Careers

Staff Accountants are supervised by Senior Accountants, Supervisors, Managers or other, more experienced Staff Accountants.  Initially, they are given less complex accounting and tax assignments.  As they gain experience, they are given more difficult assignments and greater responsibilities.

• Become familiar with the firm’s policies and procedures
• Understand the rules, requirements, and code of conduct of the AICPA and state CPA society, and the authoritative literature established by the FASB and GASB.
• Become familiar with pertinent IRC sections and regulations.
• Obtain a working knowledge of tax and accounting research techniques and the various research sources in the firm library.
• Obtain a working knowledge of firm technology, including the use of industry specific software. 
• Become proficient in the preparation of corporate, individual, partnership, fiduciary and other tax returns prepared by the firm.
• Assume responsibility for the completion of tax returns under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Perform assigned audit procedures for specific accounts and transactions under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Sit for and pass the CPA examination (if eligible). 

This job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  A Staff Accountant will work at least 2300 hours in a year, 85% of which should be chargeable hours. Moderate to low overtime required during non-tax and non-audit seasons.  High level of overtime may be required to complete audit and tax engagements. Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Firm’s Partners or professional staff.

Staff Accountants are supervised by Senior Accountants, Supervisors, Managers or other, more experienced Staff Accountants.  Initially, they are given less complex accounting and tax assignments.  As they gain experience, they are given more difficult assignments and greater responsibilities.

• Become familiar with the firm’s policies and procedures
• Understand the rules, requirements, and code of conduct of the AICPA and state CPA society, and the authoritative literature established by the FASB and GASB.
• Become familiar with pertinent IRC sections and regulations.
• Obtain a working knowledge of tax and accounting research techniques and the various research sources in the firm library.
• Obtain a working knowledge of firm technology, including the use of industry specific software. 
• Become proficient in the preparation of corporate, individual, partnership, fiduciary and other tax returns prepared by the firm.
• Assume responsibility for the completion of tax returns under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Perform assigned audit procedures for specific accounts and transactions under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Sit for and pass the CPA examination.

This job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  A Staff Accountant will work at least 2300 hours in a year, 85% of which should be chargeable hours. Moderate to low overtime required during non-tax and non-audit seasons.  High level of overtime may be required to complete audit and tax engagements. Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Firm’s Partners or professional staff.

A Senior Accountant can perform most engagements with little supervision.  When unusual situations arise, they present the pertinent information to the engagement Manager or Partner and follow their advice.

• Set realistic professional and personal goals and be able to communicate these goals to the management group.
• Identify and correlate how their individual contribution contributes to overall Firm objectives.
• Develop good work habits and be able to work independently on most engagements.
• Acquire the skills necessary to develop quality client relationships and loyalty.
• Be involved in the Firm’s marketing by involving themselves in various community activities and with other professionals in our community.
• Set goals which will lead to high levels of technical competence or a specialty within the accounting profession.
• Become proficient at tax and accounting research including a knowledge of the various research sources available to the Firm.

This job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  A Senior Accountant will work at least 2300 hours in a year, 79% of which should be chargeable hours. Moderate to low overtime required during non-tax and non-audit seasons.  High level of overtime may be required to complete audit and tax engagements. Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Firm’s Partners or professional staff.

A Supervisor can perform engagement with little supervision.  They direct and review the work of Staff Accountants and Senior Accountants and are capable of making decisions on accounting, tax and auditing matters.  When unusual situations arise, they present the pertinent information to the engagement manager or partner and follow their advice.

• Consistently develop and meet agreed upon objectives and goals.
• Manage an engagement from its planning state to its final technical review.
• Effectively manage time while providing supervision and motivation to personnel assigned to engagements.
• Monitor progress of engagements in relation to budgets and timeliness of services.
• Review engagement work papers, resolve any problems, and communicate all important developments to the engagement team.
• Involve himself/herself in the Firm’s practice development plan by participation in various community activities with other professionals of the community.
• Recognize opportunities to provide additional services to existing clients.
• Achieve established goals as they relate to technical competence.

This job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  A Supervisor will work at least 2300 hours in a year, 79% of which should be chargeable hours. Moderate to low overtime required during non-tax and non-audit seasons.  High level of overtime may be required to complete audit and tax engagements. Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Firm’s Partners or professional staff.

A Manager is a CPA whose client responsibilities are second only to those of Partners.  Managers are primarily responsible for client relationships within their area of expertise and for clients assigned to them.  They have exhibited technical proficiency and the ability to supervise and complete engagements, posses a thorough knowledge of the Firm’s policies and procedures, and serve as intermediaries between Partners, clients, and the professional staff.  They are “Partners in training” and are involved in almost all of the areas for which partners are responsible.

• Manage an engagement from its planning state to its final technical review.
• Plan the timing and assigning of staff to engagements.
• Review engagement workpapers, resolve any problems, and keep the Partner informed of all important developments in the engagement.
• Work hard to market the Firm’s services, and is in the process of developing the necessary executive presence to be able to consistently attract new business.
• Start to develop a network with other professionals in our practice area.
• Attain a technical skill or level of experience which is recognized both internally and externally.
• Gain experience in risk evaluation.
• Gain additional experience in practice management.
• Represent clients before tax authorities.
• Monitors progress of engagements in relation to budgets and due dates.

This job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  A Manager will work at least 2300 hours in a year, 73% of which should be chargeable hours. Moderate to low overtime required during non-tax and non-audit seasons.  High level of overtime may be required to complete audit and tax engagements. Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Firm’s Partners or professional staff.

A Manager must be a certified public accountant.

West & Company, LLC, Certified Public Accountants, has an opportunity for a full-time IT Support Technician who will report to our Mattoon, Illinois office. This position will respond to the day-to-day IT needs of our staff.

Responsibilities:

• End-User Support
• Setup of Laptops and workstations
• Maintenance of software updates and software libraries
• End-User Education
• Minor Server maintenance
• Responding to automated email alerts
• Network troubleshooting and monitoring

Qualifications:

• Minimum 2-year education and applicable certifications
• At least 3 years of experience, preferably 5 years.
• Experience with Windows 10 installations
• Experience with Windows Server operating systems
• Scripting experience is a plus
• Customer service and end-user support experience

Staff Accountants are supervised by Senior Accountants, Supervisors, Managers or other, more experienced Staff Accountants.  Initially, they are given less complex accounting and tax assignments.  As they gain experience, they are given more difficult assignments and greater responsibilities.

• Become familiar with the firm’s policies and procedures
• Understand the rules, requirements, and code of conduct of the AICPA and state CPA society, and the authoritative literature established by the FASB and GASB.
• Become familiar with pertinent IRC sections and regulations.
• Obtain a working knowledge of tax and accounting research techniques and the various research sources in the firm library.
• Obtain a working knowledge of firm technology, including the use of industry specific software. 
• Become proficient in the preparation of corporate, individual, partnership, fiduciary and other tax returns prepared by the firm.
• Assume responsibility for the completion of tax returns under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Perform assigned audit procedures for specific accounts and transactions under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Sit for and pass the CPA examination (if eligible). 

This job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  A Staff Accountant will work at least 2300 hours in a year, 85% of which should be chargeable hours. Moderate to low overtime required during non-tax and non-audit seasons.  High level of overtime may be required to complete audit and tax engagements. Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Firm’s Partners or professional staff.

A Manager is a CPA whose client responsibilities are second only to those of Partners.  Managers are primarily responsible for client relationships within their area of expertise and for clients assigned to them.  They have exhibited technical proficiency and the ability to supervise and complete engagements, possess a thorough knowledge of the Firm’s policies and procedures, and serve as intermediaries between Partners, clients, and the professional staff.  They are “Partners in training” and are involved in almost all of the areas for which partners are responsible.

• Manage an engagement from its planning state to its final technical review.
• Plan the timing and assigning of staff to engagements.
• Review engagement workpapers, resolve any problems, and keep the Partner informed of all important developments in the engagement.
• Work hard to market the Firm’s services, and is in the process of developing the necessary executive presence to be able to consistently attract new business.
• Start to develop a network with other professionals in our practice area.
• Attain a technical skill or level of experience which is recognized both internally and externally.
• Gain experience in risk evaluation.
• Gain additional experience in practice management.
• Represent clients before tax authorities.
• Monitors progress of engagements in relation to budgets and due dates.

This job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  A Manager will work at least 2300 hours in a year, 73% of which should be chargeable hours. Moderate to low overtime required during non-tax and non-audit seasons.  High level of overtime may be required to complete audit and tax engagements. Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Firm’s Partners or professional staff.

A Manager must be a certified public accountant.

Overview:

Enjoy a rewarding career with a growing accounting firm that provides a full suite of services to financial institutions throughout Illinois. West & Company, LLC has an opportunity for a Bank Services Specialist, focusing primarily on a client base in North Central Illinois. This position is an integral part of the smooth operation of the Bank Services Group and, accordingly, offers a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunity for growth.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate banking clients for compliance with laws and regulations
• Interface with the senior management of our clients
• Write reports, including key findings and recommendations
• Participate in client meetings and executive presentations

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of, and experience working with, federal banking regulations, such as Truth in Lending, RESPA, Equal Credit Opportunity, Electronic Funds Transfer, Truth in Savings, Availability of Funds, and Bank Secrecy Act Regulations
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Ability to travel regionally to serve financial institution clients in Illinois
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience working with banking regulations, either for a bank or as a regulator
• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree
• Credit Analysis or Loan Review experience preferred
• Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) a plus
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) a plus
• Certified AML and Fraud Professional (CAFP) a plus