Accounting Manager – Process Improvement & SOX

Buckingham Search; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

ESPP

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid parental leave

Hybrid work in Chicago

Job summary

Buckingham Search is seeking an Accounting Manager who will bridge Corporate Accounting, SOX Compliance, and operational finance across a global manufacturing setting. You will translate corporate directives into actionable workflows while upholding US GAAP and SOX across multiple sites.

The role demands a Big 4 background with strong communication skills to present to CFO-level leadership and drive process standardization and control remediation.

Qualifications

• Active CPA required and 5–8+ years in accounting and internal controls.
• Experience auditing publicly traded manufacturing or distribution clients.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and SOX 404 remediation.

Responsibilities

• Lead SOX process management across sites and ensure control owners document key controls.
• Remediate control gaps with Internal Control team and drive timely actions.
• Roll out new accounting policies with practical implementation guidance.
• Standardize workflows across locations with plant leadership.
• Improve balance sheet reconciliation and journal entry processes.

Skills

SOX compliance

US GAAP

Internal controls

Executive presence

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP ECC/SAC

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Accounting Manager – Process Improvement & SOX

A large, publicly traded global manufacturing organization is seeking an Accounting Manager to serve as the strategic bridge between its Corporate Accounting and SOX Compliance teams and its operational finance organization — translating corporate accounting directives into practical workflows while ensuring uncompromising US GAAP and SOX compliance across a complex, multi-site environment.

This is a unique role for a commercially-minded Big 4 CPA who thrives at the intersection of technical accounting, internal controls, and operational process improvement — with the presence and judgment to stand before senior leadership and defend operational accounting perspectives.

What You'll Do:

• Lead end-to-end SOX process management and coordination across operational sites — ensuring local control owners understand, execute, and document key controls effectively
• Liaise with the Internal Control team on identified control gaps — engaging appropriate operational contacts and driving timely remediation
• Partner with Corporate Accounting on the rollout and practical implementation of new accounting policies — translating technical requirements into actionable operational guidelines
• Standardize core accounting and reporting workflows across manufacturing and distribution locations in partnership with local operational finance and plant leadership
• Drive continuous improvement in balance sheet reconciliation workflows and manual journal entry processes — resolving aging bottlenecks and establishing clean documentation standards
• Provide practical US GAAP guidance across revenue recognition, lease and CapEx governance, and inventory cost accounting to ensure compliant and efficient operations
• Travel 10–30% for site visits to operational plants, distribution facilities, and corporate meetings

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Active CPA required
• 5–8+ years of progressive accounting, internal controls, and assurance experience
• Big 4 or top national public accounting firm experience — auditing publicly traded manufacturing, industrial, or complex distribution clients required
• Proven SOX 404 compliance experience including control deficiency remediation and operational process standardization
• Expert knowledge of US GAAP standards including ASC 606, ASC 842, ASC 330, and ASC 360
• Strong SAP ECC/SAC experience preferred; advanced Excel and Google Sheets skills required
• High emotional intelligence with proven ability to build consensus between conflicting corporate and operational priorities
• Executive presence with the ability to present and defend accounting positions to CFO and Director-level leadership

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Unique strategic role at the intersection of Corporate Accounting, SOX, and operational finance
• Real influence over process standardization and compliance across a large, multi-site organization
• High visibility to CFO and senior leadership with meaningful technical accounting authority
• Publicly traded global manufacturer — complex, interesting work across multiple business lines
• Competitive compensation including 401(k), ESPP, medical, dental, vision, and paid parental leave
• Hybrid flexibility in Chicago with site visit travel component