Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations

Connect Search, LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Job summary

Connect Search, LLC is seeking a Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations in Downtown Chicago to lead AP, AR, and collections while guiding accounting professionals and strengthening internal controls. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on management and offers a hybrid schedule with regular collaboration with finance leadership.

This position emphasizes process improvement, workflow automation, and high standards of financial accuracy and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting is required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting operations experience.
• Experience managing high-volume, full-cycle AP operations and receivables.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for AP, AR, and collections activities.
• Oversee high-volume financial transactions with accuracy and compliance.
• Review processes and implement improvements for efficiency.
• Strengthen controls around payment processing, receivables, and reporting.
• Coordinate monthly close and reconciliations with GL.
• Lead and develop accounting staff across multiple areas.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability.
• Support onboarding and training within accounting functions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Accounting software

Job description

Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations

Company Overview

• Our client is an established organization with a strong presence in Chicago and a sophisticated accounting and finance function. The company operates in a collaborative, service-oriented environment that emphasizes financial accuracy, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• The organization is seeking an experienced Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations to provide leadership across key transactional accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, and related financial operations.
• This highly visible management opportunity offers responsibility for leading accounting professionals, strengthening financial controls, improving departmental procedures, and implementing initiatives that enhance operational performance.
• Location: Downtown Chicago, IL
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
• Additional Compensation: Annual bonus
• Employment Type: Full-time

Why This Opportunity

• Join an established organization with a sophisticated accounting and finance infrastructure
• Take ownership of critical accounting operations and contribute to broader financial performance
• Lead and develop experienced accounting professionals across multiple functional areas
• Play an important part in shaping departmental priorities, improving processes, and strengthening financial controls
• Work closely with senior accounting leadership and stakeholders throughout the organization
• Work in a collaborative environment that values initiative, accountability, and independent decision‑making
• Enjoy a hybrid schedule offering flexibility and regular collaboration with finance leadership

Position Overview

• The Senior Manager – Accounting & Financial Operations will oversee the organization's accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, and related transactional accounting activities.
• This individual will provide leadership to accounting personnel responsible for payment processing, receivables management, and financial administration while ensuring operational accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with established procedures.
• The position requires a combination of strategic thinking and hands‑on management. The successful candidate will establish performance expectations, evaluate financial trends, strengthen internal controls, and identify opportunities to improve workflows through technology and automation.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Financial Oversight

• Provide overall leadership for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and collections activities, ensuring consistent execution of departmental responsibilities
• Oversee high‑volume financial transactions and maintain accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal accounting standards
• Review existing accounting processes and implement improvements that enhance operational efficiency
• Ensure appropriate controls are maintained across payment processing, receivables administration, and related financial activities
• Monitor departmental performance and address operational issues affecting financial accuracy or service delivery
• Coordinate monthly closing requirements associated with payable and receivable balances
• Review account reconciliations and supporting financial information to ensure general ledger accuracy
• Support financial reporting requirements and maintain appropriate accounting documentation
• Partner with internal stakeholders to resolve financial and operational matters
• Lead, coach, and develop accounting professionals across multiple functional areas
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability throughout the department
• Provide guidance and support to employees responsible for transactional accounting and financial administration
• Evaluate employee performance, identify development opportunities, and implement training initiatives
• Support onboarding, knowledge sharing, and professional development within the accounting function
• Coordinate departmental workloads and ensure timely completion of recurring responsibilities
• Foster a collaborative environment focused on accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement
• Provide leadership during process changes, system enhancements, and operational initiatives

Accounts Receivable & Collections

• Oversee accounts receivable administration and collections processes to support timely cash recovery
• Evaluate outstanding receivables, aging trends, and collection performance
• Partner with accounting personnel to identify and resolve payment discrepancies
• Review customer payment application processes and ensure accurate financial records
• Analyze receivables performance and communicate findings to finance leadership
• Develop strategies to improve collections efficiency and reduce outstanding balances
• Establish appropriate reporting and performance indicators for receivables activities
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to resolve complex account‑related matters

Accounts Payable Management

• Oversee the complete accounts payable process, including invoice processing, approvals, payment scheduling, and transaction accuracy
• Ensure vendor payments are processed accurately and in accordance with established procedures
• Evaluate processing workloads and identify opportunities to eliminate inefficiencies
• Strengthen controls surrounding payment authorization, documentation, and financial recordkeeping
• Monitor payable activity and resolve escalated processing issues
• Support improvements to invoice workflows, approval procedures, and payment processing systems
• Maintain appropriate documentation and reporting related to accounts payable activities

Process Improvement & Financial Systems

• Evaluate existing accounting workflows and identify opportunities to improve productivity, accuracy, and internal controls
• Lead initiatives involving process redesign, workflow optimization, and operational automation
• Partner with finance and technology personnel on system enhancements and implementation projects
• Develop and maintain documented accounting procedures and operational guidelines
• Establish measurable performance indicators across accounting functions
• Prepare recurring management reports highlighting operational results, outstanding issues, and opportunities for improvement
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes and improve financial reporting capabilities
• Support employee training and communication when new systems or procedures are introduced
• Implement scalable accounting practices that support changing organizational needs

Compliance, Reporting & Departmental Administration

• Support compliance with internal accounting policies, financial controls, and applicable reporting requirements
• Coordinate documentation and supporting schedules requested during internal or external audit activities
• Oversee administrative compliance requirements involving vendor documentation, annual information reporting, and unclaimed property matters
• Maintain appropriate safeguards around confidential financial information and payment records
• Establish annual departmental objectives aligned with broader accounting and finance priorities
• Monitor progress toward operational goals and recommend adjustments when necessary
• Provide recommendations to finance leadership regarding resource allocation, process improvements, and operational challenges
• Support additional accounting and finance initiatives as business needs evolve

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in accounting operations, including significant responsibility across accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Demonstrated experience managing high-volume, full‑cycle accounts payable operations
• Strong background overseeing receivables administration, collections activities, and related financial processes
• Previous experience supervising accounting managers, team leads, or multiple accounting personnel
• Proven ability to improve operational performance through process redesign, stronger controls, and more effective workflows
• Experience establishing departmental goals, monitoring performance indicators, and communicating results to senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and their application to payable and receivable transactions
• Experience reviewing financial reconciliations and supporting monthly close activities
• Demonstrated success coaching employees, providing constructive feedback, and developing team capabilities
• Ability to manage complex accounting operations while remaining involved in detailed problem‑solving and employee training
• Experience creating, documenting, and implementing accounting policies and standard operating procedures
• Familiarity with financial system implementations, workflow improvements, or automation initiatives
• Experience using enterprise accounting, financial management, or ERP platforms
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret financial data, identify trends, and recommend appropriate actions