Accounting Manager – Process Improvement & SOX

Buckingham Search; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

ESPP

Medical insurance

Dental

Vision

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Buckingham Search presents an Accounting Manager role focused on process improvement and SOX compliance. The position bridges Corporate Accounting with the SOX team and operational finance across multiple sites, ensuring US GAAP compliance.

The candidate should have Big 4 experience, CPA, and strong SAP/ECC skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and standardize finance workflows. Chicago area with hybrid work expectations.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Proven SOX 404 compliance experience including control deficiency remediation and process standardization.
• Executive presence with the ability to present and defend accounting positions to CFO and Director-level leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end SOX process management and coordination across operational sites.
• Liaise with Internal Control team on control gaps and remediation.
• Partner with Corporate Accounting on rollout of new accounting policies.
• Standardize core accounting and reporting workflows across locations.
• Drive continuous improvement in balance sheet reconciliations and journal entries.
• Provide US GAAP guidance on revenue, lease, CapEx, and inventory cost accounting.
• Travel 10–30% for site visits.

Skills

SOX compliance

US GAAP

Process improvement

Internal controls

CPA

Big 4 experience

SAP ECC/SAC

Excel / Google Sheets

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Active CPA

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 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