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Staff Accountant

Chicago, IL (Hybrid workplace)

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is one of the nation’s largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.

Chicago Public Media is a 100% community-funded newsroom powered by nearly 97,000 members whose support makes our journalism possible. This sustained community investment helped drive nationally recognized work in 2025, including 29 awards from esteemed organizations, including the Public Media Journalists Association, the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.

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

 

The Opportunity

The Staff Accountant reports to and assists the Accounting Manager 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 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

  • Perform monthly close and related accounting processes and analysis (e.g., financial statement analysis, journal entries, reconciliation) in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 
  • Analyzes and prepares monthly investment journal entries 
  • Prepares and posts monthly amortization of prepaid expenses 
  • Maintains fixed asset records and prepares and posts related journal entries for in-service placement and depreciation 
  • Responsible for monthly revenue reclassification and reconciliation 
  • Assist in the completion of the monthly financial statement close process
  • Prepare monthly balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flow 
  • Prepare bank and balance sheet account reconciliations 
  • Assist with the preparation and maintenance of the annual consolidated and individual departmental budgets and quarterly forecasts 
  • Calculates and posts monthly Corporate Sponsorship commission and accruals 
  • Acts as primary liaison with the Corporate Sponsorship team and is responsible for monthly invoicing, account aging review, and ad hoc support and reporting 
  • Assists in grant reporting 
  • Provides accounting support for CPM’s annual financial audit, tax filings, and regulatory reporting 
  • Prepare budget-to-actual reports, perform variance analysis, and report significant issues to management 
  • Work collaboratively within the team, across the department, and with individuals external to Chicago Public Media 
  • Provide accounting support to management as requested 
  • Other responsibilities include but are not limited to participation in special projects or ad hoc analysis as assigned

 

Skills & Knowledge

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting 
  • Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 
  • Experience using ERP financial systems 
  • Ability to research FASB codification preferred 
  • Ability to troubleshoot and research solutions to problems 
  • Ability to manage projects in a fast-paced environment 
  • Demonstrated budgeting, time management, and organizational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

 

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 $60,000 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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