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Staff Accountant

Chicago, IL (Hybrid workplace)

About Chicago Public Media

Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.

WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards.  In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations. 

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world.  And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.

 

The Opportunity

Chicago Public Media is seeking a Staff Accountant to join our acclaimed and growing organization.  The Staff Accountant reports to and assists the Director, Accounting in the preparation and  maintenance of CPM’s financial records and transactions. The position is the primary liaison  with CPM’s Corporate Sponsorship team and is responsible for oversight of applied payments,  invoicing, account aging review, and ad hoc reporting. The Staff Accountant also assists in the  preparation of grant reporting, regulatory and tax filings, and CPM’s annual financial audit.  

 

General Responsibilities

  • Prepares and posts monthly journal entries as directed by the Dir of Acctg. 
  • Analyzes and prepares monthly account reconciliations including intercompany activity.
  • Analyzes and prepares monthly investment journal entries. 
  • Maintains fixed asset records and prepares and posts journal entries for in-service  placement, depreciation, disposals and reclassifications. 
  • Calculates and posts monthly Corporate Sponsorship commission and accruals.
  • Prepares and posts monthly amortization of prepaid expenses.
  • Acts as primary liaison with the Corporate Sponsorship team and is responsible for daily  applied payments, monthly invoicing and account aging review, and ad hoc support and  reporting.
  • Assists in grant reporting, accounting, and correspondence. Includes oversight of Net  Assets with Donor Restrictions.
  • Plays a key role in providing accounting and reporting support for CPM’s annual financial  audit, tax filings, and regulatory reporting.
  • Acts as primary liaison with the Community Engagement Team. Responsible for  creating project codes, reviewing event settlements, event and trade accounting and ad  hoc support.
  • Other responsibilities include but are not limited to participation in special projects and  ad hoc analysis as assigned.

 

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 2 years of accounting experience 
  • Public accounting experience and / or nonprofit accounting experience preferred 
  • Strong knowledge of Sage Intacct and Excel (Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and other  advanced formulas) 
  • Intellectual curiosity, initiative, and strong work ethic 
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to assess accuracy and data integrity
  • Fast learner who likes to problem solve in a dynamic environment 
  • Strong organizational skills to handle multiple projects and deadlines 
  • High level of discretion to maintain confidentiality 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field  

Certificates and/or Licenses: CPA or CPA candidate preferred

 

Compensation

The expected pay range for this position is $70,000 to $77,000 per ANNUM.

Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position.  The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

 

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.  

Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged.  We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.

 

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

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