Assistant Controller Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL

JOB SUMMARY
The Global Assistant Controller is responsible for leading the Company's domestic accounting operations while supporting the global accounting function through ownership of the consolidation process, income tax provision, and corporate financial reporting. Reporting directly to the Global Corporate Controller, this role serves as the operational leader of the accounting organization, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of the monthly financial close, the integrity of the Company's financial records, and compliance with U.S. GAAP.
Working closely with finance, operations, shared services, and international accounting teams, the Assistant Controller will oversee the accounting activities for the Company's three U.S. operating locations while partnering with statutory controllers across the globe to ensure timely and accurate consolidated financial reporting. This hands-on leadership role combines technical accounting expertise with operational execution and continuous process improvement in a fast-paced, global manufacturing environment.

DIRECT REPORTS

• General Accounting Team – 2 persons

SCOPE & ACCOUNTABILITY

• Lead domestic accounting operations across U.S. entities.
• Own the global consolidation process and corporate financial reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly close and compliance with U.S. GAAP.
• Support income tax provision, audits, and internal controls.
• Drive process improvements, ERP optimization, and finance transformation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Domestic Accounting, Close & Financial Reporting

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process for the Company's three U.S. operating locations, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete financial reporting.
• Manage all domestic general ledger accounting activities, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Review and approve balance sheet reconciliations and ensure timely resolution of outstanding reconciling items.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, corporate accounting policies, and internal control requirements across all domestic entities.
• Supervise and develop the General Accounting team by providing coaching, performance management, and workload prioritization.
• Partner with Operations, FP&A, Treasury, and Shared Services to resolve accounting issues and improve financial reporting.

Global Consolidation & Financial Reporting

• Lead the monthly global consolidation process, including consolidation entries, intercompany eliminations, foreign currency translation, and preparation of consolidated financial statements.
• Coordinate monthly reporting activities with international finance teams to ensure timely and accurate reporting from all global entities.
• Review consolidation schedules and supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Lead the preparation of the quarterly and annual income tax provision in partnership with external tax advisors.
• Assist statutory controllers with corporate reporting packages, statutory reporting requirements, and consolidation-related matters.
• Support the implementation and consistent application of corporate accounting policies across the global organization.

Technical Accounting, Audit & Compliance

• Support the Controller in researching and applying U.S. GAAP to complex accounting matters.
• Prepare technical accounting memorandums and maintain accounting policy documentation as needed.
• Coordinate the annual external audit by preparing audit schedules, responding to audit requests, and partnering with external auditors.
• Support domestic and international tax compliance by preparing accounting schedules and supporting documentation.
• Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Company's internal control environment.

Process Improvements & Systems

• Drive initiatives to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of accounting processes.
• Identify opportunities to accelerate the financial close through automation and process standardization.
• Partner with Finance Systems and IT to optimize Microsoft D365 and other financial reporting tools.
• Participate in ERP enhancements, finance transformation initiatives, acquisitions, and system implementations.

Continuous Improvement & Change Management

• Proven track record of identifying inefficiencies, implementing process improvements, and leading organizational change within high-growth, private equity-paced environments.
• Ability to bring structure to complex and evolving situations, effectively manage high workloads and competing priorities, and serve as a trusted operational leader who reduces executive burden while strengthening team performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA preferred. Master's degree is a plus.
• Experience: 8–10 years of progressive accounting experience with increasing leadership responsibility in a global multi-entity organization. Manufacturing or project-based industry experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Demonstrated experience leading monthly close processes, global consolidations, external audits, and income tax provision preparation.
• Experience supporting statutory reporting requirements and partnering with international finance teams.
• Experience supervising accounting professionals and developing high-performing teams.
• Advanced proficiency with ERP systems (Microsoft D365 preferred), Microsoft Excel, and financial reporting tools.

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Experience with global consolidations, intercompany accounting, and foreign currency translation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams while maintaining a hands-on approach.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across domestic and international teams.
• Proven ability to identify process improvements and drive operational excellence.

#Li-Hybrid

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Working conditions are in a normal office environment. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and work at a computer for prolonged periods. The role requires use of hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment. Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds may be required. Periodic travel may be required.

DISCLAIMER

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications and may be amended at any time at the discretion of the Employer. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.