Senior Accountant

This job is located at 1 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL, 60606

Why PLS? Because You Deserve Better! ® PLS — which stands for People – Location – Service — is a leading retail provider of financial services. The “P” comes first, because our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we recognize that it’s our exceptional team members who go above and beyond every day. The PLS Group, headquartered in Chicago, is comprised of over 200 financial service centers in 12 states.

Through our check cashing stores, we provide consumers with convenient financial products and services to help them manage their day-to-day financial needs. Although many of our customers have banking relationships, we believe that our customers use our financial services because they are convenient, transparent, and frequently more affordable than available traditional alternatives. PLS was founded in 1997 by Bob and Dan Wolfberg, who serve as Co‑Presidents.

We are looking for a Senior Accountant to support our Line of Business accounting operations at PLS! This analytical leader will be responsible for General Ledger, month‑end close, analyzing financial profitability, and other special project requests. Our Senior Accountant will communicate with field operations personnel regarding daily activity flow and offer hands‑on support in reviewing accounting staff’s month‑end close tasks.

• Prepare and post monthly journal entries, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and proper support documentation.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations, account analyses, and post‑close support schedules; investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Review monthly financial statements and perform variance analysis to identify trends, unusual activity, reporting errors, and explanations for management.
• Prepare year‑end audit schedules and respond to audit requests with accurate, complete, and well‑supported information.
• Communicate accounting issues, discrepancies, process gaps, and recommend solutions to management and cross‑functional partners.
• Assist with documenting, monitoring, and improving accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee assigned staff‑prepared journal entries, reconciliations, and schedules, providing feedback and ensuring compliance with accounting policies.
• Participate in special projects, process improvements, system initiatives, and other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting
• 4+ years of progressive accounting experience, including general ledger, month‑end close, reconciliations, journal entries, and variance analysis
• CPA preferred
• Experience with Blackline and Microsoft Dynamics/Great Plains preferred
• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and accounting principles
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills with the ability to identify trends, discrepancies, root causes, and document practical solutions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced computer and Excel experience including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and analysis of large data sets
• Highly detail oriented and organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines accurately
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of responsibilities, and proactively escalated issues to management
• Adherence to policies, procedures and instructions from the Controller and Accounting Manager
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external agencies to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving, and provide results

• This role requires regular in‑person collaboration with team members at our Chicago Support Center.
• Must be able to…