Senior Staff Accountant

Job Title: Senior Staff Accountant

Department: Finance

FLSA: Exempt

Status: Full Time

Reports to: Controller

Customary Days: Monday - Friday

Customary Hours: This role may require occasional work on evenings, holidays, and weekends, depending on business needs.

ABOUT BLUE PLATE CATERING:

For 40 years, we have been Chicago’s most trusted partner for catered events, daily food service, and delivery. We’re a preferred partner to the city’s best special event venues from great halls and historic landmarks to downtown galleries. We partner with organizations to bring businesses and leisure travelers to the city as well as custom, daily dining solutions for Chicago’s top businesses.

Our headquarters, Larkin Hall, is a state-of-the-art facility located in Chicago’s West Loop. From our Fulton Market home, we’re mere minutes from downtown. The company is a fun, exciting place to work with a dynamic atmosphere centered of providing daily specialized food services. The Accounting Manager position is a critical part of our finance team. In this role you will have the opportunity to learn about food service and the catering business. There are opportunities to advance within the department while developing relationships with key in-house department personnel and those who we depend on from our finance partners. The finance group strives to be keep a friendly, open environment while taking pride in what we do. We seek a new member to our team to help us achieve our vision of timely, accurate reporting that makes a difference in how Blue Plate Catering operates.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Staff Accountant will work within a small team and supervise the daily accounting activities of the department including but not limited to payables, receivables and invoicing. This position will also work closely with the Controller and other department managers on the month-end close, financial reporting and analysis in support of achieving the company’s financial goals. ?

Essential Functions:

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversee the accounting staff responsible for payables, receivables, and invoicing.
• Recommend training programs for new staff and identifies training needs for current staff.
• Provide leadership and guidance to team members in a positive manner.

Responsibilities:

• Establishes internal controls and guidelines for accounting transactions.
• Creates and enters journal entries for payroll, month end accruals, depreciation, etc.
• Reconciles and audits balance sheet accounts to ensure compliance with accrual based accounting.
• Assists the Controller in the production of periodic financial reports; ensures that the reported results comply with GAAP.
• Responsible for filing monthly sales tax returns.
• Provides financial analysis with an emphasis on revenue and cost trends versus budget.
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.
• Works closely with the Controller to ensure department goals are being met.
• Partner with Sales/Kitchen/Warehouse Departments to ensure compilation of accurate final billing and the collection of accounts receivable. Attend and work Blue Plate functions as needed.

Requirements

Education and Experience: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration or other related discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 3 years of demonstrated ability to manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, closing books on a monthly basis and preparing financial reporting and analysis.
• Experience in Food Services, Hospitality or Manufacturing a plus.
• Accounting System: Great Plains, PlateIQ, COGS-Well, CaterXpert,
• Financial analysis: Budget v Actual, inter-department cost reviews
• Strong Excel Skills

Essential Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Blue Plate is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Ability to demonstrate strong affinity for Blue Plate’s mission: Our mission is to “care more” for others through food and service experiences that turn our partner’s vision into reality.
• Must be able to read and communicate in English.
• Solid knowledge of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Must be dependable and responsible.
• Demonstrates initiative and is results orientated.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Strong computer skills that include proficiency in Google and Microsoft Office Suite applications, with expert proficiency in Excel. Experience with CaterXpert and Great Plains, a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Interested in learning and embracing new technology.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Blue Plate is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• While performing the basic functions on this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• Possess the ability to fulfill any and all office activities normally expected in an office setting, to include, but not limited to; remaining seated for periods of time to perform computer entry, participating in filing activity, lifting and carrying office supplies (paper ream, mail, etc.)
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-25 pounds.
• At times, may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the positions.
• The employee frequently is required to stand, sit; use hands to feel; reach with hand and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Specific visions requirements include ability to see at close range.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Blue Plate is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Onsite position based at our Chicago headquarters
• Internal office space.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Range: $85,000 – $95,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits Overview At Blue Plate Catering, we live our core value: We Care More by offering a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to supporting our team’s well-being and growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, and paid time off (PTO) with sick leave. Additional perks such as commuter benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), free meals, and pet insurance options ensure our team feels valued. We also offer wellness rewards, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and resources to help you thrive in work and life. Blue Plate Catering complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment, including protections related to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.