2

Entry Level Cfo Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

CFO&EV Consulting Consultant - Utilities

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Visit us at Our Utilities CFO & Enterprise Value Practice sits at the intersection of two of the most dynamic transformations in industry - the reinvention of the Office of the CFO and the energy ...

Good working environment, CFO stated "they don't take work too seriously/balance with life ... * Entry level role someone directly out of college and ideally with 1 year experience in ...

Oracle Finance Consultant - Utilities

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Visit us at Our Oracle CFO & Enterprise Value (CFO & EV) practice helps finance organizations reinvent themselves through Oracle Cloud ERP. We partner with CFOs and finance leaders to modernize the ...

Finance Operations Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborates with the SVP/CFO to create the agenda for monthly department meetings, drafts and edits slides, coordinates with guest speakers, and provides prompt and actionable post-meeting notes.

Staff Accountant

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

This position reports directly to the Assistant Controller, and will be highly visible to the Controller, CFO and other members of the senior leadership team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

SAP S/4HANA Finance Consultant - Utilities

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... CFO priorities into scalable solutions that drive enterprise value, controls, and decision-ready insight. The Work: Deliver client SAP S/4HANA Finance transformation programs through your combined ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Cfo information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$53.6K

$269.6K

$412.4K

How much do entry level cfo jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level cfo in Chicago, IL is $269,629.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,400.00 and $412,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level CFO?

An Entry Level CFO is a financial leadership position designed for professionals with limited executive experience but strong financial knowledge. They assist in managing a company's financial strategy, budgeting, and reporting under the supervision of senior executives. This role is common in startups or small businesses that need financial guidance but may not require a seasoned CFO. It serves as a stepping stone to higher financial leadership roles. Strong analytical skills, financial planning, and a strategic mindset are essential for success in this position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level CFO?

To thrive as an Entry Level CFO, you need a solid understanding of financial management, budgeting, and accounting principles, usually backed by a degree in finance, accounting, or business. Familiarity with financial modeling software, ERP systems, and tools like Excel is often required, and a CPA or CMA certification can be advantageous. Strong communication, analytical skills, and leadership potential are important soft skills for success at this level. These abilities ensure accurate financial oversight and effective collaboration with executive teams to drive organizational success.

What are the typical career growth opportunities for someone starting as an entry level CFO?

Starting as an Entry Level CFO can provide a fast track to higher executive positions, especially within growing startups or smaller enterprises where advancement opportunities can be rapid. You will gain hands-on experience managing budgets, developing financial strategy, and presenting to leadership, which sets a strong foundation for roles such as Senior CFO, VP of Finance, or even COO. Many organizations offer mentorship from more experienced financial leaders and opportunities for continuing education to deepen your expertise. Demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and leadership can help accelerate your progression into more senior financial management roles.

How to get your first entry level CFO job?

Entry level CFO positions are rare, as CFOs typically have extensive experience in finance and leadership roles. To pursue such a role, gaining experience in financial management, earning relevant certifications like CPA or CFA, and developing strong strategic and leadership skills are essential. Building a solid track record in senior finance roles can help qualify for an executive-level position in the future.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cfo jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Cfo jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Cfo jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Entry Level Cfo jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Cfo jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Cfo jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Cfo job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $269,629 per year, or $129.6 per hour.

PEPI: Manager, CFO Services -- Financial Reporting Advisory (OPEN TO ALL US LOCATIONS)

Alvarez and Marsal

Chicago, IL

$125K - $190K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Alvarez & Marsal rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 72 rated business consultants


Job description

Description

PEPI - CFO Services – Manager (Financial Reporting Advisory)

OVERVIEW:

A&M CFO Services work with private equity held portfolio companies and provide our clients with solutions to preserve and generate value for their businesses. Our goal is to improve transparency by providing accounting and financial reporting advice to clients on a wide range of transactions and events, including adherence to new or revised accounting standards and effective management of the financial reporting processes.

CFO Services Provides the following pillar of services:

  • Liquidity & Working Capital Optimization
  • Strategic Analytics & Planning
  • Performance Measurement & Management
  • Business Transformation
  • Financial Reporting Advisory

FOCUS AREAS – Financial Reporting Advisory:

  • Maintain up-to date knowledge of US GAAP with a technical understanding of accounting changes (e.g. revenue recognition and lease transactions) and provide clients with recommendations and conclusions on the application of complex accounting guidance
  • Prepare and review pre- and post-deal financial reporting (e.g., opening / closing balance sheets) to meet contractual/regulatory requirements without interruptions to the standard business process
  • Investigate and remediate unexplained EBITDA volatility, unexpected financial results, or unreconciled accounts through advisory or interim management roles
  • Guide clients through the IPO readiness journey by drafting SEC reporting and providing audit support
  • Drive working capital disputes to favorable outcomes by managing the process through settlement or arbitration

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Data Collection, Validation and Analysis

  • Guide team members in information gathering approach and ensure all relevant sources of information are pursued
  • Guide and lead client interviews, ask inquisitive questions and understand different stakeholders’ perspective
  • Identify knowledge gaps, guide the team to challenge status quo, validate, disprove and/or develop better assumptions
  • Identify key business challenges, accurately forecast liquidity needs, pinpoint financial/accounting process inefficiencies and assess the organization’s design, roles and team
  • Ensure issues and opportunities are clearly and concisely presented
  • Understanding accounting and finance process flows and how information is consolidated into the general ledger, to ensure improvement and value creation

Project Management and Implementation

  • Ability to own and complete a workstream based on the pillars of services CFO Services provides
  • Ensure that project approach, timeline and deliverables are logical, reasonable and accurate
  • Set and communicate client’s expectation consistently
  • Employ actionable plans (e.g. create initiatives to optimize working capital, instill a liquidity focused culture, improve transparency in processes and organizations)
  • Identify risks and obstacles early on, create contingency plans and communicating timely with client
  • Ability to identify where the pillars of services CFO Services provides are not functioning

Leadership

  • Leverage previous experience to guide and promote team to think innovatively
  • Recognize the current skill set of team members and maximize their level of contribution
  • Share knowledge and experience, provide coaching to teammates

Financial Acumen

  • Ability to build and review various financial models, provide valuable financial analysis and evaluate accounting treatments
  • Ability to provide valuable insight and improvement initiatives to senior management and board members

ACCREDITATION/EXPERIENCE:

  • Minimum B.A / B.S. degree or equivalent from an accredited university by the time employment commences
  • Accounting major

Meeting education requirement for CPA certification in the state where you are applying for

#LI-LS1

The salary range is $125,000-$190,000 annually, dependent on several variables including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. In addition, A&M offers a discretionary bonus program which is based on a number of factors, including individual and firm performance. Please ask your recruiter for details.

Regular employees working 30 or more hours per week are also entitled to participate in Alvarez & Marsal Holdings’ fringe benefits consisting of healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages at rates determined from time to time as well as a 401(k) retirement plan. Provided the eligibility requirements are met, employees will also receive a discretionary contribution to their 401(k) from Alvarez & Marsal. Additionally, employees are eligible for paid time off including vacation, personal days, seventy-two (72) hours of sick time (prorated for part time employees), ten federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave. The amount of vacation and personal days available varies based on tenure and role type. Click here for more information regarding A&M’s benefits programs.

Alvarez & Marsal recruits on an ongoing basis. Candidates are considered as they apply, until the opportunity is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply expeditiously to any role(s) that they are qualified for and that are of interest to them.


What Alvarez & Marsal employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom