Accounting Manager/Accounting Process Architect

Stairway Ventures; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + performance incentives

Equity incentive plan available

Opportunity for career advancement

Job summary

A private-equity-backed holding company based in Chicago seeks a highly skilled accounting professional to manage and optimize its accounting infrastructure. The candidate will be responsible for designing accounting processes, financial reporting, and cash management within a fast-growing multi-entity environment. Applicants should have at least 5 years of relevant experience, a strong grasp of GAAP, and a proven track record in building accounting functions. Competitive salary and performance incentives are offered.

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years of accounting experience including public and industry roles.
• Strong knowledge of multi-entity accounting and consolidations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-growth environment.
• Experience building accounting processes, SOPs, and controls.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-growth, multi-entity environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and standardize accounting processes across subsidiaries.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reports.
• Evaluate and improve accounting systems like QuickBooks and NetSuite.
• Maintain cash flow forecasts and reconcile financial accounts.
• Ensure compliance with sales tax and regulatory obligations.
• Prepare schedules and documentation for annual reviews/tax filings.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Accounting process building

Attention to detail

Project management

Excel proficiency

SOP design

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or MBA

MBA (preferred)

Tools

QuickBooks Enterprise

NetSuite

Job description

We are a rapidly growing, private-equity‑backed holding company operating multiple companies across manufacturing, distribution, , healthcare, and technology. Our business requires disciplined financial controls, scalable accounting processes, and accurate reporting across several entities. We are seeking a highly skilled accounting professional with CPA-level expertise who can build, optimize, and manage our accounting infrastructure as we scale.

Role Overview

This role is ideal for someone who not only understands accounting at a deep technical level, but also enjoys building processes, implementing structure, designing workflows, and improving financial operations.

You will be responsible for:

• Designing and standardizing accounting processes
• Creating month-end close frameworks
• Supporting multi-entity consolidation
• Partnering with leadership to improve financial visibility and performance

This is a hands‑on builder role, not a routine accountant position.

Key Responsibilities

1. Build & Optimize Accounting Processes
   • Design, document, and implement scalable accounting workflows across multiple subsidiaries
   • Create standardized procedures for A/R, A/P, invoicing, inventory, cost accounting, payroll, and treasury
   • Build month‑end and year‑end close processes (calendar, checklists, responsibilities, deadlines)
   • Establish internal controls aligned with PE‑backed operational best practices
   • Develop audit‑ready accounting documentation and reconciliations
2. Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting
   • Prepare accurate monthly financial statements and management reports
   • Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP across all entities
   • Assist CEO/CFO with forecasting, budgeting, and financial modeling
   • Support intercompany accounting, eliminations, and consolidation reporting
   • Oversee accruals, revenue recognition, fixed assets, and depreciation schedules
3. Systems & Technology
   • Evaluate and improve our current accounting systems (QuickBooks Enterprise / NetSuite etc.)
   • Build automated workflows that reduce manual errors and increase visibility
   • Implement tools for inventory management, COGS reporting, and cash tracking
   • Work with operations to ensure data accuracy (warehouse, manufacturing, e‑commerce)
4. Cash Management & Controls
   • Maintain rolling cash flow forecasts and cash conversion tracking
   • Reconcile bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and merchant processing
   • Create processes for purchase orders, approvals, and spend control
5. Compliance, Audit, and Tax Support
   • Prepare schedules and documentation for annual reviews/tax filings
   • Liaise with external CPAs, auditors, lenders, and PE partners
   • Ensure compliance with sales tax, payroll tax, and other regulatory obligations
6. Cross‑Functional Leadership
   • Partner with operations, supply chain, sales, and finance
   • Translate accounting needs into operational process changes
   • Communicate clearly and professionally with executives

________________________________________

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or MBA
• 5‑10+ years of accounting experience (public + industry mix ideal)
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, multi‑entity accounting, and consolidations
• Experience building accounting processes, SOPs, and controls
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑growth, multi‑entity environment
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills

Preferred

• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, e‑commerce, or PE‑backed companies
• Knowledge of cost accounting, inventory systems, and multi‑location operations
• Strong Excel skills (formulas, pivots, reconciliations, analysis)
• Ability to manage projects and lead initiatives independently

________________________________________

What We Offer

• Competitive salary + performance incentives
• Equity incentive plan available for high‑performing team members
• Opportunity to strengthen and improve current accounting functions
• Work directly with senior leadership in a high‑growth environment
• PE‑backed exposure and career advancement
• A chance to make immediate, high‑impact improvements to financial operations