Senior Accountant - Public Accounting

Keystone Distinction Group; Highland (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Open-door leadership

20 days of personal time off

401(k) with profit sharing

Continuing education

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in North Suburban Chicago seeks a Staff or Senior Accountant with 2–5 years of public accounting experience. This role offers broad exposure across tax, accounting, compilations, reviews, and audits and aims to develop you into a well-rounded advisor.

Responsibilities include preparing various tax returns, financial statements, schedules, and assisting with audits; communicating with clients and maintaining relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting is required.
• Approximately 2–5 years of public accounting experience.
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP.

Responsibilities

• Prepare individual, corporate, partnership, trust, and estate tax returns.
• Prepare 1040, 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 returns.
• Participate in compilation, review, and audit engagements.
• Prepare financial statements, workpapers, and supporting schedules.
• Reconcile accounts to trial balance.
• Prepare accrual, fixed asset, and depreciation schedules.
• Prepare tax projections, extensions, and quarterly estimated tax payments.
• Research accounting, audit, and tax issues.
• Respond to tax notices and communicate with taxing authorities.
• Communicate directly with clients throughout engagements.
• Keep partners and supervisors informed regarding engagement progress, issues, and resolutions.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.

Skills

Public accounting experience

Client communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA or CPA candidate preferred

Job description

Staff / Senior Accountant – Public Accounting

Location: North Suburban Chicago
Experience: 2–5 Years
CPA: Preferred

A well-established and highly respected North Suburban Chicago CPA firm is seeking a Staff or Senior Accountant with approximately 2–5 years of public accounting experience.

This position offers unusually broad exposure across tax, accounting, compilations, reviews, and audits. The firm is particularly interested in professionals who want to develop into well-rounded advisors rather than being limited to a single specialty.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare individual, corporate, partnership, trust, and estate tax returns.
• Prepare 1040, 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 returns.
• Participate in compilation, review, and audit engagements.
• Prepare financial statements, workpapers, and supporting schedules.
• Reconcile accounts to trial balance.
• Prepare accrual, fixed asset, and depreciation schedules.
• Prepare tax projections, extensions, and quarterly estimated tax payments.
• Research accounting, audit, and tax issues.
• Respond to tax notices and communicate with taxing authorities.
• Communicate directly with clients throughout engagements.
• Keep partners and supervisors informed regarding engagement progress, issues, and resolutions.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.

What We\'re Looking For

• Bachelor\'s degree in Accounting.
• Approximately 2–5 years of public accounting experience.
• Experience in tax and/or assurance.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred.

Why Join?

• Open-door environment with direct access to partners and senior leadership
• Broad tax and assurance exposure
• Strong training and professional development
• 20 days of personal time off
• 401(k) and profit sharing
• Firm-sponsored continuing education
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Competitive compensation
• Career advancement opportunities
• April 15 party, summer outing, and holiday celebration
• Steps from Metra

This is a strong fit for a public accountant who wants greater client exposure, broader technical experience, and a long-term career path with a quality North Suburban CPA firm.

• The right candidate should have the ability to build relationships with clients and communicate effectively. Primary responsibilities will include:
• Preparation of corporation, partnership, trust, individual and estate tax returns.
• Accounting, compilation, review and auditing experience
• If the right candidate does not have all of the experience above, they would be willing to train you in the other disciplines butpublic accounting experience is a must.