across departments, and contributing as a visible part of a fast-moving team. The right candidate will be able to step in quickly, take ownership, and make an immediate impact—balancing independent work with strong cross-functional collaboration. If you thrive in a high-volume setting, communicate effectively in person, and take pride in accuracy and accountability, this is a great opportunity to grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and create GL accounts, macro groupings, and system formats to support accurate and meaningful financial statements.
• Lead month-end and year-end close activities, including preparing schedules and coordinating information for auditors.
• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations with a high degree of accuracy.
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax preparers to support multi-state income tax compliance (quarterly payments, annual returns/reports); complete select state filings internally.
• Assist Controller with cash management, including payment planning, approvals, releases, and weekly cash projections.
• Review and approve monthly benefit invoices prior to AP processing.
• Analyze inventory activity and variances, including data collection, reporting, and interpretation—leveraging cost accounting principles in a manufacturing environment.
• Collaborate with Accounting and department managers to develop the annual operating budget; monitor performance and investigate variances.
• Proactively identify, communicate, and help resolve financial issues in a timely manner.
• Partner with the Accounting team to prepare formal financial presentation materials for internal leadership and external stakeholders.
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations for designated accounts.
• Compile property valuations and business interruption data for annual insurance renewals and report relevant incidents or changes.
• Support Purchasing with lease-versus-buy analyses and other financial evaluations.
• Assist in generating annual employee benefits statements.
• Respond to information requests and provide financial support to internal departments.
• Offer guidance and problem-solving support to team members across the organization.
• Provide backup coverage for various accounting functions within the department.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting preferred
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Manufacturing and/or cost accounting experience required
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, cost analysis, and variance reporting
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX, etc.)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally across all levels
• Ability to thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced, onsite environment with multiple deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a hands-on, ownership-driven mindset
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy and accountability

Benefits

• Competitive salary: $95,000–$100,000 annually
• Contract-to-hire opportunity with long-term growth potential
• Eligibility to earn an annual bonus
• Health insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Disability
• Life insurance
• Profit sharing & 401(k)
• Onsite fitness center
• Onsite nurse
• Paid time off
• 11 paid holidays

Schedule

• Location: Ashton, IL (fully onsite)
• Employment Type: Contract-to-hire
• Schedule: Full-time, standard business hours