Staff Accountant

The Staff Accountant will be an integral member of our client's finance team, supporting day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring accuracy in financial reporting, and contributing to efficient close processes. This role will work closely with cross-functional teams to maintain strong financial controls and provide reliable data to support business decision-making.

This is a contract opportunity and is onsite daily in the northwest suburbs.

What You’ll Do:

• Produce accurate and timely accounting work, meeting established deadlines with appropriate supervision
• Collaborate effectively with internal departments including operations, supply chain, and procurement
• Contribute as a dependable team member while taking ownership of assigned tasks
• Communicate clearly and proactively to ensure alignment across stakeholders

Core Accounting Responsibilities:

• Support general ledger activities, including journal entries and account reconciliations
• Assist with monthly close processes, ensuring completeness and accuracy
• Prepare and analyze account reconciliations, identifying and resolving discrepancies
• Support inventory accounting processes, including tracking, costing, and reconciliations
• Assist with fixed asset accounting, including asset tracking and depreciation schedules
• Partner with operations to ensure accurate cost accounting and expense classification
• Support audits by preparing schedules and providing requested documentation

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with ERP systems preferred
• Manufacturing experience is highly preferred
• Strong attention to detail with solid organizational and time-management skills
• Effective communicator with the ability to work cross-functionally
• Problem-solver with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
• 2–4 years of accounting experience; manufacturing or inventory-based environment preferred
• Foundational understanding of general accounting principles and financial reporting
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment

About Katalyst Group:

Katalyst Group is a provider of executive search, project and interim placement solutions with expertise in supporting Accounting, Finance, and Business Transformation executives with special projects created by workforce gaps. As a human capital partner for our clients, we solve business problems across organizations in the areas of Risk and Compliance, Governance, and Technology. Katalyst was founded in 2019 to help finance executives rapidly assemble project resources to address special projects, and recruit individuals for key hires within their respective organizations.

The Katalyst team are former accounting, finance, program and project management professionals who have made a career of curating networks and connecting the dots. Our values-based culture extends to those we engage; therefore, we are selective and discerning about the organizations we support to ensure they are a good fit for those we represent.