The Company:

Czarnowski Collective is, quite literally, the sum of its parts. It’s a banner, under which, you’ll find four distinct studios: Czarnowski, Public School, Infusion, and assembly. While each studio has unique capabilities, the approach to building stand-out brand experiences is the same: We wonder. That means, every project is met with informed curiosity and imagination to deliver remarkable experiences that inspire audiences around the world.

Czarnowski combines operations, strategy, design, and fabrication to create exhibits and events that engage communities, generate brand enthusiasm and educate consumers. It’s been 75 years since we’ve opened our doors, but we’re still not resting on our reputation or accolades. We’re wondering “what if…,” anticipating what’s next, and embracing our role within Czarnowski Collective as forward-thinkers for forward-thinking brands. 

Joining Czarnowski Collective means the opportunity to be more than a number, more than a job title, more than a spectator. We are a collective of dreamers and thinkers, doers and makers…and we’re in search of more of the same to join the ranks.

The Purpose:

We are looking for an Operations Controller to join our growing finance and accounting teams, working out of our headquarters in Chicago. You will report directly to our CFO and be critical to our organization’s success; you will manage the accounting and treasury functions for the Czarnowski Collective. Primarily, you will supervise the monthly close process, monthly reporting, treasury administration, and accounts payable. Additionally, you will create and implement policies and procedures to identify, resolve, and document accounting issues and create procedures to make processes more efficient and accurate.

The Job:

• Manage all treasury and accounting functions, including but not limited to the monthly accounting close process and workpaper preparation.
• Provide oversight to the Accounts Payable Manager to ensure that the team is adequately trained, vendors are paid timely, discrepancies are reviewed and internal and external questions are answered.
• Ensure all account reconciliations and financial reports are prepared in a timely and accurate manner, including but not limited to balance sheets, income statements, and variance analysis.
• Train, mentor, supervise, motivate, and develop the accounting team; manage schedules and prioritize workflow and deliverables.

• Coordinate the preparation of annual audit workpapers and manage the annual audit process
• Partner with various stakeholders to implement, document, and maintain adequate and effective internal controls and processes to improve the close and reporting cycles to ensure timely and accurate reporting.

• Establish and maintain systems and controls that verify the integrity of all systems, processes and data.

• Prepare monthly financial statements and reporting packages, preparation of workpapers supporting the annual tax return.
• Ensure quality control over financial transactions and reporting, and develop documented business processes and accounting policies for enhanced internal controls.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards to ensure the organization's activities remain in compliance.
• Work with internal Tax Accountant to understand the sales tax process, external sales tax audits and registration requirements.
• Closely monitor the fixed asset process ensuring items are properly classified.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards to ensure the organization's activities remain in compliance.

The Person:

• Bachelors or Masters Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• 7-10 years of professional Accounting or Finance experience
• In-depth experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Teams, etc.) and accounting systems (Microsoft D365 Finance and Operations a plus)
• Extensive knowledge of accounting and financial processes and procedures
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task with strong attention to detail.
• Strong decision-making, problem-resolution, and creative thinking skills
• Team player capable of working with virtual teams across multiple locations and time zones
• A results-oriented attitude and the ability to adapt to changing priorities while meeting deadlines
• Previous Public Accounting experience preferred
• C.P.A. is preferred

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits effective within 30 days (or less) of your start date
• 401K matching with no vesting period (you are fully vested as of day 1)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Collaborative Work Environment

Collective Culture Core Values:

We recognize that the success of our business rests with the skills and efforts of our people, and in return for their contributions, our employees can expect a flexible work environment that delivers on the 10 principles that define our company culture:

• We celebrate creativity, curiosity, innovation and imagination.
• We are humble and respectful.
• We act with honesty and integrity.
• We empower and trust one another.
• We embrace individuality and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• We champion initiatives that bolster diversity, equity and inclusion.
• We prioritize safe, ethical and sustainable business practices.
• We foster a culture of meritocracy - rewarding skills and abilities, instead of influence.
• We always deliver.
• We don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Through several existing and future initiatives, Czarnowski Collective is exploring thoughtful and creative ways to embrace individuality, and more effectively champion diversity, equity and inclusion across our network.

EEO Statement

Czarnowski Collective is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We don't just accept difference – we honor, nurture, and celebrate it! All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We don’t discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.