Accounting Manager

Buckingham Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Parental leave

Educational assistance

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

Buckingham Search is seeking an Accounting Manager – Process Improvement in Chicago, IL. The role sits at the crossroads of Corporate Accounting, SOX, internal controls, and operational finance, translating policy into practical processes across multiple sites.

The ideal candidate is a CPA with Big 4 or top public accounting exposure, capable of guiding control owners and partnering with leadership to improve reconciliations, journal entries, and technical accounting decisions.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of progressive experience across accounting, audit, internal controls, or assurance.
• Active US CPA required.

Responsibilities

• SOX Compliance & Coordination: Lead SOX process management across operational locations, ensuring control owners understand, execute, and properly document key controls.
• Controls & Remediation: Partner with Internal Controls teams to address control deficiencies, coordinate remediation efforts, and hold local process owners accountable for timely resolution.
• Accounting Policy Implementation: Translate new accounting policies and technical requirements into clear, actionable guidance for operational teams.
• Process Improvement: Standardize and streamline accounting and reporting processes across multiple locations and business units.
• Reconciliations & Journal Entries: Improve balance sheet reconciliation and manual journal entry processes, strengthen documentation and review practices.
• Technical Accounting: Provide practical US GAAP guidance related to revenue recognition, rebates/discounts, leases, capex, inventory, and fixed assets.
• Business Partnership: Advise operational finance and business leaders balancing compliance with efficiency.

Skills

SOX Compliance

Controls remediation

Policy translation

Process improvement

Reconciliations

Journal entries

Technical accounting

US GAAP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Accounting Manager – Process Improvement

Location: Chicago, IL

Travel: 10–30%

Industry: Large, publicly traded industrial organization

A leading publicly traded organization is seeking an Accounting Manager – Process Improvement to serve as a key connection point between Corporate Accounting, SOX/Internal Controls, and operational finance teams.

This is a highly visible role for an accounting professional who enjoys working at the intersection of technical accounting, internal controls, SOX compliance, and process improvement. You’ll take corporate accounting requirements and translate them into practical, scalable processes across a complex, multi-site operating environment.

The ideal candidate is a CPA with Big 4 or top public accounting experience who can confidently interpret accounting policy, challenge existing processes, partner with control owners, and provide practical guidance to operational finance leaders.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• SOX Compliance & Coordination: Lead SOX process management across operational locations, ensuring control owners understand, execute, and properly document key controls.
• Controls & Remediation: Partner with Internal Controls teams to address control deficiencies, coordinate remediation efforts, and hold local process owners accountable for timely resolution.
• Accounting Policy Implementation: Work with Corporate Accounting to translate new accounting policies and technical requirements into clear, actionable guidance for operational teams.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to standardize and streamline accounting and reporting processes across multiple locations and business units.
• Reconciliations & Journal Entries: Improve balance sheet reconciliation and manual journal entry processes, eliminate bottlenecks, and strengthen documentation and review practices.
• Technical Accounting: Provide practical US GAAP guidance related to areas such as revenue recognition, customer rebates/discounts, leases, capital expenditures, inventory, and fixed assets.
• Business Partnership: Serve as a trusted accounting advisor to operational finance and business leaders, balancing compliance requirements with efficiency and business needs.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Active US CPA required
• 5–8+ years of progressive experience across accounting, audit, internal controls, or assurance
• Big 4 or top national public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Experience auditing publicly traded companies, ideally within manufacturing, industrial, distribution, building products, or another complex operational environment
• Strong hands‑on experience with SOX compliance, internal controls, control remediation, and process improvement
• Strong understanding of US GAAP, including areas such as ASC 606, ASC 842, ASC 330, and ASC 360
• Experience working with large-scale ERP systems and advanced Excel/financial analysis skills
• Ability to communicate complex accounting and controls concepts to both accounting and operational audiences
• Strong executive presence, judgment, and ability to challenge existing processes constructively
• Pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach with the ability to balance technical compliance with operational realities
• Willingness to travel approximately 10–30% for site visits and business meetings

WHY CONSIDER THE ROLE?

• High-visibility position within a large, publicly traded organization
• Significant exposure to Corporate Accounting, SOX, Internal Controls, and operational finance
• Opportunity to influence and standardize processes across a complex organization
• Strong platform for continued growth in accounting leadership, technical accounting, controls, or process improvement
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• 401(k) and employee stock purchase opportunities
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• HSA/FSA options
• Paid time off and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Educational assistance
• Health and wellness programs

This is a great fit for someone who wants to move beyond traditional audit or accounting and have a direct impact on how a large organization operates.