Find & Apply For Bookkeeper / Accounting Clerk Jobs in Niles, Illinois

Job Summary We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to support day-to-day accounting operations, maintain accurate financial records, analyze data, and ensure timely completion of financial processes. The primary focus of the role will be AR collections to support the company's cash flow objectives through the timely collection of outstanding customer balances. This role involves daily outbound phone calls to customers to resolve past-due balances and is responsible for managing the portfolio of accounts, proactively contacting customers regarding past-due invoices, resolving payment disputes, researching account discrepancies, and maintaining accurate account records. The ideal candidate combines strong communication and relationship-building skills with a high degree of organization, persistence, and analytical ability. Success in this role requires the ability to prioritize multiple collection activities, analyze account information, utilize Excel to manage and interpret data, identify issues impacting payment, and collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to achieve timely resolution. The successful candidate takes ownership of their accounts, follows through on commitments, and consistently works to improve collection performance while maintaining positive customer relationships. support day-to-day accounting operations, maintain accurate financial records, analyze data, and ensure timely completion of financial processes. Core Responsibilities & Expected Outcomes The individual in this role will be expected to: Process and maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation. Prepare, reconcile, and review accounting transactions and reports. Analyze financial and operational data to identify discrepancies, trends, and opportunities for improvement. Organize and maintain accounting files and records in a manner that supports audit readiness and operational efficiency. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to resolve issues and obtain required information. Prioritize workload and consistently meet deadlines while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements to increase effectiveness and reduce risk. Take ownership of assigned responsibilities through completion and follow-up. Required Technical Skills (Day-One Requirements) MS Excel Proficiency Candidates must be able to demonstrate practical working knowledge of: Pivot Tables VLOOKUP Formulas and functions Sorting and filtering large data sets Basic data analysis and manipulation Identification of data inconsistencies and errors Creation and maintenance of organized spreadsheets Candidates should be able to independently build and modify spreadsheets used for reporting, analysis, and reconciliation activities. Accounting Knowledge Understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting concepts. Experience working with accounting systems and financial data. Ability to reconcile transactions and investigate discrepancies. Skills We Are Willing to Teach Company-specific accounting procedures. Internal reporting processes. Proprietary systems and software. Department-specific workflows and documentation standards. Role-specific process improvement methodologies. Critical Soft Skills & Behaviors Organization Effectively manages multiple priorities and deadlines. Maintains accurate records and follows established processes. Attention to Detail Consistently produces accurate work. Identifies errors before they become larger issues. Problem Solving Investigates issues thoroughly. Uses data and facts to develop solutions. Communication Clearly communicates issues, recommendations, and status updates. Works collaboratively with stakeholders across the organization. Ownership & Follow-Through Takes responsibility for assigned work. Follows tasks through to completion without requiring extensive oversight. Adaptability Responds effectively to changing priorities and business needs. Preferred Qualifications Previous accounting, finance, bookkeeping, or related experience. Experience analyzing and working with moderately complex data sets. Prior experience improving processes or implementing efficiencies. Experience in a fast-paced business environment. Assessment Requirements Because Excel and analytical skills are critical to success in this role, candidates who advance to the interview process will complete a practical skills assessment designed around real-world work scenarios. The assessment will require candidates to organize and analyze data, utilize Excel functions, identify issues, and summarize findings. Success in This Role Within this role, a successful employee will: Maintain customer accounts with consistent follow-up and documentation. Reduce past-due balances and improve collection rates through proactive customer outreach. Resolve payment disputes and deductions in a timely manner. Collaborate effectively with sales, customer service, and accounting teams to remove barriers to payment. Utilize Excel and other systems to analyze account activity and prioritize collection efforts. Consistently meet established collection, aging, and customer service goals while maintaining positive customer relationships. This is an in-office position, M-F.

Pay:

$26.00 - $28.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Experience:

Microsoft Excel:

2 years (Required) Phone etiquette: 1 year (Required)

Work Location:

In person