Staff Accountant (AZALEA WANG)
AZALEA WANG Staff Accountant
Azalea Wang is a dynamic wholesale footwear and fashion brand with distribution through major national retail accounts, including Urban Outfitters and Von Maur. We operate at the intersection of creative brand-building and disciplined wholesale operations, requiring finance leadership that can move between strategic oversight and hands-on execution.
Our finance team is a small, high-ownership group embedded in the business. We don’t have layers of process handed down from a large corporate parent — we build what we need, own what we build, and move fast. The person in this role will be expected to bring the same energy.
The Position: Staff Accountant
Location: Chicago, IL - Onsite
Department: Finance & Accounting
Reports To: Controller
Position Summary:
Azalea Wang is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Staff Accountant to support the Controller across our accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger functions. This role is the engine of our transactional accounting — you will own day-to-day AP and AR operations, including high-volume invoice processing, vendor reconciliation, wholesale customer invoicing, cash application, and retailer account management, while also supporting month-end close.
The ideal candidate has hands-on AP and AR experience, is comfortable managing high transaction volumes with accuracy, and can work with wholesale retail partners on remittances, deductions, and account reconciliation. Experience in wholesale apparel, footwear, or retail is a plus but not required.
Key Responsibilities:
Accounts Payable
Process a high volume of domestic and international vendor invoices accurately and on time
Perform three-way matching of purchase orders, receipts, and invoices
Reconcile vendor statements and resolve invoice discrepancies
Assist with payment runs and vendor communication on outstanding balances and discrepancies
Maintain organized AP files and vendor records; support year-end audit documentation and 1099 preparation
Code invoices to the correct GL accounts, cost centers, and entities
Accounts Receivable
Generate and issue invoices to wholesale customers in the ERP and EDI systems accurately and on
time
Apply cash receipts and retailer remittances to open invoices; research and resolve unapplied cash and short payments
Reconcile wholesale customer accounts, including retailer deduction tracking, short-pay identification, and dispute documentation
Monitor and follow up on past-due balances, outstanding remittances, and unresolved deductions with retail partners
Maintain accurate AR records, aging schedules, and customer account detail; provide regular AR aging updates to the Controller
General Ledger & Month-End Close
Prepare and post standard journal entries including accruals and prepaid amortization
Perform balance sheet account reconciliations on a monthly basis
Assist with month-end close tasks under the direction of the Controller
Maintain supporting workpapers and reconciliation documentation
Assist with intercompany transactions and eliminations as needed
Inventory & Cost Support
Assist with inventory reconciliations and reserve calculations
Support COGS and gross margin reporting by pulling and organizing data
Help maintain accurate cost records across product categories
Systems & Process
Work within NetSuite for daily transaction processing and reporting
Maintain accurate and well-organized records in the ERP and supporting workbooks
Identify and flag process gaps or recurring errors to the Controller
Support documentation of accounting procedures and workflows
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required
1–3 years of accounting experience; experience in wholesale, apparel, footwear, or retail is a plus but not required
Hands-on AP and AR experience with high transaction volumes
Familiarity with ERP systems; NetSuite experience preferred
Familiarity with EDI systems or retailer portals is a plus
Proficient in Microsoft Excel — comfortable with vlookups, pivot tables, and reconciliation workbooks
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in a fast-paced environment
Organized and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
Clear communicator — able to work cross-functionally and follow up independently
Ideal Candidate Profile
Thrives in a fast-paced, transactional environment and takes pride in accuracy
Proactive — follows through on open items without needing constant reminders
Comfortable asking questions and escalating issues when something doesn’t look right
Resilient under pressure — close weeks and high-volume periods don’t rattle you
Interested in developing a deeper understanding of wholesale and retail operations
Approaches new processes with curiosity and a willingness to improve them
Sees this role as a foundation to grow into a Senior Accountant or Assistant Controller over time
Specific title and compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience and skill set. We are open to evaluating candidates across a range of levels for the right fit.
Job Type: Full-Time
- Department
- Azalea Wang
- Role
- Staff Accountant
- Locations
- Chicago Headquarters
- Employment type
- Full-time
About AKIRA
At AKIRA, we believe in breaking down the barriers of the traditional retail experience and embracing the individuality of both our team and our clients. We’re on the lookout for extraordinary individuals who thrive on creativity, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Join our team and become part of a culture that values diversity, fosters personal growth, and encourages out-of-the-box thinking.