Careers at CJBS: A Look Inside Our Award-Winning Accounting Firm Culture

If you are exploring accounting jobs in Illinois, you are probably looking for more than a title change. You want to know what the day-to-day experience feels like, how people are supported during busy seasons, and whether there is room to build a career that lasts.

At CJBS, our culture is shaped by the way our team works together every day: with collaboration, mentorship, flexibility, and a shared commitment to helping both our people and our clients succeed.

We are proud to have been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois, an honor that reflects the workplace our team continues to build together. From paid continuing education and mentorship from senior leaders to seasonal Friday flexibility and team celebrations, CJBS is focused on creating an environment where people can grow their careers and feel supported along the way.

Why CJBS Is Recognized as a Best Place to Work in Illinois

CJBS has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois for multiple years, including a #13 ranking in 2025, the firm’s highest placement to date.

The recognition is awarded by the Daily Herald in partnership with the Workforce Research Group. Companies are evaluated through a process that includes both employer input and employee survey results, with employee feedback making up 80 percent of the scoring.

For CJBS, that employee feedback is what makes the recognition meaningful. The ranking reflects how team members experience the firm day to day: the support they receive, the relationships they build, the opportunities they have to grow, and the culture they help shape.As Jeffrey Stuart, Managing Partner at CJBS, shared when the firm received the 2025 recognition, “This award is about more than our workplace. It’s about the relationships we build here. We’ve always believed that when you invest in people, everything else follows.”

A Supportive and Family-Friendly Accounting Firm Culture

CJBS has a family-friendly culture that recognizes team members have full lives outside the office.

Accounting can be demanding, especially during busy seasons, so support has to show up in practical ways. At CJBS, that includes seasonal flexibility, mentorship, professional development, and a team environment where people are encouraged to ask questions, build relationships, and keep growing.

Our team values hard work, but we also value trust, balance, and connection. People are encouraged to build careers that are professionally fulfilling and personally sustainable.

Summer Fridays and Seasonal Flexibility at CJBS

Flexibility is an important part of the CJBS employee experience.

After April 15 through Labor Day, team members enjoy Summer Fridays with a 2 p.m. close. CJBS also offers the same early Friday schedule after October 15 through the end of the year.

Those seasonal hours give our team time to recharge after major deadlines, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy more breathing room during key parts of the year.

Professional Development, Paid CPE, and Career Growth

CJBS invests in the growth of its team.

Continuing professional education is offered and paid for, helping team members stay current, expand their technical knowledge, and continue developing their careers. Whether someone is early in their accounting career or ready to take on more complex client work, CJBS provides opportunities to keep learning.

Professional development also happens in everyday moments. It can look like getting guidance from a senior leader before a client meeting, asking questions during a complex tax project, or having someone help you understand what the next step in your career could look like.

Team Events and Workplace Connection

The CJBS team makes time to connect outside of client work.

Summer and winter events, including outings at Royal Palms Shuffleboard and Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, give employees a chance to celebrate, relax, and spend time with colleagues in a different setting. Those moments help build the familiarity and trust that carry back into the workday, especially during busy seasons.

Who Thrives at CJBS?

CJBS is a strong fit for people who want to keep learning, contribute to a team, and build lasting client relationships.

People who thrive here tend to be curious, collaborative, and willing to ask questions. They care about doing good work, but they also care about the people they work with. They are interested in growing their technical skills, supporting clients, and being part of a firm where relationships are central to the culture.

Whether you are early in your accounting career or ready for a role with more responsibility, CJBS offers an environment where you can continue developing with support from people who want to see you succeed.

Accounting Jobs at CJBS: Explore Our Current Open Positions

As CJBS continues to grow, we are looking for people who want to build their careers in a supportive, collaborative accounting firm environment. We are currently hiring for three positions: Tax Preparer Associate, Senior Associate, and Administrative Associate.

Each role plays an important part in how we serve clients, support our team, and keep the firm moving forward.

Tax Preparer Associate
The Tax Preparer Associate role is designed for someone with an accounting background who is building their technical foundation and working toward CPA eligibility. This position may include preparing individual, corporate, partnership, fiduciary, or other tax returns, preparing tax trial balances, proposing adjustments, learning book-to-tax differences, and supporting bookkeeping tasks such as bank reconciliations. Familiarity with Microsoft Office, CCH Axcess or similar products, QuickBooks, and tax preparation software is helpful. 

Senior Associate
The Senior Associate role is a full-time position for someone with a master’s degree in Accounting or Finance who is ready to take on greater responsibility within client work and firm workflow. This role may include supporting engagement planning, assisting with job budgets, managing more advanced assignments, and helping keep client work moving efficiently. 

Administrative Associate
The Administrative Associate role provides direct support to several partners and plays an important part in CJBS’ tax, accounting, and advisory operations. This position may include tracking client deliverables and deadlines, coordinating calendars and client appointments, supporting electronic filing of tax returns, organizing client documents, preparing engagement letters, and monitoring workflow systems. 

Build Your Accounting Career at CJBS

CJBS offers a workplace where accounting professionals can grow, learn, and feel supported along the way.

With paid CPE, mentorship from senior leaders, seasonal Friday flexibility, team events, and a family-friendly culture, CJBS continues to create an environment where people can do strong work and build rewarding careers.

If you are looking for an accounting firm where you can keep learning, work with people who support your growth, and feel connected to the team around you, CJBS may be the right next step. Explore our current openings and learn more about building your career with us.