Finance Manager, Chicago, IL; Hybrid

Our client, a growing insurance firm with an entrepreneurial leadership team, is seeking a hands-on Finance Manager who can grow with the organization and eventually step into a CFO role. This is an excellent opportunity for a trustworthy, self-directed accounting professional who enjoys variety, ownership, and working closely with company leadership.

Reporting to the Founders, this individual will take over key accounting and financial functions currently handled by leadership, streamlining day-to-day operations and ensuring financial accuracy and compliance.

• Manage the company’s day-to-day accounting operations, including receiving, depositing, and recording checks (typically 8 per day related to wholesaler payments). Ensure all transactions are properly coded, documented, and reconciled. Handle vendor invoices and payments accurately and on schedule.
• Review and reconcile complex commission statements from multiple carriers (e.g., Travelers Insurance). Identify discrepancies, resolve commission issues, and ensure the company receives all due revenue. Maintain organized records of statements and reconciliations.
• Coordinate with payroll providers and plan administrators to ensure employee 401(k) contributions are accurate and timely. Calculate and process commission checks, verifying that all amounts align with internal tracking and carrier reports.
• Partner with leadership to review sales performance data and commission structures. Verify payment accuracy, resolve any discrepancies, and ensure timely distribution of compensation to the sales team.
• Collect, verify, and process employee expense reports. Ensure all expenses align with company policy, proper documentation is attached, and reimbursements are issued promptly.
• Act as the primary internal liaison with the external accounting partner. Provide transaction details, answer questions, and ensure all records are accurate and up to date. Collaborate on month-end close, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.
• Prepare summary reports for leadership review, providing clarity on variances, spending trends, and key financial metrics. Participate in strategic discussions to help guide financial decisions and business growth.
• Gain proficiency in Epic to manage accounting workflows, including invoicing, deposits, and reconciliations. Leverage the system to streamline processes, generate reports, and improve financial visibility.
• Assist with due diligence, financial consolidation, and system integration following new acquisitions. Help build scalable financial processes to support ongoing expansion and ensure consistency across entities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field preferred but not required.
• 2–15 years of accounting or finance experience required.
• Prior insurance industry experience is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with accounting systems; familiarity with Epic is a plus.
• Exceptional trustworthiness and attention to detail, discretion is critical.
• Hands‑on and proactive; comfortable managing daily accounting tasks independently.
• Strong communicator who can collaborate closely with leadership and external partners.
• Ambitious, growth‑oriented mindset with interest in long‑term career development.

Up to $125,000 salary per year (based on experience)