Accounting Manager / Controller

The Jonus Group; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Short- and long-term disability

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

The Jonus Group is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager / Controller for a well-established independent insurance brokerage in Chicago. The role covers overseeing payroll, reconciliations, close processes, and reporting, with a hands-on leadership style and strong emphasis on internal controls.

You will work with agency leadership, manage commissions and carrier payables, support budgeting and planning, and lead process improvements.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Significant experience in insurance agency accounting, including carrier payables, producer commissions, and bookkeeping.
• Working knowledge of insurance agency accounting processes, including agency-billed business and carrier reconciliations.
• Experience with monthly financial close, bank reconciliations, management reporting, and general ledger accounting.
• Experience supporting budgeting, financial planning, and process improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hands-on environment.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with agency leadership and external partners.
• Experience with Applied Epic is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including payroll, disbursements, receipts, bank accounts, and monthly close.
• Manage insurance agency accounting functions, including carrier statement reconciliations and timely payments for agency-billed business.
• Oversee producer commission calculations, processing, and related accounting activities.
• Manage bookkeeping, account reconciliations, and general ledger accuracy.
• Oversee management reporting and support financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develop and improve procedures for collecting client receivables and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Partner with agency leadership to strengthen accounting processes, internal controls, and operational consistency.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology and improve accounting workflows and agency operations.
• Supervise accounting tasks performed by other team members.
• Coordinate with external accounting professionals on tax and accounting matters.

Tools

Applied Epic

Job description

Job Description

Accounting Manager / Controller

A well-established, independent insurance brokerage is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager / Controller to oversee its accounting operations and support the continued success of the business. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional with a strong background in insurance agency accounting who enjoys a hands-on role with broad responsibilities across financial operations, reporting, and process improvement. This individual will assume responsibility for the accounting function as part of a planned leadership transition and will work closely with agency leadership to ensure accurate financial reporting, efficient processes, and strong operational controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including payroll, operating disbursements, receipts, bank accounts, and monthly close.
• Manage insurance agency accounting functions, including carrier statement reconciliations and timely payments for agency-billed business.
• Oversee producer commission calculations, processing, and related accounting activities.
• Manage bookkeeping, account reconciliations, and general ledger accuracy.
• Oversee management reporting and support financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develop and improve procedures for collecting client receivables and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Partner with agency leadership to strengthen accounting processes, internal controls, and operational consistency.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology and improve accounting workflows and agency operations.
• Supervise accounting tasks performed by other team members.
• Coordinate with external accounting professionals on tax and accounting matters.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Significant experience in insurance agency accounting is required, particularly with carrier payables, producer commissions, and bookkeeping.
• Working knowledge of insurance agency accounting processes, including agency-billed business and carrier reconciliations.
• Experience with monthly financial close, bank reconciliations, management reporting, and general ledger accounting.
• Experience supporting budgeting, financial planning, and process improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hands-on environment.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with agency leadership and external partners.
• Experience with Applied Epic is highly desirable.
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach with an interest in improving accounting processes and leveraging technology.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $100,000–$120,000, depending on experience, with flexibility for exceptional candidates.
• Hybrid work schedule with three days onsite in Chicago.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching.