Sr. Accountant, General and Cash

Worldpac; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Worldpac seeks a Senior Accountant to drive modernization of our finance organization, supporting timely financial reporting and helping design processes for the next chapter.

You will own GL and month-end close, lead audit coordination, mentor staff, and push improvements across reconciliation, automation, and controls, partnering with finance, operations, IT, and other teams to deliver accurate results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant month-end close experience.
• Experience leading audit requests, including internal control audits and SOX compliance; public accounting experience a plus.
• Hands-on experience with a major ERP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics).

Responsibilities

• Own and prepare complex GL entries and lead month-end close activities.
• Reconcile GL accounts including cash, payroll/benefits, and liabilities.
• Maintain documentation for monthly, quarterly, and year-end close.
• Coordinate data gathering with finance, operations, IT, and other departments.
• Advise on accounting standards and company policies; act as resource for accounting questions.
• Review entries and reconciliations; mentor junior staff on close procedures.
• Lead process improvement and automation initiatives across GL and close procedures.
• Coordinate with external auditors and prepare schedules and disclosures for audits.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Mentorship

Independence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA/CMA/MBA preferred

Tools

Excel (Advanced)

ERP systems

System testing

Job description

As a Senior Accountant, you’ll be a key contributor in a finance organization undergoing meaningful modernization, supporting accurate and timely financial reporting while helping design the accounting processes that will carry us into our next chapter. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys improving processes, and wants exposure to a wide variety of accounting functions beyond traditional month-end close.

General Ledger and Month-End Close:

• Own and prepare complex GL entries, partnering with Accounting leadership to set priorities and assignments.
• Serve as a lead contributor in month-end close activities, driving adherence to the close calendar, resolving discrepancies, and escalating risks early.
• Prepare and post month-end journal entries for general ledger accounts, ensuring proper expense and/or revenue recognition and accurate monthly financial reporting.
• Reconcile and review GL accounts related to cash, payroll/benefits, accrued liabilities, and other balance sheet accounts as assigned, including complex and judgmental accounts.
• Ensure bank and credit card accounts are accurately reconciled, with variances and adjusting items clearly identified and resolved promptly.
• Own reconciliations and system interfaces into the GL end to end, ensuring data interfaces (e.g., cash management) are accurately reflected and discrepancies resolved.
• Monitor GL accounts for unusual transactions, investigate root causes, and present findings and recommended resolutions to senior management.
• Lead the design and implementation of process improvements to GL reconciliation and close procedures, ensuring compliance with company policies and accounting standards.
• Maintain proper documentation to support monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close activities.
• Coordinate with finance, operations, IT, and other departments to gather required data, ensure smooth data integration, resolve discrepancies, and provide financial insights that support operational decision-making.
• Advise other departments on the application of accounting standards and company policies and serve as a go-to resource for accounting questions.

Review, Mentorship, and Technical Leadership:

• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and schedules prepared by staff accountants, providing clear and timely feedback.
• Mentor and coach less experienced accountants on close procedures, reconciliation techniques, and technical accounting matters, and support onboarding and training of new team members.
• Assist in developing and updating accounting policies, desk procedures, and close documentation.
• Research technical accounting issues and document conclusions in accordance with GAAP.

Process Improvement and Automation:

• Identify and prioritize areas for process improvement across GL entries, reconciliations, and month-end close, and lead initiatives to automate routine processes to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement technology tools or system upgrades to streamline accounting workflows and enhance data accuracy, including participation in system testing and implementations.

Audit Coordination:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for quarterly and year-end audits within assigned areas.
• Coordinate with external auditors for smooth execution of audit procedures, ensuring requested schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation are accurate, complete, and submitted on time.
• Prepare and review audit schedules and supporting financial statement disclosures for external auditors and regulatory filings.
• Own and document key SOX controls in assigned areas, ensure ongoing compliance, and remediate control gaps.

Requirements:

• Structured, organized, and focused, with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams in a deadline-driven close environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills, particularly in GL accounting and balance sheet management (cash, payroll, benefits, etc.).
• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations related to GL transactions and balance sheet accounts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to address inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or business stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, large data sets), proficiency in Microsoft Word, and strong working knowledge of ERP systems and reporting; experience with payroll/GL interfaces and accounting automation tools a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to review the work of others and provide constructive, actionable feedback.
• Sound independent judgment, with the ability to research and resolve complex accounting issues and elevate appropriately.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant month-end close experience and expertise in managing complex balance sheet accounts and reconciliations.
• Proven experience leading audit requests, including internal control audits and SOX compliance; public accounting experience a plus.
• Experience reviewing the work of and mentoring less experienced accounting staff.
• Hands-on experience with a major ERP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics) preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.