Senior Accountant

Modern Process Equipment Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Modern Process Equipment Corporation in Chicago, IL is seeking a Senior Accountant to oversee accounts payable, month-end close, cost accounting, and bank reconciliation in a fast paced manufacturing setting.

This hands-on role reports to the Accounting Manager and will lead a small team, manage AP automation (Medius), COIs, revenue recognition, and AR escalations while ensuring accurate financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience (AP, G/L, close).
• Hands-on experience with bank reconciliation, cost accounting, and BOM costing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounts payable operations, including payments, AP automation, and vendor disputes.
• Manage month-end close activities, journal entries, G/L reconciliation, and cost accounting.
• Oversee accounts receivable operations, invoicing, collections, and revenue recognition.
• Direct daily workflow priorities of the accounting team and coordinate reporting.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team leadership

Prioritization & multitasking

Communication

Problem solving

Hands-on accounting

AI tools usage

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Medius

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About Us

Chicago, IL - Modern Process Equipment (MPE) has spent over 65 years building the machines behind the world's most recognized food and beverage brands, including Starbucks, Nestle, Purina, and Hershey's.

We're a family-owned engineering and manufacturing company headquartered in Chicago, and we punch well above our weight: small-company culture, global client roster, and a genuine appetite for innovation at every level.

Hear from the team: youtube.com/shorts/U4qf-PvZysU

Summary

Do you have a background in accounting with hands-on experience in accounts payable, bank reconciliation, month-end close, and cost accounting? If so, we invite you to join our team as a Senior Accountant, overseeing core financial operations and coordinating the workflow of a small team.

Job Description

As the Senior Accountant, you will report directly to the Accounting Manager and serve as the primary point of oversight for accounts payable operations, month-end close, cost accounting, and bank reconciliation. You will also oversee accounts receivable and handle AR escalations while coordinating the daily workflow of a small team. This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where your work directly impacts the business.

Responsibilities

1. Accounts Payable & Banking
   • Oversee AP operations; ensure vendor payments are current and on schedule. Handle AP escalations and vendor disputes.
   • Manage the AP automation platform (Medius), AP email, and weekly payment schedule.
   • Perform bank reconciliation and cash book adjustments.
   • Manage Letters of Credit end to end: bank coordination, document compliance, expiry tracking.
2. Month-End Close & Cost Accounting
   • Perform month-end close activities: journal entries, G/L reconciliation, deposit schedule maintenance.
   • Cost accounting: standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, inventory valuation, margin reporting, BOM costing.
   • Prepare and submit payroll reports to external payroll provider; verify hours and ensure timely submission.
   • Manage Certificates of Insurance (COIs).
3. AR Oversight & Escalations
   • Oversee accounts receivable operations; ensure all invoicing is accurate and on time.
   • Handle AR escalations, complex customer disputes, and difficult collections.
   • Review AR aging reports and flag overdue accounts for action.
   • Ensure accurate revenue recognition and customer deposit management.
4. Team & Reporting
   • Direct daily workflow priorities of the accounting team, including logistics operations.
   • Follow up on weekly and monthly reporting requirements.
   • Manage vendor and customer documentation.
   • Review and oversee expense report and commission entry.
   • Collaborate directly with the Accounting Manager on department priorities.

Skills and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field - or equivalent professional experience.
• 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience (AP, general ledger, month-end close).
• High attention to detail with ability to prioritize across multiple tasks.
• Hands-on experience with bank reconciliation and journal entries.
• Cost accounting experience - standard costs, variance analysis, inventory valuation.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (data entry, reporting, and record management).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Comfortable leveraging AI tools to improve efficiency.

Preferred

• Letters of Credit & multi-currency wire transfer experience is a plus.
• Manufacturing environment experience is preferred.
• Experience with AP automation platforms (Medius or similar) is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary + bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Opportunities for professional development