Junior Accountant

Job Description

The Junior Accountant role offers a strong opportunity for an early-career accounting professional who wants to build a long-term career in the field. You will work closely with the Financial Controller and gain hands-on experience across general accounting, month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, reconciliations, ERP systems, and process improvement initiatives. This position provides broader responsibilities than a typical accounts payable/accounts receivable role, with the long-term goal of progressing into a Staff Accountant position and taking on greater accounting responsibilities within the organization.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and post accurate and timely journal entries.
• Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities, including supporting schedules and entries.
• Support general ledger accounting activities and help maintain the integrity of financial records.
• Assist with bank reconciliations and resolve any reconciling items.
• Support accounts payable and accounts receivable activities as needed.
• Prepare schedules for prepaid expenses, accruals, and fixed assets.
• Assist with sales tax filings and other compliance-related reporting.
• Maintain organized accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Assist with external audits and internal financial reporting by preparing requested information.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and strengthen internal controls.
• Collaborate with the Financial Controller to gain exposure to multiple entities and manufacturing accounting.
• Contribute to process improvement efforts involving ERP systems and other accounting tools.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 1–3 years of accounting experience.
• Foundational understanding of general ledger accounting.
• Experience preparing and posting journal entries.
• Experience performing account reconciliations.
• Exposure to month-end close processes.
• Basic understanding of financial statements.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP functions and Pivot Tables.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently after receiving training.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems.
• Manufacturing accounting experience.
• Experience working in a small or mid-sized company environment.
• Experience supporting audits.
• Experience with SAP Concur is a plus.
• Distribution or manufacturing-adjacent environments can be relevant.
• Interest in process improvement and internal control enhancements.
• Motivation to grow into a Staff Accountant role and pursue long-term career development.

Work Environment

This position is fully onsite, working Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will join a small, collaborative accounting team that is growing from two to three members, providing direct exposure to the Financial Controller and multiple business entities. The environment offers broader responsibilities than a typical AP/AR role, including involvement in month-end close, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, ERP systems, process improvements, and manufacturing accounting. The company supports long-term career development and offers benefits such as paid time off, paid holidays, a retirement plan with employer match, and fully reimbursed health insurance.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk Grove Village, IL.

The pay range for this position is $36.05 - $43.26/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)