United Airlines is hiring: Manager - Accounting in Chicago

Description There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines. We’re on a path towards becoming the best airline in the history of aviation. Our shared purpose – Connecting People, Uniting the World – is about more than getting people from one place to another. It also means that as a global company that operates in hundreds of locations around the world with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees, we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly, and we can only do that with a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. And we’re growing – in the years ahead, we’ll hire tens of thousands of people across every area of the airline. Our careers include a competitive benefits package aimed at keeping you happy, healthy and well-traveled. From employee-run "Business Resource Group" communities to world-class benefits like parental leave, 401k and privileges like space available travel, United is truly a one-of-a-kind place to work. Are you ready to travel the world? We believe that inclusion helps us thrive and grow at United across our collaborative Finance teams consisting of Financial Planning & Analysis, Internal Audit, Treasury, Global Procurement, Controllership, Investor Relations and more. These teams provide the financial fuel that keeps our operation running from providing detailed analyses of financial planning, performance, and forecasts to managing our investments and financial strategies. Our Finance team plays an integral role in making our airline profitable and successful by meeting our financial goals. Key Responsibilities: The Manager, Accounting role combines technical accounting expertise with a strategic focus on operational improvement, digital transformation and change management. The ideal candidate will be proactive in finding opportunities to optimize ongoing processes, implement automation, and enhance the overall efficiency and accuracy of our financial operations while ensuring compliance with accounting rules. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment within an evolving industry. This position, in part, will support the monthly close process and preparation of financial reports as well as other day-to-day accounting related activities that can include reporting on trends/important metrics of business data and collaboration with business partners to early-detect anomalies. In addition, this role is responsible for identifying and supporting continuous improvement opportunities and business process redesign as part of the CFO’s overall strategy of finance transformation. The objective of this strategy includes improve efficiencies, elevate the division’s ability to provide insight to our business partners and gain awareness of trends in financial data. This role will include: Assess current accounting processes for operational improvements through simplification and standardization Improve manual processes through identification of automation opportunities Serve as a change agent and help foster an environment that embraces transformation, innovation and continuous improvement This role requires the individual to partner with internal business areas to drive process efficiency end-to-end and earlier access to trends in data. Lead accounting operations: Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including support of the month-end close processes and quarterly/annual reporting to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting Ensure current and any future transformation initiatives follow accounting standards (e.g., GAAP) and regulatory requirements where applicable (e.g., DOT, etc.) Ensure appropriate controls are embedded in existing and/or modified or new business processes Partner with external and internal audit when vital to facilitate audit procedures in support of SOX compliance Drive process optimization and automation: Assess current accounting processes to identify areas for operational improvements through simplification, standardization, end-to-end optimization (by working cross-functionally), and automation Implement best practices and automation tools (e.g., EPM, Alteryx, RPA, etc.) to streamline accounting processes and enhance the accuracy and efficiency of reporting, reconciliation, and month-end close activities Continuously identify and evaluate opportunities for improvement in execution, focusing on cost savings and operational efficiency Support financial transformation initiatives: Collaborate with leadership to help define accounting transformation initiatives Partner with collaborators (e.g., DT, Finance, others) to ensure an integration of accounting initiatives with the broader organizational goals Track efforts against transformation initiative achievements, maintain timelines and report on progress to senior management Serve as a change agent and help foster an environment that embraces transformation, innovation, and continuous improvement United values diverse experiences, perspectives, and we encourage everyone who meets the minimum qualifications to apply. While having the “desired” qualifications make for a stronger candidate, we encourage applicants who may not feel they check ALL of those boxes! We are always looking for individuals who will bring something new to the table. Qualifications What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications): Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field Certified Public Accountant 4+ years of accounting experience Strong understanding of technical accounting rules, accounting processes, and key internal controls Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on process improvement and operational efficiency Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present sophisticated information to both finance and non-finance partners A highly motivated individual with a strong understanding of how people, processes, and technology work together to produce a strong and sustainable capability Ability to work with both technical and business user teams to identify and solve issues Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification Reliable, punctual attendance is a crucial function of the position What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications): Masters of Business Administration Experience in airline or similar industry Understanding of data and experience with data analytic tools United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact JobAccommodations@united.com to request accommodation. United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact JobAccommodations@united.com to request accommodation.