Senior Technical Accounting Lead

Senior Technical Accounting Lead

Hybrid | Chicago, IL

We're looking for a highly skilled, detail-oriented Sr. Technical Accounting Lead to join our Accounting team. Reporting directly to our Controller and working alongside a small team of accounting professionals, this role performs full-cycle GAAP accounting across multiple P&Ls. Responsibilities include preparing accruals, estimates, cutoff, and deferrals; performing balance sheet reconciliations built to audit standard; and researching and documenting technical accounting positions for complex or non-routine transactions.

The role also audits payroll data in ADP Workforce Now, reconciles payroll-related GL accounts, and ensures payroll journal entries are recorded in accordance with GAAP.

Salary range $85,000 - $90,000 based on experience, qualifications and skills

Location:

Chicago, IL will observe a hybrid schedule in-office 3 days a week

This is an excellent opportunity to get broad exposure to the full set of financial statements and to make a real impact as you help us maintain solid financial controls in a fast-paced, growing environment. While a large component of this role follows a typical recurring monthly accounting cycle, the growth of our business brings constant new projects and opportunities to develop your skills.

The ideal candidate brings strong GAAP knowledge, sharp analytical and research skills, and the ability to work independently on complex accounting matters while partnering closely with the Controller.

• Prepare and post journal entries for accruals, prepaids, fixed assets, and other key transactions in accordance with GAAP and internal policies.
• Involved in the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate completion of financial reporting deliverables.
• Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and proper classification of transactions.
• Perform detailed balance sheet reconciliations monthly, investigating and resolving variances to ensure data integrity.
• Develop and implement process improvements to streamline accounting workflows, reduce manual effort, and enhance data accuracy.
• Managing and responding to inquiries sent to the Accounting department's shared email inbox in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with ad hoc analyses, reporting projects, system implementations, and other strategic initiatives as needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver financial insights that support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Analyze financial statements and internal reports to identify discrepancies, variances, or unusual trends and proactively resolve issues.
• Review customer contracts and agreements to determine appropriate billing terms, schedules, and methods in compliance with company policies and revenue recognition standards.
• Collaborate with Sales, Legal, and Service teams to resolve contract discrepancies, clarify billing requirements, and gather any missing documentation or data.

• Review and audit payroll data prepared by the payroll team in ADP Workforce Now prior to final submission, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal controls.
• Validate employee hours, earnings, deductions, bonuses, commissions, and tax with holdings to ensure all payroll elements are correctly calculated.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and all applicable federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts, including wages, payroll taxes, and employee benefits.
• Verify the correct classification of employees and compensation structures within the ADP system.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between payroll reports, timekeeping systems, and financial records before payroll is finalized.
• Collaborate with the payroll team, HR, and ADP support to address errors, make adjustments, and ensure timely payroll processing.
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries to the general ledger in accordance with GAAP.
• Monitor accruals related to bonuses, and commissions to ensure proper financial reporting and alignment with payroll cycles.
• Uphold confidentiality and integrity of all payroll data and employee information.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required.
• CPA designation strongly preferred; candidates actively pursuing licensure will also be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Strong working knowledge of US GAAP, including revenue recognition (ASC 606), accruals, prepaids, and fixed asset accounting
• Proficiency in accounting software Sage Intact (or similar), Advanced knowledge of MS Excel, ADP
• Ability to research and apply GAAP guidance to non-routine or complex transactions, with clear written documentation of accounting positions
• Experience preparing balance sheet reconciliations and supporting documentation to audit standard
• Excellent…