What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Accountant position at Cook's Direct?
Description
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Location: Hybrid — Woodridge, IL
Department: Accounting
Reports To: Controller
Status: Full-Time — Exempt
About Cook's Direct
Founded in 1997, Cook's Direct was the first company to specialize in food service equipment and supplies for correctional facilities. Drawing on deep operational experience, we built an organization that understands the unique demands of high-volume, high-pressure institutional environments. Since then, we have grown our partnerships to include correctional, educational, and institutional facilities across the country.
Position Overview
Cook's Direct is seeking a detail-oriented and organized Staff Accountant to support the day-to-day and period-end accounting functions of our finance team. This role owns key components of the monthly close process, manages compliance-related accounting tasks, produces financial reports, and provides analytical support across the organization. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, takes pride in accuracy, and thrives in a fast-paced distribution environment.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting Close Process
Cook's Direct, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To apply, visit cooksdirect.com/careers
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Location: Hybrid — Woodridge, IL
Department: Accounting
Reports To: Controller
Status: Full-Time — Exempt
About Cook's Direct
Founded in 1997, Cook's Direct was the first company to specialize in food service equipment and supplies for correctional facilities. Drawing on deep operational experience, we built an organization that understands the unique demands of high-volume, high-pressure institutional environments. Since then, we have grown our partnerships to include correctional, educational, and institutional facilities across the country.
Position Overview
Cook's Direct is seeking a detail-oriented and organized Staff Accountant to support the day-to-day and period-end accounting functions of our finance team. This role owns key components of the monthly close process, manages compliance-related accounting tasks, produces financial reports, and provides analytical support across the organization. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, takes pride in accuracy, and thrives in a fast-paced distribution environment.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting Close Process
- Execute month-end close procedures in accordance with the company's close schedule
- Perform inventory close processes and ensure accurate inventory valuation at period end
- Prepare and reconcile balance sheet accounts, resolving discrepancies in a timely manner
- Identify and address negative inventory issues in coordination with operations and purchasing
- Perform variance analysis comparing budget to actual results
- Manage sales permit renewals and maintain accurate records across all applicable jurisdictions
- Administer business license management, tracking renewals and filing requirements
- Oversee 1099 preparation and issuance in compliance with IRS requirements
- Maintain customer tax certificate compliance, including collection, verification, and recordkeeping
- Prepare and maintain sales tax backup documentation to support filing and audit needs
- Prepare and distribute flash reporting to provide timely financial visibility to leadership
- Coordinate year-end tax review preparation in support of external accountants or auditors
- Produce monthly leadership and bank reporting packages as required
- Generate and distribute low gross profit and negative invoice reporting for review and resolution
- Prepare cash disbursements for all ACH, check, and credit card payments
- Produce daily and weekly cash reporting for leadership, including cash position, deposits, and disbursement summaries
- Apply incoming customer payments accurately and timely across multiple payment channels
- Reconcile credit card activity and resolve variances
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- 2 years of accounting experience, preferably in a distribution, retail, or product-based company
- Solid understanding of general ledger accounting and month-end close processes
- Experience with balance sheet reconciliations and journal entry preparation
- Familiarity with sales tax compliance, business licensing, and 1099 reporting requirements
- Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
- High attention to detail with strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to manage recurring deadlines independently without sacrificing accuracy
- Experience with ERP or accounting software (QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, or similar)
- Background in inventory accounting or cost of goods sold reconciliation
- Familiarity with multi-state sales tax filing and compliance tools
- Experience supporting external audits or year-end tax preparation
- Exposure to marketplace platforms (Amazon, etc.) and related cash application processes
- Detail-oriented — catches discrepancies before they become problems and holds themselves to a high standard of accuracy
- Organized — manages recurring deadlines, compliance calendars, and reporting schedules without dropping the ball
- Proactive — flags issues early, asks the right questions, and follows through to resolution
- Analytical — goes beyond the numbers to understand what the data is saying and communicates it clearly
- Collaborative — works well with operations, purchasing, and leadership to resolve discrepancies and support decision-making
- Adaptable — comfortable shifting priorities and taking on new tasks in a growing, fast-moving company
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
- Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
- 401(k) plan
- Professional development opportunities
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- 2 years of accounting experience, preferably in a distribution, retail, or product-based company
- Solid understanding of general ledger accounting and month-end close processes
- Experience with balance sheet reconciliations and journal entry preparation
- Familiarity with sales tax compliance, business licensing, and 1099 reporting requirements
- Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
- High attention to detail with strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to manage recurring deadlines independently without sacrificing accuracy
Cook's Direct, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To apply, visit cooksdirect.com/careers