Accountant Jobs in Illinois

Accountant jobs in Illinois are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in corporate finance, public accounting, government, and manufacturing across roles from entry-level staff accountant to senior controller and CFO. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most active hiring metros in the country, with Springfield and Peoria rounding out demand in government finance and industrial sectors. Major employers with a lasting Illinois presence include Deloitte, Boeing, and the University of Illinois system, while the most sought-after specialties are audit, tax, and financial reporting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles152+
Top employerState of Illinois
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring69
Work type47% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 152+ Accountant jobs

Accounting Operations Staff
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New 4h ago
Accounting Operations Staff
Abercrombie & Kent
Downers Grove, Illinois
Business Operations
$45k - $50k/yr
Hybrid
Associate's degree in accounting
201-500

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Accounts Payable Accountant
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New 6h ago
Accounts Payable Accountant
Park Dist Of Highland Park
Highland Park, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Service
Sales
$22.5 - $30/hr
High school diploma or GED

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Associate Investment Accounting Operations
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New 8h ago
Associate Investment Accounting Operations
Guggenheim Partners
Chicago, Illinois
Accounting
Administrative & Office Support
Bookkeeping & AP/AR
$110k - $115k/yr
Bachelor's degree in finance
1,001-5,000

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Staff Accountant
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New 10h ago
Staff Accountant
Eastern Illinois Foodbank
Urbana, Illinois
Accounting
Bookkeeping & AP/AR
Tax
$22 - $25/hr
On-Site
Associate's degree in accounting

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Logistics Accounting Staff
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New 10h ago
Logistics Accounting Staff
Pelican Intermodal
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Accounting
Audit
Compliance & Risk

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Accountant Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Springfield
5 jobs
Lombard
3 jobs
Rosemont
3 jobs
Barrington
3 jobs
Northbrook
3 jobs
Bloomington
3 jobs
Downers Grove
3 jobs
Arlington Heights
3 jobs

Accountant Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

State of Illinois4 open roles
Google2 open roles
Wipfli2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Food & Beverage
  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Construction & Real Estate

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in accountant jobs across Illinois.

  • Active Illinois CPA license or eligibility to sit for the CPA exam required
  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field
  • Proficiency in accounting software such as SAP, Oracle, or QuickBooks
  • Experience preparing financial statements and general ledger reconciliations
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP and internal controls principles
  • Effective communication skills for presenting financial data to non-finance stakeholders

Accountant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a accountant in Illinois?

To become a licensed CPA in Illinois, you must earn a bachelor's degree with the required accounting and business credit hours, pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam, and complete the experience requirement under a licensed CPA. The Illinois Board of Examiners oversees exam eligibility, while the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issues the license. Staff accountant and accounting associate roles that do not require licensure typically require a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.

How much do accountants make in Illinois?

Accountants in Illinois earn a median of about $80,230 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,510 for the lowest 10% to over $131,990 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire accountants in Illinois?

Employers hiring accountants in Illinois right now include State of Illinois, Google, and Wipfli, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, large public accounting firms, and state government agencies means consistent openings at every experience level.

Which Illinois cities have the most accountant jobs?

Chicago, Springfield, and Lombard have the most accountant openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its density of corporate headquarters, Big Four accounting offices, and financial services firms, while smaller markets like Springfield and Peoria see steady demand driven by state government finance departments and large regional manufacturers.

Are there remote accountant jobs in Illinois?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 53% of accountant openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how well accounting tasks like financial analysis, reporting, and bookkeeping translate to remote work. Roles in audit, tax preparation, and management accounting are the most likely to offer flexible arrangements.

How can I get hired as a accountant in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for staff accountant or accounting associate roles at large Illinois employers, public accounting firms, or state agencies that run structured new-graduate programs. The Big Four and regional firms with Chicago offices hire entry-level associates each fall through campus recruiting cycles. Candidates who have passed one or more CPA exam sections stand out, and internships completed during school at Illinois employers frequently convert to full-time offers. Lateral moves from accounts payable, accounts receivable, or payroll specialist roles also provide a common stepping stone.

Where can I find and apply to accountant jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to accountant jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 152+ Accountant Jobs in Illinois

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