CFO Advisory, Manager - GPS - State & Local Gov't)

Financeroles; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 106,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert is seeking an Accounting Advisory Manager in Chicago to lead governmental accounting engagements, implement new standards, and ensure timely closing and reporting. You will supervise staff, draft deliverables, and advise clients on complex accounting issues within state and local governments.

The role emphasizes project leadership, client partnership, and ongoing development in GASB standards, with travel up to 40% and a competitive compensation package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Active or in-process CPA and/or CGFM certification.
• 4 years of public accounting external audit or consulting, or 7 years in state/local government finance.
• Practical knowledge of GASB standards and government accounting.
• Experience auditing or assisting with financial close for governmental entities.
• Experience with internal controls documentation and testing.
• Excellent project management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 40% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and perform engagements including ACFR preparation and implementation of new accounting standards.
• Provide government accounting support and develop tailored advisory solutions.
• Review work, delegate tasks to junior staff, and prepare deliverables.
• Engage with clients, discuss findings, and present recommendations to leadership.
• Monitor engagement economics and manage project resources to meet goals.
• Stay current on governmental accounting pronouncements and industry developments.
• Develop technical specialization and serve as a trusted advisor to clients.
• Help generate external content and foster long-term client relationships.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Analytical

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA and/or CGFM (active or in-process)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, formulas, Pivot tables)

Job description

As an Accounting Advisory Manager, you will:

Support the performance of engagements by managing and delivering timely and accurate governmental accounting including the implementation of new accounting standards, account reconciliations and financial statement closing procedures, financial statement preparation, and on-demand government accounting support. A significant portion of the work performed centers in and

around solving a government’s accounting and financial reporting challenges from staffing or event driving needs at the state and/or local government. In addition to delegating/reviewing the work of

more junior professionals, you will perform engagement activities, participate in discussions with clients, and assist with drafting deliverables. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Planning, managing, and performing a variety of engagements including but not limited to:
• Account and Financial Close and Reconciliation Assistance, ACFR Preparation, Implementation of New Accounting Standards, Accounting Analysis Related to Compliance with Laws and
• Regulations, Ongoing Best Practice and High-Performance Government Accounting Support
• Assessing and evaluating client accounting challenges, developing tailored advisory solutions and establishing the timeline and scope of engagements
• Evaluating complex governmental accounting situations and determining the appropriate treatment under GAAP
• Reviewing Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for accuracy and completeness against benchmarks such as GFOA’s ACFR review checklist
• Identifying best practices or other recommendations in clients account reconciliation or other financial processes and develop and executive level report of the findings
• Providing status updates to client leadership on the current status of tasks and any findings or recommendations identified
• Overseeing firm objectives (engagement economics) and manage resources to ensure that established goals are met on each project assigned
• Ensuring team is up to date on related governmental accounting pronouncements and industry developments and assisting with supervision of team members as assigned, including staff professional development, training, and performance evaluation utilizing firm developed tools and processes
• Developing one or more areas of technical specialization and begin to serve as a technical consultant, both internally and externally
• Developing content such as articles, podcasts, or webinars on governmental accounting matters to build brand recognition of GPS accounting advisory group
• Serving as a trusted advisor to clients, identifying opportunities for expanded services
• Developing outside relationships with a goal to foster long-term business development

What you bring to the role:

• An ideal fit for our firm displays a passion for superior client service, uncompromising integrity, excellent project management abilities, governmental accounting technical knowledge and leadership skills. We’re a fast-paced and dynamic environment so a strong sense of urgency will fit right in!
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (preferred), Finance or other business discipline
• Active or in-process CPA and/or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
• Minimum 4 years of public accounting experience performing external audit or consulting or 7 years of experience within a state, county or municipality’s finance/accounting department
• Practical knowledge of relevant professional standards and regulations such as GASB
• Prior experience auditing or assisting with the financial close for a governmental entity
• Prior experience with internal controls including documentation and testing of controls
• Excellent project management, analytical, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Solid organizational skills especially ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office products including ability to analyze and summarize data through the use of formulas, pivot tables, and related add-ins in Excel
• Ability to travel as needed up to 40%

Preferred skills and experience:

· Experience with GFOA’s ACFR Special Review Process or ACFR Preparation

· Experience with implementation of GASB standards

· Ability to troubleshoot and solve account reconciliation issues

· Prior experience coaching and developing less experienced associates

What you can expect from us:

• Our shared values that foster inclusion and belonging including uncompromising integrity, collaboration, trust, and mutual respect

• The opportunity to innovate and do work that motivates and engages you

• A collaborative environment focused on enabling you to further your career growth and continuous professional development

• Competitive compensation and a total rewards package that focuses on all aspects of your wellbeing

• Flexibility to do impactful work and the time to enjoy your life outside of work

• Opportunities to connect and learn from professionals from different backgrounds and with different cultures

Benefits Information:

Cherry Bekaert cares about our people. We offer competitive compensation packages based on performance that recognize the value our people bring to our clients and our Firm. The salary range for this position is included below. Individual salaries within this range are determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education, knowledge, skills, and geographic location. In addition, we offer a comprehensive, high-quality benefits program which includes annual bonus, medical, dental, and vision care; disability and life insurance; generous Paid Time Off; retirement plans; Paid Care Leave; and other programs that are dedicated to enhancing your personal and work life and providing you and your family with a measure of financial protection.

Pay Range:

Pay From: $106,000 to $171,000

About Cherry Bekaert

Cherry Bekaert, ranked among the largest assurance, tax and advisory firms in the U.S., serves clients across industries in all 50 U.S. states and internationally. For more details, visit https://www.cbh.com/disclosure/

Cherry Bekaert provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. https://careers.cbh.com/legal-disclosures/ contains further information regarding the firm's compliance with federal, state and local recruitment and hiring laws.

This role is expected to accept applications for at least five calendar days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Candidates must demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. Cherry Bekaert will not provide worksponsorship for this position.

Cherry Bekaert LLP and Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC are members of Allinial Global, an accountancy and business advisory global association. Visit us at https://careers.cbh.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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