AP/AR Accountant in Chicago, Illinois at Casa Central

Position Summary:

The Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Purchasing Accountant is responsible for performing accounting, purchasing, and clerical functions to ensure accurate and timely processing of financial transactions. This role manages the full cycle of accounts payable and accounts receivable activities, including invoice processing, payment execution, collections, and reconciliations, and supports purchasing activities to ensure proper authorization, documentation, and cost control.

The position supports month‑end close activities by preparing journal entries, completing account reconciliations, and resolving discrepancies. The role also assists with audit preparation by maintaining organized records and providing required documentation. In addition, the role supports purchasing operations, including processing purchase orders, coordinating with vendors, verifying receipt of goods and services, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures.

This position requires strong attention to detail, knowledge of accounting principles, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.

Include the following, other duties as assigned:

Accounts Payable & Receivable Management

Manage the full cycle of Accounts Payable, from receiving and verifying invoices to processing payments and maintaining vendor and staff relationships. Oversee Accounts Receivable processes, including issuing invoices, tracking payments, and following up on overdue accounts. Actively manage collections activities, including communicating with internal program teams and external customer, escalating delinquent accounts as appropriate and resolving billing discrepancies. Monitor and reconcile daily bank transactions, ensuring cash balances are accurate and discrepancies are addressed promptly. Apply customer payments to accounts receivable, research and resolve unapplied cash, short payments, and billing differences in a timely manner.

Maintain organized and accurate records in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

General Ledger & Financial Reporting

Prepare journal entries to ensure the general ledger reflects accurate and up-to-date financial data. Assist with month-end close activities, including reconciling balance sheet accounts, preparing accruals, and supporting interagency reconciliations. Support financial reporting by preparing data for variance analyses including budget‑to‑actual and trend analyses and ad-hoc requests.

Purchasing Responsibilities

Support purchasing operations as assigned, including processing approved purchase orders, coordinating with vendors, verifying receipt of goods and services, and ensuring transactions align with budgetary and authorization requirements.

Audit & Special Projects

Provide audit support by compiling schedules, gathering documentation, and responding to auditor inquiries in a timely manner. Participate in special projects such as process automation, ERP enhancements, and cross-functional initiatives that improve efficiency and accuracy.

General Requirements:

Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Will be subject to drug and alcohol screening, as well as aptitude and skills testing. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Three to five years of related experience in accounting or finance operations with proven hands-on Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable expertise, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills:

Excellent communication skills for working with vendors, funders, auditors, and internal teams.

Computer Literacy & Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Proficiency with accounting software and advanced spreadsheets. Examples are: NetSuite, Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data validation), and Word. Software may vary.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent. Strong understanding of journal entries and reconciliations.

Operating Environment and Working Relationships:

Works collaboratively and routinely with management staff and Agency staff. Must have the ability to express one-self clearly and effectively; superior interpersonal skills. Must have the ability to get along with diverse persons and personalities. Must be tactful, mature, and flexible with a collaborative approach and willingness to adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Decision Making Authority:

Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks. Displays a proactive problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify issues and propose solutions.

Remote Work/Technology (WIFI)/Mobile Phone Usage:

Not eligible for remote work. A personal mobile phone is not required and therefore not eligible for mobile phone reimbursement.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands. Must be able to lift and carry 25lbs.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. The content of this job description is not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.