Fractional Accounting Manager

Fractional Accounting Manager | Part-Time Consulting Engagement

Location: Far West Suburbs of Chicago | Primarily Onsite

Schedule: Approximately 8 days per month

Target Start: January 2027

Duration: Indefinite / Ongoing Consulting Engagement

The Opportunity

Our client, a privately held, multi-location organization, is seeking an experienced Interim Accounting Manager to provide hands-on accounting leadership and support across multiple operating businesses.

This is a part-time consulting engagement ideal for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys operating in a broad, hands-on capacity. The Interim Accounting Manager will help coordinate accounting activities across four operating locations, support the month-end close process, and partner directly with leadership on a variety of accounting and special projects.

The organization operates businesses in four states, creating an opportunity to work across multiple entities and operating environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day accounting leadership and serve as a versatile resource across multiple operating businesses.
• Coordinate accounting activities and communication with four accounting/bookkeeping team members embedded within the individual businesses.
• Provide oversight and support related to accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and other transactional accounting activities.
• Manage and support the month-end close process across the organization.
• Prepare and/or review general ledger and bank account reconciliations.
• Prepare and/or review journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Help identify, research, and resolve accounting issues across the businesses.
• Partner with leadership on special accounting, reporting, and operational projects.
• Assist with inventory accounting and reconciliation initiatives, including projects related to manufacturing and production activities.
• Travel occasionally to operating locations in Florida and/or California when a project can benefit from onsite support.

Ideal Background

We are looking for a hands-on accounting professional who can move comfortably between managing the close process, coordinating with accounting staff, investigating issues, and tackling special projects.

• Ideal candidates will bring:Strong accounting fundamentals and meaningful experience with month-end close.
• Hands-on experience preparing and reviewing account reconciliations and journal entries.
• Experience overseeing or coordinating the work of accountants, bookkeepers, or transactional accounting personnel.
• The ability to work effectively across multiple businesses, entities, or locations.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with senior leadership.
• A practical, roll-up-your-sleeves approach and comfort operating in an environment where priorities may shift.
• Inventory accounting experience is highly desirable, particularly experience supporting manufacturing, production, or product-based businesses.
• Experience working in a multi-entity or decentralized environment is a plus.

Schedule & Location

• This position is expected to average approximately eight days per month, with the typical schedule structured as:Three days per week during the first two weeks of each month
• One day per week during the remaining two weeks
• Potential for additional hours or days during peak reporting periods or special projects

The role will be based primarily onsite near Plano, Illinois. Occasional remote work may be possible, but candidates should expect onsite work to be the standard arrangement.

Limited project-related travel to other U.S. operating locations may also be required.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Accounting Manager, Controller, or senior-level accounting consultant who enjoys staying close to the details while also serving as a trusted resource to business leadership.

About Katalyst Group

Katalyst Group is a provider of executive search, project and interim placement solutions with expertise in supporting Accounting, Finance, and Business Transformation executives with special projects created by workforce gaps. As a human capital partner for our clients, we solve business problems across organizations in the areas of Risk and Compliance, Governance, and Technology.

Katalyst was founded in 2019 to help finance executives rapidly assemble project resources to address special projects, and recruit individuals for key hires within their respective organizations. The Katalyst team are former accounting, finance, program and project management professionals who have made a career of curating networks and connecting the dots. Our values-based culture extends to those we engage; therefore, we are selective and discerning about the organizations we support to ensure they are a good fit for those we represent.