Financial Accountant: Close, Reconciliations & Insights

FHLBank Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

5 weeks PTO

11 paid holidays per year

Remote work options

Casual dress code

Job summary

FHLBank Chicago is seeking an Accountant to support the accuracy and integrity of financial information. You will prepare reconciliations, journal entries, analyses, and schedules while contributing to monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities.

This role suits a detail-oriented accounting professional who thrives on cross-team collaboration, problem solving, and improving processes within a financial services environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 2+ years of relevant accounting experience.
• Intermediate knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate and resolve routine accounting issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong attention to accuracy, completeness, and detail.
• Ability to organize priorities, meet deadlines, and independently manage routine assignments.
• Initiative and follow-through, including the ability to identify issues and support practical process improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across the organization.
• A dependable, team-oriented approach and willingness to learn and share process knowledge.
• Ability to learn and work within financial systems, reconciliation tools, and reporting applications.
• CPA or progress toward a CPA designation is a plus.
• Experience with BlackLine, Tableau Prep, and Workday is a plus

Responsibilities

• Help ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records through account reconciliations, journal entries, financial analysis, and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities.
• Analyze account activity, revenues, expenses, and variances to identify issues and communicate relevant findings.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities, escalating unusual matters when appropriate.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate financial data, schedules, and documentation.
• Help strengthen accounting processes by identifying practical opportunities to improve accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.
• Compile and analyze financial information supporting monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and financial analyses for assigned accounting areas.
• Support accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities.
• Maintain financial records in accordance with established accounting policies, procedures, and control requirements.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies within your assigned scope.
• Prepare financial statements, reports, data, and supporting documentation requested by senior accounting staff and management.
• Provide financial data and schedules in support of internal and external audits.
• Analyze assigned account activity, revenues, expenses, and variances and communicate relevant findings.
• Participate in defined projects, process changes, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner with accounting, business, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Prepare ad hoc reporting and analysis as needed.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Organization & prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

BlackLine

Tableau Prep

Workday

Excel

Job description

FHLBank Chicago is seeking an Accountant to support the accuracy and integrity of financial information. You will prepare reconciliations, journal entries, analyses, and schedules while contributing to monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities.

This role suits a detail-oriented accounting professional who thrives on cross-team collaboration, problem solving, and improving processes within a financial services environment.