Senior Accountant

Greater Chicago Food Depository; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Employer-paid life and disability

Employee Assistance Program

403(b) retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Parental leave

On-site gym

ThrivePass wellness benefit

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

Greater Chicago Food Depository is seeking a Senior Accountant, Accounts Payable to lead daily AP activities, ensure accurate invoice processing, and support cross-functional accounting tasks. The role focuses on timely payments, accurate coding, and compliant documentation in a nonprofit environment.

The position requires a 4-year degree and extensive AP experience, with strong GAAP knowledge and proficiency in Excel and accounting systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience including AP processing and reconciliation.
• Nonprofit accounting experience and knowledge of grant funding and reporting preferred.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Excel and accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Manage accounts payable from invoice receipt through payment and reconciliation.
• Receive, code, and enter invoices, purchase orders, and employee reimbursements.
• Review invoices for accuracy, approvals, coding, and compliance.
• Process payments through ACH, wire transfers, and checks.
• Maintain vendor records and assist with 1099/1096 reporting.
• Support month-end and year-end close tasks and financial reporting.
• Provide audit support and maintain filing systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on AP activities.

Skills

Accounts payable

General ledger

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ACH payments

Wire transfers

Purchasing systems

Expense reimbursement systems

Accounting software

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Greater Chicago Food Depository - Chicago, IL 60632Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: DayJob Category: AccountingThe Senior Accountant, Accounts Payable is primarily responsible for managing the Food Depository's day-to-day accounts payable activities and ensuring that invoices, employee reimbursements, vendor payments, and related accounting transactions are processed accurately and timely.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable and Payment Processing

• Manage the accounts payable process from invoice receipt through payment and reconciliation.
• Receive, review, code, and enter invoices, purchase orders, and employee expense reimbursements.
• Review invoices and supporting documentation for accuracy, proper approval, coding, and compliance with organizational policies.
• Monitor the accounts payable inbox and respond to employee and vendor inquiries.
• Review open purchase orders, outstanding invoices, and payment due dates.
• Prepare and process payments through ACH, wire transfers, and paper checks.
• Accumulate and organize checks and payment documentation for processing and distribution.
• Ensure invoices and reimbursements are paid accurately and timely.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with vendors and internal departments.
• Research and resolve invoice discrepancies, duplicate payments, credits, and other payment issues.
• Maintain accurate vendor records, including payment information and required tax documentation.
• Coordinate annual 1099 and 1096 reporting and filing processes.

Accounting, Close, and Financial Reporting

• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations related to accounts payable, accrued expenses, purchasing, employee reimbursements, intercompany activity, and other assigned general ledger accounts.
• Reconcile accounts payable activity to the general ledger and investigate discrepancies before records are posted or finalized.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including journal entries, account analysis, reconciliations, schedules, and documentation.
• Maintain accounts payable schedules, spreadsheets, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Assist with expenditure, payment, and vendor reporting.
• Support the preparation of financial statements, management reports, account analyses, and budget-to-actual variance reporting, as assigned.
• Ensure transactions are recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and Food Depository policies.

Grant, Budget, and Cross-Functional Accounting Support

• Support grant accounting activities, including expenditure tracking, reconciliations, reporting, and documentation of funding restrictions.
• Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting by preparing schedules, compiling financial data, and researching variances.
• Record, reconcile, and resolve intercompany transactions and balances.
• Partner with Finance colleagues on cross-functional accounting activities and participate in cross-training to strengthen team coverage and continuity.

Internal Controls and Process Improvement

• Follow and help maintain accounts payable policies, procedures, workflows, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounts payable accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and service.
• Assist with implementing new systems, workflows, or process improvements related to purchasing, accounts payable, and expense reimbursement.
• Monitor transactions for compliance with organizational policies and escalated exceptions or concerns when appropriate.
• Serve as an accounts payable subject matter resource for employees and vendors.

Administrative and Audit Support

• Maintain organized electronic accounts payable and Finance department filing systems.
• Receive, sort, and process Finance department mail.
• Create and maintain spreadsheets, reports, and other department records.
• Prepare schedules and gather supporting documentation for annual financial audits, grant and third-party audits, and tax filings; respond to auditor requests as assigned.
• Provide clerical and interoffice support to the Finance department, as needed.
• Participate in special projects and perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required. Equivalent education and directly related experience may be considered.
• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial responsibility for accounts payable from invoice receipt through payment and reconciliation, along with cross-functional accounting experience.
• Strong working knowledge of accounts payable, general ledger management, account reconciliations, employee expense reimbursements, financial reporting, and month-end and year-end close.
• Experience with ACH payments, wire transfers, checks, purchase orders, and vendor maintenance.
• Experience supporting 1099 and 1096 filings required. Nonprofit accounting experience and knowledge of grant funding, donor restrictions, and related reporting requirements strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience using accounting, purchasing, expense reimbursement, or accounts payable systems.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to process a high volume of transactions accurately.
• Ability to identify problems, research discrepancies, recommend solutions, and implement process improvements.
• Ability to communicate accounting requirements clearly to employees and vendors with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Strong work ethic and demonstrated ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, work independently, and contribute as a collaborative team member in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling financial information.
• Ability to work in the office Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

Exposure

• Normal office environment with possible exposure to a warehouse environment.
• Regular interaction with Food Depository employees, vendors, auditors, and other external partners.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave
• On-site gym
• $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
• $250 employee referral bonus