Accounting Manager

The Accounting Manager role at Merz Apothecary is a unique opportunity for a finance professional who loves both the detail of accounting work and the thrill of building stronger systems for the future. You’ll steward the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of financial operations across two connected subsidiaries while keeping a historic Chicago brand running smoothly, and helping shape how we scale.

Merz is far from a typical retailer. With 9,000+ SKUs, hundreds of vendors, multiple sales channels, and a light manufacturing arm, our business model is dynamic and complex. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys complexity, thrives in problem-solving environments, and is excited to bring order, structure, and efficiency to a growing operation.

Today, the Accounting Manager will be hands-on by executing and overseeing core accounting functions while managing and reviewing work from our talented global bookkeeping team. As processes mature, documentation deepens, and new systems are implemented, your work will evolve into higher-level oversight, process design, automation, and continuous improvement. You’ll also lead a weekly morning meeting with global team members and communicate regularly via Slack and email to keep everyone aligned.

This role sits at the center of our ability to operate confidently, stay audit-ready, and scale with financial clarity. We’re looking for someone based in Chicago who can come onsite as needed to stay close to the business, collaborate with colleagues, and understand the operation firsthand.

If you’re energized by complexity, eager to modernize systems, and excited to leave your mark on a beloved Chicago institution ready for its next chapter, we’d love to talk to you.

By successfully performing this role, the Accounting Manager ensures that:

• Monthly, quarterly, and year-end financials are accurate, complete, and delivered on time
• All balance sheet accounts are fully reconciled and well-documented each month
• Cash flow is clearly tracked, forecasted, and proactively managed
• Accounts payable, payroll, taxes, and compliance obligations are handled correctly and on schedule
• Bookkeepers are effectively supported, reviewed, and developed
• Accounting systems and SOPs are documented, maintained, and continuously improved
• Leadership has clear, timely visibility into financial performance, risks, and issues

• Own and execute the monthly close across all entities and brands
• Review and approve journal entries, accruals, and adjustments
• Oversee reconciliation of all bank, credit card, loan, intercompany, inventory, and balance sheet accounts
• Maintain a clean, accurate chart of accounts and accounting structure in Net Suite
• Ensure discrepancies, variances, and shrinkage are identified, explained, and resolved

• Oversee reconciliation of sales and deposits across all major sales channels (e.g., Shopify, Amazon, wholesale, marketplaces)
• Ensure accurate posting and reconciliation of fees, chargebacks, and clearing accounts
• Reconcile inventory value between subledgers and the balance sheet
• Review and process vendor bill variances (quantity, price, FX gain/loss)

• Oversee daily bill processing, coding, approvals, and payment scheduling
• Review and approve vendor setups, payment methods, and prepayments (ACH, wire, EFT)
• Manage check runs, positive pay, and bank payment controls
• Ensure freight, G&A, and shared costs are allocated accurately across sales channels
• Resolve vendor, bank, and internal discrepancies

• Oversee bi-weekly payroll processing and payroll journal entries
• Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts and liabilities
• Coordinate benefits, deductions, and 401(k) administration with providers
• Support annual compensation and review cycles with accurate data and accruals
• Manage sales tax filings, payroll-related filings, and other compliance requirements
• Partner with external accountants on income tax filings and audits

• Monitor daily cash balances across all bank and…