Associate Vice President of Accounting Operations

Advocate Health; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health invites an accomplished accounting executive to lead enterprise-wide financial operations in Illinois. You will shape policy, governance, and reporting while directing a large team through complex healthcare regulations and audits.

Primary responsibilities include strategic financial leadership, GAAP reporting, risk controls, and cross-functional collaboration with senior leadership to advance organizational objectives.

Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement accounting strategies, policies and procedures aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and objectives.
• Contribute to financial planning and decision-making at the executive level and advise senior leadership.
• Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger management, cash accounting and analytics, investments, insurance, grants and endowments, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and fringe benefits, fixed assets and leasing, and the financial close processes.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of all financial transactions, reconciliations and reports.
• Oversee the cash accounting applications and analytics systems/processes, bank reconciliations and the accounting team’s support of the enterprise treasury operations.
• Ensure accounting policies and procedures support liquidity, debt management, and investment strategies.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, analyses and reconciliations in accordance with GAAP, applicable regulatory standards and internal control policies.
• Establish, monitor, and continuously improve robust internal controls to safeguard organizational assets, ensure compliance with GAAP, laws and regulations (including HIPAA and Sarbanes‑Oxley as applicable), and prevent fraud or errors.
• Lead periodic reviews and audits to assess the effectiveness of controls.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of accounting, tax, and health care regulations. Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including Medicare and Medicaid rules, IRS regulations, and other critical standards.
• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, standardization and system enhancements to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness. Evaluate current accounting workflows and lead technological solutions to streamline operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing accounting team. Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and promote professional growth through coaching, training, and succession planning. Approves all teammate compensation changes, resolution plans of teammate concerns, corrective action plans and terminations.
• Support the budgeting and forecasting process by providing accurate historical data, trend analysis, and insightful financial perspectives. Collaborate with finance and operational leaders to develop budgets that support organizational priorities.
• Coordinate annual external audits and internal audit reviews. Serve as the primary liaison to auditors, ensuring timely preparation and delivery of required documentation and swiftly addressing audit findings.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including executive leadership, department leaders, regulatory agencies, and vendors. Communicate complex financial information clearly to non‑financial audiences.
• Lead change initiatives related to accounting operations, including system implementations, policy updates, and process redesigns. Guide teams through transitions and foster a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement.
• Identify financial and compliance risks, recommend mitigation strategies, and oversee the implementation of risk management practices tailored to the unique needs of the accounting department in a health care environment.
• Lead the team in various special projects including mergers and acquisitions, system integrations, and new business initiatives, providing accounting expertise and due diligence.

Skills

GAAP

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Communication

Healthcare knowledge

Ethical standards

Strategic vision

Operational excellence

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Workday

Job description

Major Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

Develop and implement accounting strategies, policies and procedures that align with the organization’s overall mission, values, and business objectives. Contribute to financial planning and decision-making at the executive level and serve as a trusted financial advisor to senior leadership.

Accounting Operations Management:

Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger management, cash accounting and analytics, investments, insurance, grants and endowments, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and fringe benefits, fixed assets and leasing, and the financial close processes. Ensure accuracy and timeliness of all financial transactions, reconciliations and reports.

Cash Accounting Applications & Treasury Support:

Oversee the cash accounting applications and analytics systems/processes, bank reconciliations and the accounting team’s support of the enterprise treasury operations. Ensure accounting policies and procedures are followed to support the enterprise liquidity, debt management, and investment strategies.

Financial Reporting:

Oversee the preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, analyses and reconciliations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable regulatory standards and internal control policies. Ensure that financial reporting reflects the organization’s true financial position.

Internal Controls:

Establish, monitor, and continuously improve robust internal controls to safeguard organizational assets, ensure compliance with GAAP, laws and regulations (including HIPAA and Sarbanes‑Oxley as applicable), and prevent fraud or errors. Lead periodic reviews and audits to assess the effectiveness of controls.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight:

Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of accounting, tax, and health care regulations. Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including Medicare and Medicaid rules, IRS regulations, and other critical standards.

Process Optimization:

Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, standardization and system enhancements to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness. Evaluate current accounting workflows and lead technological solutions to streamline operations.

Team Leadership and Development:

Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing accounting team. Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and promote professional growth through coaching, training, and succession planning. Approves all teammate compensation changes, resolution plans of teammate concerns, corrective action plans and terminations.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

Support the budgeting and forecasting process by providing accurate historical data, trend analysis, and insightful financial perspectives. Collaborate with finance and operational leaders to develop budgets that support organizational priorities.

Audit Management:

Coordinate annual external audits and internal audit reviews. Serve as the primary liaison to auditors, ensuring timely preparation and delivery of required documentation and swiftly addressing audit findings.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including executive leadership, department leaders, regulatory agencies, and vendors. Communicate complex financial information clearly to non‑financial audiences.

Change Management:

Lead change initiatives related to accounting operations, including system implementations, policy updates, and process redesigns. Guide teams through transitions and foster a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement.

Risk Management:

Identify financial and compliance risks, recommend mitigation strategies, and oversee the implementation of risk management practices tailored to the unique needs of the accounting department in a health care environment.

Special Projects:

Lead the team in various special projects including mergers and acquisitions, system integrations, and new business initiatives, providing accounting expertise and due diligence.

Certification Required:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.

Work Experience Required:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 7 years in a management or executive leadership role, preferably within a health care organization or similarly complex environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Technical Skills: Demonstrated expertise in GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Workday, or healthcare-specific platforms).
• Leadership Abilities: Proven track record of developing talent, leading teams, and driving organizational change.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Analytical Skills: Strong problem‑solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail and a capacity for strategic thinking.
• Health Care Knowledge: Familiarity with health care industry operations, terminology, and regulatory requirements (Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA, etc.).
• Ethical Standards: High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical conduct.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to think long-term, anticipate industry changes, and position accounting operations to support future growth and transformation.
• Operational Excellence: Commitment to process improvement, efficiency, and quality in all aspects of accounting operations.
• Collaboration: Effective in working across departments, building consensus, and driving results through teamwork.
• Communication: Skilled at conveying complex accounting and financial concepts to diverse audiences, including board members, clinicians, and non‑financial stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, leading through change, and balancing competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• The role is typically based at the organization’s divisional headquarters, with occasional travel required to regional sites, external meetings, or industry conferences. The Accounting Operations leader must be comfortable working in a dynamic, deadline‑driven setting and adept at managing competing priorities within a large, complex health care and academic enterprise.

Preferred Job Requirements

Preferred Education

• A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is strongly preferred.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.