Staff Accountant

Job Description

Staff Accountant | CFS

The Tone:
This is a full-time Staff Accountant role for a manufacturing client of CFS, conveniently located in the far north suburbs of Chicago (Gurnee, IL area). The company is seeking a dedicated individual to join a supportive, low-stress accounting team, characterized by its long employee tenure. This role is crucial for supporting essential month-end close activities and financial reporting, offering robust exposure to various areas including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and cash applications. With a hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 remote after training) and flexible start times between 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM, this position presents an excellent opportunity for recent Accounting or Finance graduates to develop a strong professional foundation in a nurturing environment.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Hybrid, Gurnee, IL

• Team: Supportive, low-stress accounting team reporting to the Controller.
• Mission: Support month-end close activities, financial reporting, and accuracy across general accounting functions.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office, Excel

What You’ll Actually Do
• Cash Processing: Accurately process a variety of cash transactions, including cash applications, lockbox payments, wire transfers, and credit card payments.
• General Ledger Management: Perform thorough account reconciliations and maintain the accuracy of the general ledger to ensure reliable financial records.
• Financial Close Support: Provide essential support for month-end close activities and contribute to the preparation of financial reporting.
• Operational Accounting: Assist with day-to-day Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable functions, including supporting daily sales and labor reporting.
• Ad Hoc Projects & Development: Support ad hoc accounting projects and reporting requests, while also learning company systems to gradually take on additional responsibilities.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This is an early-career opportunity, requiring a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a similar field. Candidates must possess a basic understanding of core accounting principles to succeed in this role.
• Experience: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel, is essential. While not strictly required, prior internship or accounting experience is highly valued, especially if it includes exposure to cash applications, Accounts Receivable, or Accounts Payable functions.
• Skills: The ability to demonstrate strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills is critical for maintaining accuracy and efficiency across all accounting tasks.
• Bonus: Candidates with advanced Excel skills, such as experience with Pivot Tables and Macros, will be given preference. Any background in process improvement or data analysis is also considered a significant advantage.