Staff Accountant - Contract to Hire

Michael Page; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

MPI, a well-established manufacturing client, seeks a Staff Accountant in Aurora, IL to support journal entries, reconciliations, AP, and tax compliance. The role offers broad exposure to accounting controls, sales tax, and regulatory reporting while partnering with internal and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field, strong GL and AP process knowledge, and excellent attention to detail and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting or related field
• Experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, and reconciliations
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable processes and internal controls
• Familiarity with sales/use tax compliance and vendor invoices
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Strong communication and multitasking skills

Responsibilities

• Prepare and analyze journal entries and supporting documentation
• Process and reconcile daily bank transactions
• Perform monthly account reconciliations and resolve discrepancies
• Review employee expense reports and vendor invoices
• Administer accounts payable workflows, approval hierarchies, and audit controls
• Manage corporate credit card issuance, termination, and reconciliations
• Ensure compliance with accounting and financial regulations
• Prepare and file sales tax returns and manage tax certificates

Skills

General ledger accounting

Journal entries

Account reconciliations

Accounts payable processing

Tax compliance

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

AP workflow software

Job description

The Staff Accountant is responsible for supporting general accounting operations, including journal entries, reconciliations, accounts payable administration, and tax compliance activities. This position offers broad exposure across accounting, financial controls, sales tax, and regulatory reporting while partnering with internal and external stakeholders.

Our client is a well-established manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality, precision, and operational excellence. They offer a collaborative corporate environment where employees play a key role in maintaining financial accuracy, compliance, and business efficiency.

Description

• Prepare and analyze journal entries and supporting documentation
• Process and reconcile daily bank transactions
• Perform monthly account reconciliations and resolve discrepancies
• Review employee expense reports and vendor invoices
• Administer accounts payable workflows, approval hierarchies, and audit controls
• Manage corporate credit card issuance, termination, and reconciliations
• Ensure compliance with accounting and financial regulations
• Prepare and file sales tax returns
• Manage sales tax exemption certificates and tax credit requests
• Support internal stakeholders and customers with tax-related inquiries
• Maintain tax certificate programs and respond to audit and information requests
• Assist with income tax filings and tax payments
• Support annual 1099 processing
• Research tax regulations and compliance requirements
• Coordinate with government agencies and third-party service providers
• Provide backup support for other accounting team members as needed

Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, and account reconciliations
• Strong understanding of accounts payable processes and financial controls
• Knowledge of sales and use tax compliance, filings, and exemption certificates
• Experience reviewing expense reports and vendor invoices
• Ability to analyze discrepancies and resolve accounting issues accurately
• Familiarity with ERP systems and AP workflow administration is a plus
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team player who can work cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently when needed

Job Offer

• Temp-to-hire opportunity with long-term potential
• Broad exposure to accounting, AP, tax, and compliance
• Collaborative team environment
• Hands-on ownership of key accounting processes
  

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.