Accountant

About the Position

Our established Tax and Wealth Management Firm is seeking a full-time Accountant to join our Chatham, Illinois office.

This position is ideal for a dependable, detail-oriented accounting professional who enjoys working directly with small businesses & individual clients. This position will primarily handle bookkeeping, payroll processing, account reconciliation, and related accounting functions, while also assisting our tax team with tax preparation, data entry, and other responsibilities during tax season.

Prior tax experience is preferred, but not required. We are willing to train a strong accounting candidate who has the technical foundation, organizational skills, and willingness to learn.

The position offers opportunities for increased responsibility, compensation growth, and advancement as the employee develops within the firm.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform bookkeeping & general ledger accounting for business clients
• Record & categorize financial transactions accurately and timely
• Reconcile bank, credit card, and other financial accounts
• Review financial records for accuracy and identify discrepancies
• Prepare and maintain client financial statements and accounting records
• Process payroll for business clients, including payroll calculations, deductions, and related reporting
• Assist with payroll tax filings and other required payroll documentation
• Perform accounting and data entry within firm accounting and tax software
• Organize, review, and maintain supporting financial documentation
• Communicate with clients regarding bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting information as needed
• Assist with preparation of individual and business tax returns during tax season
• Enter and organize tax information and supporting documents
• Assist tax preparers with client files, workpapers, and documentation
• Help ensure client work is completed accurately and within established deadlines
• Maintain accurate and confidential client records
• Collaborate with accountants, tax professionals, financial professionals, and administrative staff
• Assist with other accounting, tax, and administrative responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred
• Previous bookkeeping, payroll, accounting, or similar professional experience preferred
• Tax preparation or tax office experience preferred, but not required
• Strong understanding of fundamental accounting principles
• Experience with bookkeeping & accounting software preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
• Comfortable learning new accounting, payroll, tax, and document-management systems
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple clients, assignments, and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team
• Dependable, self-motivated, and able to manage responsibilities with limited supervision
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding client financial and personal information

Compensation:

-Starting Salary: $50,000-$60,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications.

Employees are paid twice monthly, on the 15th and final day of each month.

There is potential for salary increases and advancement based on performance, experience, responsibilities, and continued growth within the firm.

-Tax Season Bonus

Employees may also be eligible for a Tax Season Performance Bonus.

Bonus amounts may be determined based on factors including:

• Individual tax season performance
• Number and complexity of completed returns
• Overall work volume and productivity
• Accuracy and quality of completed work
• Ability to meet established deadlines
• Client workload and contribution to the firm's overall tax-season performance

Benefits:

-Health Insurance

The firm provides 100% employer-paid health insurance coverage for the employee.

Employees are responsible for 100% of the cost of any spouse, dependent, or family coverage.

Health insurance eligibility begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment.

-Retirement Plan

Employees are eligible to participate in the firm's SIMPLE IRA retirement plan after 90 days of employment.

Employees may defer from $0 up to the applicable annual SIMPLE IRA contribution limit toward retirement.

The firm provides an employer match of up to 3% of salary.

-Vacation

Employees receive two weeks of paid vacation annually, with vacation benefits increasing based on years of service in accordance with the firm's Employee Handbook.

-Personal / Sick Time

Employees receive an additional five paid personal/sick days per year.

-Paid Holidays

The firm observes the following paid holidays:

• April 16 - Day following the traditional tax filing deadline
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• New Year's Day

Work Schedule:
-Non-Tax Season: Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Employees should expect to work approximately 40 hours per week outside of tax season.

-Tax Season: Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Employees should expect to work a minimum of approximately 48 hours per week during tax season.

Tax season is the firm's busiest period, and additional hours may occasionally be necessary based on client volume and filing deadlines.

Additional Requirements:

Because this position involves access to highly confidential personal and financial information, maintaining firm and client confidentiality is an essential requirement of employment.

Applicants must also be able to successfully complete a background check.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for someone who is accurate, organized, dependable, and comfortable working in a deadline-driven professional environment. The right candidate does not necessarily need extensive tax experience on day one, but should have a solid accounting foundation, a willingness to learn, and the ability to take ownership of their work.

For the right candidate, this position offers the opportunity to develop broader accounting and tax experience while building a long-term career within an established financial services firm.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $60,000