Sr. Accountant

cars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 82,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Pl

New Hire Stipend for Home Office Setup

Job summary

Cars Commerce is seeking a Senior Accountant to join the Corporate Accounting and Reporting team in Chicago, IL. Reporting to the Manager, Financial & Technical Accounting, you will contribute to the monthly close, deliver meaningful analysis, and support other departments.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of US GAAP experience, CPA, and Big 4 or mid-tier firm background. You will drive process improvements, collaborate across functions, and ensure accurate financial statements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, CPA preferred.
• 3+ years in financial reporting or accounting.
• Strong US GAAP and SEC reporting knowledge.
• Experience at Big 4 or mid-tier or corporate accounting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare journal entries and reconciliations during monthly close.
• Assist in internal/external financial reporting incl. 10-K/10-Q/8-K.
• Drive process improvements and analytics for accounting.
• Develop and monitor corporate accounting policies.
• Provide timely, insightful financial reporting to leadership.
• Collaborate with departments to ensure accurate statements.
• Support SOX controls and audit processes.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Collaborative

Prioritization

SOX compliance

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

AI tools

Job description

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we're fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it's built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together - putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it's hard. It's our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

About the Role

CARS is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our Corporate Accounting and Reporting team. Reporting to the Manager, Financial & Technical Accounting, this role contributes to the monthly close process, drives efficiencies, delivers meaningful analysis, and supports other departments. The ideal candidate is looking to make their mark and put their stamp on the organization.

Responsibilities

• Prepares journal entries and account reconciliations related to complex or highly technical accounting areas during the monthly close process.
• Participates in internal and external financial reporting, including preparing portions of the Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K filings.
• Drives process improvements, system enhancements, and analytical tools that support a more streamlined, analytics-driven accounting function.
• Develops, implements, and monitors corporate accounting policies.
• Develops and delivers timely and insightful financial reporting to the Company's business leaders.
• Partners with other departments across the Company to ensure the accuracy of financial statements and to provide support on the accounting for certain transactions.
• Executes internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
• Partners with external and internal auditors to ensure the review and audit processes are efficient and effective.
• Performs other duties and projects, as assigned, to assist the Finance organization.

Required Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with all stakeholders, including senior leadership, and to explain complex accounting and reporting issues to non-finance colleagues.
• High-energy, positive, collaborative, and approachable work style.
• Proven ability to balance competing priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly to the changing needs of the business.
• Understanding of SOX compliance requirements.
• Excellent judgment and proven problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Proficiency with AI tools (e.g., Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT) to support technical research, workflow efficiency and financial narrative writing.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required.
• 3+ years of financial reporting or accounting experience.
• Strong, current expertise in US GAAP and SEC reporting rules and regulations.
• Big 4 or mid-tier public accounting firm experience, or a corporate accounting/reporting background.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.

Salary Range

$82,400.00-100,950.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-U