Senior Accountant, Benefits

Glenview, IL | On-Site | Fortune 300 Company

A Fortune 300 global manufacturing organization headquartered in the northern suburbs of Chicago is seeking a Senior Analyst to join its Corporate Accounting team, owning the end-to-end accounting, reporting, and compliance for a large, complex portfolio of U.S. employee benefit programs.

This is a hands-on ownership role with meaningful exposure to SEC reporting, benefit plan audits, actuarial coordination, and cross-functional business partnership — ideal for a detail-oriented accounting professional who wants real responsibility and visibility in a well-resourced, admired organization.

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting and close processes for U.S. employee health and welfare benefit plans in compliance with US GAAP
• Prepare, review, and post journal entries; perform account reconciliations; analyze variances; and investigate and resolve reconciling items
• Ensure accurate recognition of benefit costs, liabilities, reserves, settlements, and IBNR claims
• Support the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes for assigned benefit programs — analyzing actuals versus budget and providing clear explanations to management
• Develop and maintain supporting models and analytical schedules related to benefit plan costs and obligations
• Partner with plan actuaries, third-party administrators, insurers, and vendors to interpret data and translate it into accurate accounting and reporting
• Collaborate with HR to assess accounting implications of plan design changes and new programs
• Assist in the preparation and review of quarterly and annual SEC reporting disclosures including Forms 10-Q and 10-K related to employee benefits
• Support preparation of benefit plan financial statements and schedules for Forms 5500 and 990 filings
• Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors, internal audit, and benefit plan auditors
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve controls, and enhance documentation

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• 2–4 years of progressive accounting or finance experience in a corporate or public accounting environment
• Strong understanding of US GAAP and the financial close process
• Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capabilities
• CPA or progress toward CPA preferred
• Prior experience with employee benefit plan accounting a plus
• Experience with ERP and consolidation systems (D365 Business Central, Oracle HFM) a plus
• Exposure to SEC reporting, external audits, or benefit plan regulatory filings a plus
• Must be able to work on-site 5 days per week in Glenview, IL

Fortune 300 organization — named the #1 most admired company in its industry by Fortune Magazine multiple times

Hands-on ownership of a complex, high-visibility accounting function

Meaningful SEC reporting and external audit exposure

Beautiful corporate campus with fitness center, café, walking trails, and covered parking — one block from Metra

Exceptional benefits including 401(k), medical, dental, vision, parental leave, and educational assistance

Strong philanthropy culture — $22M+ donated and 16,000+ volunteer hours logged in 2024 alone