Senior Accountant

As a Senior Accountant at our Chicago location, your primary responsibilities will include managing the month-end close processes, preparing monthly financial statements, and assisting in the drafting of U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements. You'll also research technical accounting literature and collaborate with both internal teams and external auditors to effectively resolve any technical accounting matters that arise.

To be considered for the Senior Accountant role in our Chicago office, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and be on the path to earning their CPA. Additionally, 3+ years of accounting experience is required, with a preference for candidates coming from Big 4 public accounting. Knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting experience are significant assets.

Preparing for the technical aspects of the Senior Accountant position involves a strong grasp of U.S. GAAP principles and the ability to research technical accounting topics. Candidates should familiarize themselves with accounting literature relevant to capitalized software development costs, stock-based compensation, and international consolidations, which are specific duties within this role at our Chicago company.

Communication is a crucial element of the Senior Accountant role at our Chicago firm. You will need to articulate complex accounting concepts clearly to various stakeholders, including external auditors and internal team members. Your ability to foster these relationships and manage communications effectively can greatly impact the success of the month-end close and resolution of accounting matters.

For the Senior Accountant position in Chicago, intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel are essential. Familiarity with Sage Intacct or other comparable ERP systems is also preferred, as these tools will aid in your daily accounting functions and facilitate accurate financial reporting.

When answering this question, focus on your specific responsibilities during the month-end close, such as the types of accounts you've reconciled, your approach to managing tight deadlines, and how you ensure accuracy in your financial reports.

A good response would involve mentioning credible resources like accounting journals, professional organizations, and attending relevant seminars. Highlight how you apply this knowledge to your work and ensure compliance in financial reporting.

In your answer, discuss a specific situation where you identified a technical accounting issue, the steps you took to research and resolve it, and the outcome. This showcases your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge.

Discuss the software and methodological approach you've employed in your previous roles for financial analysis, emphasizing how you've used these tools to improve accuracy and efficiency in producing financial statements.

Explain your time management strategies, such as setting priorities based on deadlines, categorizing tasks, and delegating responsibilities where appropriate to ensure a smooth month-end close.

Share instances where you've contributed to or managed the preparation of consolidated financial statements, discussing your understanding of the components involved, and the challenges you faced during that process.

Highlight your collaborative approach when engaging with external auditors, including how you ensure transparency, prepare necessary documentation, and address any questions or concerns that arise during their review.

Detail your process for researching technical accounting issues, including specific resources you utilize, like accounting databases or guidelines, and how you synthesize this information into actionable insights.

When responding, provide examples of how you've handled foreign currency transactions, balance sheet reconciliations, or dealt with international finance regulations, showing your familiarity with global accounting practices.

Share a specific special project you've worked on, detailing your role, the objectives of the project, and what impact your contributions had on the overall success of the initiative.