Tax Manager

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Location: Libertyville, IL
Status: Full Time
Travel: None

SUMMARY

Responsible for all tax planning, reporting, and compliance functions. Oversees the accounting staff and the preparation of all tax filings and reporting in compliance with all required regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Utilize strong accounting, analytical, and tax skills to review client tax returns.
  • Evaluates the tax implications of client company activities and develops strategies to minimize the tax obligations.
  • Assist clients with estate planning, family limited partnerships, foundations corporate work, trust work, etc. on an as needed basis.
  • Advises clients on future changes to tax regulations and possible impact to their organization; effectively communicates tax consequences.
  • Use strong customer service skills to maintain/grow existing client relationships and build new client relationships.
  • Manage client budgets; update client when necessary.
  • Train, manage, and oversee all activities of assigned staff; responsible for the performance, growth, training and mentoring of these individuals as well as developing and implementing company policies and procedures. Evaluate assigned work performance & provide employee reviews, merit structure & increases; provide coaching when needed.
  • Meet regularly with Partners and reports any staff/client concerns/issues.
  • Complete project-based client work, switch jobs quickly, when needed.
  • Account for time spent; track billable hours per client.
  • Understand and adapt to factors that influence business.
  • Learn new software applications as needed.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree, in any concentration, and CPA are required. Ten-plus years of public accounting tax experience is a must. A proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and strong accounting and tax skills are also required.

A candidate with strong oral and written communication abilities is preferred. The ability to switch jobs quickly while doing project based work and the ability to interface with all levels within the company is are also preferred. A detail-oriented candidate with the ability to track billable hours by client is highly preferred. A team player with a strong customer service mentality and analytical abilities, problem solving, and quantitative skills who takes pride in their work is ideal. A candidate who is committed to process improvement and professional growth who possesses excellent organizational, prioritization, and project management skills is highly preferred. Thompson Reuters experience is a plus.

Staff Accountant

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Location: Libertyville, IL
Status: Full Time
Travel: None

SUMMARY

Responsible for client project-based public accounting work as assigned.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Prepare tax returns.
  • Ability to compile a work paper file; reconcile balance sheets accounts.
  • Create adjusting journal entries and investigate discrepancies for a client company and/or family entities.
  • Compile numbers, raise questions, and provide summaries for non-recurring projects.
  • Assist clients with questions, on an as needed basis.
  • Learn and work within Xero (cloud based software) and Thompson Reuters software (UT, WPCS, Fixed Asset Solutions, FCAB).
  • Complete project-based client work, switch jobs quickly, when needed.
  • Account for time spent; track billable hours per client.
  • Understand and adapt to factors that influence business.
  • Exhaust all avenues before going to leadership for assistance.
  • Assist on special projects on an as needed basis.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or equivalent and two-plus years of public accounting experience or four-plus years of private accounting experience are required. A proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and the ability to understand balance sheets and adjusting journal entries are also required.

Bachelor’s degree, in any concentration, and/or a CPA are preferred. A candidate with an interest in obtaining a CPA certificate is also extremely preferred. A familiarity with Xero platform and/or Thompson Reuters software is a plus. A candidate with strong oral and written communication abilities is preferred. The ability to switch jobs quickly while doing project based work and the ability to interface with all levels within the company is are also preferred. A detail-oriented candidate with the ability to track billable hours by client is highly preferred. A team player with a customer service mentality and analytical abilities, who takes pride in their work is ideal. A candidate who possesses excellent organizational, prioritization, and project management skills is highly preferred. An inquisitive nature with the ability to research why something is done a particular way is also extremely preferred. Experience in the banking industry is also a plus.

 

Growth Mode vs. Sustainability Mode

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Are you in Growth Mode? Or, are you in Sustainability Mode? Where to go from here?

 

Q1 of this year, I heard a lot of buzz about many of my clients being in growth mode. To be honest, this is nothing new to me as it seems as though growth mode is discussed more freely during that first quarter. Why? New budgets, new year, new outlook, new attitudes – mostly.

 

 

Let’s say you’re at or above your forecast for the year, now what? Now is when you should be doubling down on hiring new talent. Why not explore the possibly expanding new avenues of business? That, of course, requires finding the right talent to support the growth of your company. Talent that is invested and in it for the long-run. What better time than during growth mode to focus on what you want and to try and go after it? Go for it!

Come Q4, most of my clients are in sustainability mode – they’ve got key talent in place, and are waiting for forecasts to come to fruition, and budgets to be freed-up. However, there are some who must lay-off employees for one reason or another. Often, my clients think that we cannot assist them with this side of things. However, during this transition, there is no better assistance to provide the employee than an outplacement assistance resource.

 

Outplacement assistance is a way for your former employee to get their resume ready, dust off their interviewing skills, and receive expert guidance along the way. Most medium to large organizations offer outplacement stipends to their employees when they are being laid-off. The reason for this is is two-fold. First, it helps those employees who were loyal to them by accelerating their job search and providing tools to be successful. Second, it also helps the organization with unemployment claims as a well-prepared candidate with a targeted search will leaps and bounds be more successful than a candidate who is not.

 

Environmental Project Director

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Location: Dublin, OH
Status: Full Time
Travel: Up to 75%

SUMMARY

Responsible for building the business and brand presence through strategic new customer acquisition via outside sales for specific markets. Focused on targeting new business opportunities in environmental consulting using an established network of clients within local, state, and regional markets in and surrounding Columbus, Ohio. This position will be responsible for generating revenue out of these markets at an agreed upon profit margin.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Execute a deliberate outreach and business development strategy based on disciplined
    prospecting, networking, and information gathering.
  • Perform lead follow-ups via email and phone, and place outbound cold calls for new prospects.
  • Establish, develop, and maintain positive business and customer relationships.
  •  Uncover growth opportunities by canvassing prospective customers within assigned market.
  • Solicit new business opportunities in designated markets by visiting accounts in person.
  •  Visit with key decision makers; build and strengthen relationships.
  • Maintain contact with both current and prospective customers.
  • Manage projects and meet client expectations by assigning work to new/existing in-house support
    staff.
  • Generate new revenue and manage agreed upon profit margin for new projects.
  • Present solutions to customers tied to their business results, using a consultative selling
    methodology and economic modeling.
  • Expedite the resolution of customer problems and complaints to maximize satisfaction.
  • Coordinate sales effort with in-house staff and other departments.
  • Keep abreast of leading sales practices and trends in the environmental consulting industry.
  • Continuously improve through feedback.
  •  Work with Principal to execute sales growth strategies in the local market.
  • Sustain growth year over year in revenue and profits.
  • Successfully integrate and collaborate with other Senior Leaders as well as Managers and
    existing/new in-house staff within the Environmental Practice Group and Company.
  • Participate in the weekly project meeting to evaluate workload for direct reports and provide
    leadership an update on efficiently utilized resources.
  • Continuously improve technical acumen and complete and review work with a high technical
    quality.
  • Review weekly WEF report for trends associated with direct reports and to evaluate direct reports’
    billable goals/KPIs.
  • Conduct performance appraisals for direct reports on an annual basis.
  • Develop and implement corrective measures in consultation with the Operations Manager for any
    negative trends identified in direct reports’ performance.
  • Assist in bonus pool allocation for direct reports.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelors Degree and ten-plus years of outside consultative sales experience in the environmental consulting field/industry are required. Five-plus years of management experience (managing projects, clients, and relationships) is also required. The ability to bring over a solid client base/existing book of business is a must.

The ideal candidate must have a proven track record in sales management with a focus on accountability. High emotional intelligence, relationship management skills, and openness to feedback are also ideal. Additionally, the ideal candidate must be self-motivated and proactive with a growth mindset, highly attentive. Proactive customer services abilities, excellent selling, prioritizing, communication, and negotiation skills are also ideal. Ability to work cohesively as part of a team is a must.

Masters Degree is preferred. Certified Professional in the Voluntary Action Program in Ohio is extremely preferred.  

Picking Talent to Last: The Difference Between a Staffing Agency Vs. Talent Acquisition Firm

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The number one question we get from prospective clients is: How are you different than a staffing agency? The truth is, we differ significantly. However, to understand what we do, one first must understand what staffing agencies do

Read more →

Commercial Property Management & Bookkeeping Support

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Location: Skokie, IL
Status: Full Time
Travel: Up to 25%

SUMMARY

Responsible for supporting the existing Commercial Property Manager and Bookkeeper.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Assist with management of existing commercial properties.
  • Aid in timely completion of commercial building projects both large and small.
  • Assist with finding tenants, negotiate leases, and oversee tenant relations.
  • Collaborate with existing property management team and put forth multiple, qualified bids and well thought out purchase orders including a bid summary sheet when submitting purchase orders.
  • Work with existing property management team to review, track, follow-up with maintenance staff regarding daily work lists as needed.
  • Aid existing property management team on managing construction management as required, including: contractor selection, construction supervision, punch lists, expedite tenant build-outs.
  • Assist property management team in property level accounting, including entering rents and expenses, tracking various tenant fees, expense reimbursements, etc.
  • Assist existing Bookkeeper in entering payable/receivable invoices in Yardi.
  • Aid in monitoring accounts receivable and performing collection duties when invoices are past due including resending invoices, issuing monthly statements, and contacting customers for payment.
  • Work with existing Bookkeeper to perform analysis of projects to monitor progress, profitability, and comparison of actual costs and time spent to estimated amounts.  
  • Prepare monthly journal entries and account analysis as assigned; maintain financial records.
  • Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations including bank and credit cards.
  • Accurately process of accounts payable invoices in a timely manner.
  • Assists in external audits.
  • Aid in reconciliation of vendor statements, research and correct discrepancies.
  • Help existing Bookkeeper with cash flow management and transfers between accounts
  • Prepare Expense reports and reimbursements as assigned.
  • Assist with summarizing property level cash flows and calculate returns (cash flow and internal rate of return) on real estate investments.
  • Assist with internal and external transfers to and from 30+ bank accounts.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School diploma, or equivalent is required. One-plus years of bookkeeping experience is also required. Additionally, one-plus years of property management experience required.

The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to problem solve with minimal direction and supervision; solution focused. High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to manage time effectively, and ability to compile information and create reports on an as needed basis are a must. Additionally, the ideal candidate must have the ability to work under strict timelines and be able to manage large amounts of data in an organized fashion.

Experience using Yardi bookkeeping software is preferred. Real estate background and/or experience working in a sales environment is extremely preferred.

NYC Regional Sales Consultant

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Location: Manhattan/Brooklyn (NYC Metro)
Status: Full Time
Travel: Up to 75%

 

SUMMARY

Responsible for building the business and brand presence through strategic new customer acquisition via street sales for a specific metropolitan market/region. Focused on targeting new business opportunities within three channels: restaurants, hotels, and specialty grocers.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Execute a deliberate outreach and sales strategy based on disciplined prospecting, networking, and information gathering.
  • Perform lead follow-ups via email and phone, and place outbound cold calls for new prospects.
  • Establish, develop, and maintain positive business and customer relationships.
  • Uncover growth opportunities by canvassing prospective customers within assigned region.
  • Solicit new business opportunities in designated markets by visiting accounts in person.
  • Visit with key decision makers; build and strengthen relationships.
  • Present new products to current accounts; close new business within these accounts.
  • Maintain contact with both current and prospective customers.
  • Work with all teams to process orders and successfully coordinate business needs.
  • Manage and predict revenue through a CRM; fully understand the math of your sales activity and results.
  • Present solutions to customers tied to their business results, using a consultative selling methodology and economic modeling.
  • Expedite the resolution of customer problems and complaints to maximize satisfaction.
  • Coordinate sales effort with team members and other departments.
  • Keep abreast of leading sales practices and trends in the food and beverage industry.
  • Continuously improve through feedback.
  • Work with coach to execute sales growth strategies in the local market.
  • Think like a business owner, and influence the thinking of other business owners.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma, or equivalent, and a minimum of three-plus years of inside and/or outside consultative sales experience OR three-plus years of customer service experience in the food and beverage industry are required.

The ideal candidate must possess a demonstrated passion for selling and growing business in an entrepreneurial environment, as well as, the ability to prioritize and negotiate. A self-motivated and proactive candidate with high emotional intelligence, relationship management skills, and an openness to feedback is a required. The ideal candidate must also have a growth mindset (not fixed) and the ability to think disruptively (i.e. – not a status quo thinker). A highly attentive and proactive team player who can work independently is also required. Strong customer service abilities are an absolute must.

Additionally, strong communication and presentation skills, and a high level of comfort explaining or demonstrating products to a variety of individuals/groups are preferred. A proven track record in sales and sales management with a focus on accountability is also preferred. Additionally, the ability to and read financial statements and tie strategy/actions to financial performance, as well as, the ability to pull and analyze sales reports from cloud-based CRMs (like Salesforce) are also preferred.

 

Chicago Regional Sales Consultant

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Location: Chicago, IL
Status: Full Time
Travel: Up to 75%

 

SUMMARY

Responsible for building the business and brand presence through strategic new customer acquisition via street sales for a specific metropolitan market/region. Focused on targeting new business opportunities within three channels: institutional foodservice, office, and specialty grocers.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Execute a deliberate outreach and sales strategy based on disciplined prospecting, networking, and information gathering.
  • Perform lead follow-ups via email and phone, and place outbound cold calls for new prospects.
  • Establish, develop, and maintain positive business and customer relationships.
  • Uncover growth opportunities by canvassing prospective customers within assigned region.
  • Solicit new business opportunities in designated markets by visiting accounts in person.
  • Visit with key decision makers; build and strengthen relationships.
  • Present new products to current accounts; close new business within these accounts.
  • Maintain contact with both current and prospective customers.
  • Work with all teams to process orders and successfully coordinate business needs.
  • Manage and predict revenue through a CRM; fully understand the math of your sales activity and results.
  • Present solutions to customers tied to their business results, using a consultative selling methodology and economic modeling.
  • Expedite the resolution of customer problems and complaints to maximize satisfaction.
  • Coordinate sales effort with team members and other departments.
  • Keep abreast of leading sales practices and trends in the food and beverage industry.
  • Continuously improve through feedback.
  • Work with coach to execute sales growth strategies in the local market.
  • Think like a business owner, and influence the thinking of other business owners.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma, or equivalent, and a minimum of three-plus years of inside and/or outside consultative sales experience OR three-plus years of customer service experience in the food and beverage industry are required.

The ideal candidate must possess a demonstrated passion for selling and growing business in an entrepreneurial environment, as well as, the ability to prioritize and negotiate. A self-motivated and proactive candidate with high emotional intelligence, relationship management skills, and an openness to feedback is a required. The ideal candidate must also have a growth mindset (not fixed) and the ability to think disruptively (i.e. – not a status quo thinker). A highly attentive and proactive team player who can work independently is also required. Strong customer service abilities are an absolute must.

Additionally, strong communication and presentation skills, and a high level of comfort explaining or demonstrating products to a variety of individuals/groups are preferred. A proven track record in sales and sales management with a focus on accountability is also preferred. Additionally, the ability to and read financial statements and tie strategy/actions to financial performance, as well as, the ability to pull and analyze sales reports from cloud-based CRMs (like Salesforce) are also preferred.

Channel Account Manager

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Location: Milwaukee, WI
Status: Full Time
Travel: Minimal

SUMMARY

Responsible for accurately and precisely planning and buying high quality cost effective products from vendors at the best possible price with a minimum of capital investment while achieving a high level of customer service.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

    • Responsible for procurement and delivery of assigned goods or services needed to meet customer deadlines.
    • Initiate transactions for Marketing, Packaging & Concentrates.
    • Expertise in analyzing inventory order patterns and sales data to provide input for strategic purchasing decisions; negotiate pricing and handle price dispute resolutions.
    • Solicit and evaluate quotations, place and amend purchase orders, and follow up on vendor commitments for assigned goods or services; manage vendor relationships.
    • Maintain the accuracy of purchase item data.
    • Analyze and solve complex purchasing problems with other departments.
    • Continuously evaluate and improve purchasing procedures.
    • Recommend process improvements and innovative solutions to support achievement of goals as related to vendors and goods or services.   
    • Create Purchase Orders (PO), review, and analyze PO details by conducting receiving audits.
    • Manage and track all customer orders.
    • Successfully transact and build competencies with inbound logistics.
    • Analyze and coordinate transactions for other procurement spend as directed.
    • Solicit and provide necessary documentation for compliance and A/P Vouchers.
    • Perform reporting duties on a frequent basis.
    • Analyze, maintain and evolve Purchasing Plans;
    • Follow all food safety protocols as required by food safety management system, as related to this position.
    • Provide direct and up to date Purchasing insight through Buyer activities.
    • Demonstrate an aptitude for supporting procurement activities as it pertains to analysis of purchasing, inventory and cost accounting.
    • Conduct transactional duties – Procurement to Accounts Payable.
    • Support Executive Leadership objectives.
    • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelors Degree in any concentration and a minimum of one-plus years of inside sales experience (growing sales through new customer acquisition and/or customer retention and/or realizing growth opportunities within the current customer base) are required.

The ideal candidate must possess a demonstrated passion for selling and growing business in an entrepreneurial environment as well as the ability to sell into large customers/accounts. A self-motivated and proactive candidate with a strong sense of collaboration is also a must.

Additionally, strong presentation skills and a high level of comfort explaining or demonstrating products to a variety of individuals/groups are preferred. A highly attentive and proactive team player with strong customer services abilities is also preferred.

Experience with coffee, specialty food, natural and organic, wine or tea is strongly preferred.

 

Web & Graphic Designer

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Location: Gardena, CA
Status: Full Time
Travel: Minimal

SUMMARY

The Web & Graphic Designer creates beautiful visual designs and intuitive experiences that deliver on our brand promise. This position will design and construct digital assets including web, social, email, and display ad assets that elevate our online brand presence and optimize for conversion. The Web and Graphic Designer’s main objective will be to help deliver a compelling, engaging brand experience via all of Educational Insights’ digital touch points and to help drive direct sales.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities may include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Design, build, and manage creative components of all Educational Insights’ online and digital properties, including but not limited to websites, e-mail, social media, and digital display ads.
  • Candidate will collaborate closely with key stakeholders, including Marketing Director and Creative Director, to visually design and execute the vision outlined in creative briefs and in the marketing calendar.
  • Work with Marketing, Creative, and Product teams to ensure brand standards are being followed consistently across the organization and when necessary, help define new standards as brands evolve.
  • Manage web and digital marketing deliverable timelines, clearly communicate dependencies, and manage expectations of team and manager.
  • Manage the technical implementation of digital creative, working within the current eCommerce platform constraints, and also creatively problem-solving to work around these constraints to enhance site/user experience.
  • Lead the management and execution of ongoing user experience improvements, including the creation, translation, and interpretation of design wireframes and mockups to HTML and WordPress skins.
  • Work with third party vendors and become a savvy user of their tools (examples include email and software integrated into the website) to support overall user experience and sales goals.
  • Contribute to marketing strategy through team brainstorms; via leading usability and user testing; and through creative testing.
  • Other duties for this role will be assigned as necessary/appropriate.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required:

  • Bachelor’s Degree – any concentration.
  • Five-plus years of visual design AND web front-end development and/or email development.
  • Must be proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.).

Preferred:

  • Strong understanding of user-interface, user centered design and usability principles, as well as web standards, responsive design, and cross-browser compatibility. Experience optimizing images and web pages for optimal user experience.
  • Hands-on knowledge and understanding of:
    • Current web mark-up or scripting languages and libraries: XHTML/HTML5, CSS/CSS3, JavaScript and jQuery.
    • Development of HTML/CSS that matches a Photoshop design layout, and thorough understanding of how mock-ups translate to code.
    • Social Media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest, and best practices for deploying creative, text, and video on each platform.
    • Deep understanding of and experience developing and promoting a strong, transformative brands.
  • Experience creating innovative social campaign creative, dynamic display ads and mobile-friendly emails.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of users and support staff.
  • Exceptional conceptual and creative skills.
  • Leadership mentality and entrepreneurial spirit is a must.
  • Self-managed and able to work collaboratively in team environment.
  • Champion for change – open and flexible to ever-changing processes, and possesses strong organizational skills.