Senior Accountant

Grainger Businesses • Lake Forest, IL

1d • $80,000 - $133,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Senior Accountant, you will support Grainger's strategy by owning end-to-end accounting processes that ensure accurate financial reporting, maintain strong financial controls, and provide meaningful financial insight that support business decisions. This role combines recurring accounting responsibilities with financial analysis, capital labor accounting, process improvement, and the use of AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and decision-making across the accounting lifecycle. Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to effectively manage recurring responsibilities while adapting to evolving business priorities. The ideal candidate builds strong partnerships, takes ownership of outcomes, and proactively identifies opportunities to strengthen processes and deliver greater value to the organization. You will report to General Accounting Manager, Controllership and work a hybrid schedule of 2 days in office. We are open to 2 days in Lake Forest, IL or 1 day in Merchandise Mart and 1 day in Lake Forest weekly.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of progressive accounting, finance or audit experience.
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of financial statements, including the relationship between the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, and related disclosures.
• Experience executing and maintaining effective internal controls to support accurate financial reporting, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Experience preparing journal entries, performing account reconciliations, and supporting the month-end close process.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data, identify trends and opportunities, and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement more efficient ways of working.
• Curiosity and willingness to leverage AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to improve finance processes and enhance decision-making.
• Experience leveraging financial systems (e.g., ERP platforms, BlackLine, reporting and analytics tools) to improve accounting processes, analyze financial data, strengthen controls, and drive operational efficiency.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with large or complex datasets.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to build effective partnerships across Finance and the business.

Responsibilities

• Leverage AI-enabled tools, automation, and data analytics to continuously improve financial processes, challenge existing ways of working, and deliver more efficient, accurate, and insightful outcomes.
• Apply a continuous improvement mindset by identifying opportunities to simplify, standardize, and enhance accounting processes while supporting business objectives.
• Apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) while performing Controllership activities and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Perform recurring month-end close responsibilities, including preparing journal entries, completing account reconciliations in BlackLine, and ensuring assigned general ledger accounts are accurate and fully substantiated.
• Analyze capital labor activity to ensure accurate accounting, capitalization, and financial reporting.
• Prepare financial reports and perform variance, trend, and financial analyses to identify key drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Partner with Finance and cross-functional business teams to provide financial guidance, support business initiatives, and resolve accounting issues.
• Maintain effective internal controls and support compliance with financial reporting requirements, including audit requests from the external auditors.
• Support quarterly reviews and annual financial statement audits performed by external auditors.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
• 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees
• 6 company holidays per year
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan refinancing
• Free access to financial counseling, education, and tools
• Maternity support programs
• Nursing benefits
• Up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents
• Up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior