oin a premier mid-sized CPA firm in Wheeling, IL where you will lead high-quality nonprofit and employee benefit plan audits, serve as a trusted advisor to organizations and plan sponsors, and follow a defined path toward partnership.
What you'll do
- Lead multiple concurrent audit engagements - planning through issuance - for a diverse portfolio of nonprofit organizations, foundations, and employee benefit plans (including 401k, 403b, and defined benefit plans).
- Serve as the primary relationship owner for each client, advising board members, executives, and plan sponsors on financial reporting, internal controls, compliance, and regulatory matters.
- Review and sign off on audit workpapers, financial statements, and disclosure notes, maintaining the firm's high standards for GAAP, GAAS, ERISA, and Department of Labor compliance.
- Coach, mentor, and deliver timely performance feedback to audit seniors and associates, actively developing the next generation of firm leadership.
- Manage engagement economics end-to-end: budgeting, scheduling, billing, and resource allocation across your book of engagements.
- Identify internal control weaknesses, compliance gaps, and operational improvements for clients and communicate findings clearly to board governance and executive leadership.
- Collaborate with firm partners on practice development, client retention, and identifying service expansion opportunities within the nonprofit and EBP sectors.
What you need
- 5+ years of progressive public accounting experience with a strong focus on financial statement audits for nonprofit organizations and employee benefit plans.
- Active CPA license (required).
- Demonstrated ability to manage full-cycle audit engagements and lead staff teams within a CPA firm environment.
- Deep working knowledge of US GAAP, GAAS, ERISA guidelines, and Department of Labor reporting requirements.
- Ability to work on a hybrid schedule with a mix of remote work and time in our Wheeling, IL office.
Nice to have
- Experience with single audits (Uniform Guidance) for organizations receiving federal funding.
- Prior involvement in firm business development or client proposal processes.
- Familiarity with audit technology platforms used by mid-sized regional firms.
- Experience mentoring staff toward promotion-ready performance levels.
Pay & benefits
- Base salary: $145,000 - $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with firm matching contribution.
- Generous PTO and paid firm holidays.
- Busy-season hours that are meaningfully below 4 and large national firm averages.
- Defined career-progression framework with an accelerated, transparent path to partnership.
- Continuous professional development and CPE support.
Location & schedule
Wheeling, IL (Greater Chicago area) - Hybrid, Full-time
This role features a flexible hybrid arrangement, balancing remote work with collaborative on-site time at the firm's Wheeling office.
Benefits
Vacation/PTO
Medical
Dental
Vision
401k
Bonus
Relocation
Telecommute