Principal Accountant

ABOUT THE SECOND CITY     

Dedicated to entertaining, inspiring, and transforming through courageous comedy, The Second City is the premier brand in improv-based sketch comedy, with sold-out shows playing on stages in Chicago, Toronto, and New York City, and our Touring and Theatrical companies entertaining an additional one million theatergoers a year around the globe. The Second City Training Center is the largest school of improvisation-based arts on the planet, with locations in Chicago, Toronto, and New York. Second City Works, the B2B side of Second City, has brought award-winning improvisation and audience-driven techniques to over 600 Fortune 1000 companies, challenging businesses seeking a more collaborative culture to innovate through development programs, original digital and video content, campaign consultation, private events, and more.  

For additional information on The Second City please visit: www.secondcity.com 

Principal Accountant  

The Principal Accountant plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and efficiency of the company’s financial operations. Reporting directly to the VP, Controller, this role has high visibility and frequent interaction with senior leadership.  The Principal Accountant is responsible for the full-cycle accounting process, financial reporting, compliance, and continuous process improvement initiatives to enhance financial insights and operational efficiency.  This is a hybrid role in Chicago, IL with the expectation of three to four days in person a week.    

Job Duties 

• Reports to VP, Controller, with significant interaction with CFO, CEO, location GMs and VP of business lines 
• Maintains a thorough understanding of the financial reporting and general ledger structure
• Primarily responsible for completing all accounting tasks related to the monthly close, with ability to close the books unsupervised – key tasks include: 
• Recording all revenue recognition and prepaid expense amortization entries 
• Reconciling all balance sheet accounts  
• Fixed asset accounting and depreciation 
• Payroll entries and reconciliations  
• Prepares month end reporting package for review by the Controller and CFO, with responsibility for driving increased financial insights to business teams over gross margin and OpEx spend 
• Responsible for the preparation of all supporting account reconciliations related to the annual year-end audit 
• Files all tax and informational returns with the various governing bodies including sales tax returns and HST returns as well as renewing liquor licenses and other legal documents 
• Maintains Corporate Credit Card program and trains staff on company credit card reporting tool (Ramp) 
• Performs Ad Hoc reporting analysis as required by Controller, CFO or department heads 
• Coordinates with Senior FP&A Analyst on weekly and monthly reporting requirements, including cashflow forecasting 
• Identifies and leads process improvement opportunities to close the books more timely and accurately, with a key goal being a faster month close 

Job Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required 
• 6+ year of relevant accounting experience 
• Possesses knowledge of accounting principles, and excellent verbal and written skills 
• Previous accounting experience in a multi – unit company (e.g. hotel or restaurant) 
• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and organize efficiently 
• Experience with NetSuite ERP and/or Salesforce CRM preferred 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required 
• Ability to communicate financial results using clear, easy to understand language 

 Compensation: $100k- $115k base, no bonus 

**We are an open, inclusive workplace and welcome applicants who bring along with them diverse life experiences, including every permutation of economic and cultural backgrounds, orientation, ethnicity and points of view. We strive to continue our efforts to work with people who may otherwise be marginalized or underrepresented in our business and around our local community.