Senior Accountant - Public Accounting
Top Echelon Network (recruiter member boards)
Highland Park, IL · Posted August 13, 2026
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This listing does not state pay. Across 403 open senior accountant listings that state pay, the middle half runs $87,500 to $112,500 and the median is $100,000.
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About the job
Staff / Senior Accountant – Public Accounting
Location: North Suburban Chicago Experience: 2–5 Years CPA: Preferred
A well-established and highly respected North Suburban Chicago CPA firm is seeking a Staff or Senior Accountant with approximately 2–5 years of public accounting experience.
This position offers unusually broad exposure across tax, accounting, compilations, reviews, and audits . The firm is particularly interested in professionals who want to develop into well-rounded advisors rather than being limited to a single specialty.
Primary Responsibilities
Prepare individual, corporate, partnership, trust, and estate tax returns.
Prepare 1040, 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 returns.
Participate in compilation, review, and audit engagements.
Prepare financial statements, workpapers, and supporting schedules.
Reconcile accounts to trial balance.
Prepare accrual, fixed asset, and depreciation schedules.
Prepare tax projections, extensions, and quarterly estimated tax payments.
Research accounting, audit, and tax issues.
Respond to tax notices and communicate with taxing authorities.
Communicate directly with clients throughout engagements.
Keep partners and supervisors informed regarding engagement progress, issues, and resolutions.
Build and maintain strong client relationships.
What We're Looking For
Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
Approximately 2–5 years of public accounting experience .
Experience in tax and/or assurance.
Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
Strong client-facing and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
CPA or CPA candidate preferred.
Why Join?
Open-door environment with direct access to partners and senior leadership
Broad tax and assurance exposure
Strong training and professional development
20 days of personal time off
401(k) and profit sharing
Firm-sponsored continuing education
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Flexible schedule
Competitive compensation
Career advancement opportunities
April 15 party, summer outing, and holiday celebration
Steps from Metra
This is a strong fit for a public accountant who wants greater client exposure, broader technical experience, and a long-term career path with a quality North Suburban CPA firm.
The right candidate should have the ability to build relationships with clients and communicate effectively. Primary responsibilities will include:
Preparation of corporation, partnership, trust, individual and estate tax returns.
Accounting, compilation, review and auditing experience
If the right candidate does not have all of the experience above, they would be willing to train you in the other disciplines but public accounting experience is a must.