Strategic Director, US Accounting & Governance

McDermott Will & Schulte; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 203,000 - 288,000; Full time

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte in Chicago seeks a Director of Accounting to lead the firm's U.S. accounting operations, financial reporting, and governance.

You will shape the accounting strategy, strengthen internal controls, and drive process improvements to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant reporting across the organization. The ideal candidate has a CPA and/or MBA, at least ten years of related experience, and advanced knowledge of Excel and analytics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• At least ten years of related work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced knowledge of statistical analysis concepts, frameworks, and principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the firm’s accounting strategy to support organizational growth, operational excellence, and long-term business objectives.
• Establish and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and governance frameworks that ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Lead the evaluation and implementation of accounting standards, reporting requirements, and financial control enhancements.
• Oversee the integrity of the firm’s general ledger and financial reporting processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and transparency.
• Partner with leadership to enhance financial reporting capabilities, analytics, and business performance insights.
• Monitor key financial trends, performance indicators, and balance sheet activity to proactively identify risks and opportunities impacting the firm.
• Lead cross-functional transformation projects involving accounting systems, reporting platforms, workflows, and data governance.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that streamline accounting operations, strengthen controls, and improve service delivery.
• Establish monitoring and reporting mechanisms to assess control performance and compliance with firm policies.

Skills

Strong written and verbal comm.

Excel & analytics

Project management

Organizational skills

Attention to deadlines

Confidential information handling

Accounting strategy knowledge

Communication with leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

CPA and/or MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Excel

Job description

McDermott Will & Schulte in Chicago seeks a Director of Accounting to lead the firm's U.S. accounting operations, financial reporting, and governance.

You will shape the accounting strategy, strengthen internal controls, and drive process improvements to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant reporting across the organization. The ideal candidate has a CPA and/or MBA, at least ten years of related experience, and advanced knowledge of Excel and analytics.