Staff Accountant

JSH Tax & Business Consulting; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Job summary

Jones, Savarese, Harrington & Company in St. Charles, IL is seeking a Staff Accountant to maintain financial records for a diverse client portfolio, manage general ledger activities, and help prepare financial statements and tax filings in a public accounting environment.

You'll work directly with clients, handle multiple engagements, ensure deadlines are met, and uphold confidentiality while applying GAAP principles and proficient use of QuickBooks Online and Excel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of public accounting experience.
• Proficient in QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong GAAP knowledge.
• Experience in payroll and sales tax filings.
• Ability to manage multiple client engagements and deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for client interaction.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of client information.

Responsibilities

• Maintain general ledger for multiple clients across various industries.
• Manage accounts payable/receivable, check register, and payroll processing.
• Reconcile bank, credit card, and loan accounts monthly.
• Record reconciling journal entries and adjustments.
• Prepare payroll tax returns (941, 940, IL-941, UI-3/40).
• Prepare sales and use tax returns.
• Assist with individual and business tax preparation as needed.
• Communicate with clients regarding account status and documentation.
• Manage multiple client engagements while meeting deadlines.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Public accounting experience

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Client interaction

Discretion/confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Tools

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Desktop

Microsoft Excel

Payroll tax software (e.g., IL-941)

Job description

Jones, Savarese, Harrington & Company is a growing, medium-sized public accounting firm based in St. Charles, IL. We serve a diverse client base across multiple industries and pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service, technical excellence, and a collaborative team environment. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a driven and detail-oriented Staff Accountant to join our team.

Position Overview

The Staff Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records for a portfolio of clients, managing general ledger activities, and supporting the preparation of financial statements and tax filings. This is a client-facing role within a public accounting environment — candidates must have direct public accounting experience and be comfortable managing multiple clients and deadlines simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain general ledger for multiple clients across various industries.
• Manage accounts receivable, accounts payable, check register, and payroll processing.
• Reconcile bank, credit card, and loan accounts monthly.
• Record reconciling journal entries and adjustments.
• Prepare quarterly and annual payroll tax returns (941, 940, IL-941, UI-3/40)
• Prepare sales and use tax returns.
• Assist with individual and business income tax preparation as needed.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding account status, documentation needs, and financial questions.
• Manage multiple client engagements simultaneously while meeting firm deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of experience in public accounting (CPA firm environment)
• Proficient in QuickBooks Online (QBO) daily working knowledge required.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field
• Proficient in QuickBooks Desktop
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Strong understanding of GAAP and accounting principles
• Experience in preparing payroll tax returns and sales tax filings.
• Ability to manage multiple client engagements and prioritize competing deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for direct client interaction
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all client’s financial information.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA license or actively pursuing CPA designation
• Income tax preparation experience (individual and/or business returns)
• Experience with tax software such as UltraTax, Lacerte, or Drake
• Familiarity with payroll platforms such as ADP, Gusto, or Paychex

Why Join Our Team?

• Be part of a growing firm with a powerful reputation in the St. Charles community.
• Work with a diverse, multi-industry client base that keeps the work varied and engaging.
• Collaborative, supportive team culture with opportunities for advancement
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• Benefits packages include health insurance and retirement plans.