Principal Accountant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois

Overview:

The Senior Accountant will assist in the execution of the organization’s general accounting policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with GAAP and relevant accounting standards, complete month-end close responsibilities, coordinating with various departments to ensure accurate financial reporting, and preparing detailed reports. The position also supports both internal and external audits and ensures compliance with internal controls. The role requires effective transaction execution, cross-department collaboration, and attention to detail to ensure accurate financial results and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

General Ledger and Month-End Close:

• Ensure entries are timely, accurate and complete during the month-end close process and resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor GL entries for any unusual transactions and report discrepancies or outliers to senior management.
• Prepare and post month-end journal entries for general ledger accounts, ensuring proper expense and revenue recognition.
• Review and reconcile GL accounts related to fixed assets, prepaids, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Ensure the accuracy of reconciliations and proper expense recognition for fixed assets, prepaids and various accrual accounts.
• Review capital authorization requests (CARs) for completeness, approvals, and proper capitalization vs. expense treatment.
• Review fixed assets for disposal (retirements, sales, transfers), including gain/loss calculations and approvals.
• Maintain the fixed asset subledger, including additions, depreciation, and reconciliation to the GL.
• Identify and implement process improvements related to GL account reconciliation procedures.
• Ensure accounting processes comply with company policies and accounting standards during month-end closing.
• Monitor internal controls and regulatory compliance, ensuring they align with company policies and applicable standards.
• Maintain proper documentation to support monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close activities.
• Coordinate with various departments to gather required data and ensure accurate financial results.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline the month-end close process.
• Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
• Work with other departments, including finance, operations, and IT, to ensure smooth data integration and resolution of discrepancies in the GL.
• Partner with operational teams to provide financial insights and support operational decision-making.
• Assist other departments in understanding and complying with accounting standards and company policies.
• Manage reconciliations and interfaces into the GL.
• Ensure accurate reflection of data interfaces (e.g., fixed assets, other subsystems) in the GL and resolve discrepancies.

Process Improvement and Automation:

• Identify areas for process improvement in accounting functions, including GL entries, reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Lead initiatives to automate routine accounting processes, improving accuracy and efficiency.
• Evaluate and implement technological tools or upgrades to streamline accounting workflows and enhance data accuracy, including AI.

Team Leadership and Mentorship:

• Mentor junior accounting staff, providing guidance and support for their professional development.
• Ensure the accounting team adheres to internal controls and regulatory requirements.

Audit Coordination:

• Assist with quarterly and year-end audits.
• Participate in the preparation of audit schedules and financial statements for external auditors and regulatory filings.
• Provide supporting documentation for GL transactions during audits.
• Supply requested schedules, reconciliations, and materials.
• Ensure all requested documentation is accurate, complete, and provided on time for audit purposes.
• Participate in internal control audits testing requests.
• Monitor adherence to accounting policies and procedures and identify areas of weakness in controls, recommending improvements as needed.
• Participate in the review and testing of controls related to financial reporting to ensure they are working as designed.

Qualifications

• Structured, organized, and focused, with the ability to work independently and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills particularly in GL accounting and balance sheet management and analysis (accruals, prepaids, etc.).
• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations related to GL transactions and balance sheet accounts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to address inquiries from finance leadership and business stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and ERP systems; experience with fixed assets and GL interfaces preferred.
• Familiarity with automation tools for accounting processes is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
• 4-6 years of month-end close experience, with expertise in managing GL accounts, reconciliations, and balance sheets for accruals, prepaids and fixed asset accounts.
• Proven experience managing month-end close activities and coordinating audit requests, including internal control audits and SOX compliance.
• CPA preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

EEO Statement / Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Location Type: On-Site
Pay Range: USD $100,000.00 - USD $130,000.00 /Yr.