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Accountant - Property Accounting

Northwestern Medicine · Chicago, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found an error in a prior period. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they raise mistakes openly and know how corrections should be handled.

How do you manage the month-end close when several deadlines land on the same day?

What they are checking: Whether they plan ahead and prioritize so close deadlines are met accurately.

What would you do

Your fixed asset subledger doesn't match the general ledger at month end. How do you find the difference?

What they are checking: Whether they have a methodical reconciliation process instead of plugging differences to close.

A manager asks why depreciation expense jumped this quarter. How do you explain it?

What they are checking: Whether they can analyze the drivers and explain them in plain terms to non-accountants.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd record a new capital asset and set up its depreciation.

What they are checking: Whether they understand capitalization, useful lives and depreciation methods used in property accounting.

How do you decide whether a cost should be capitalized or expensed?

What they are checking: Whether they apply capitalization policy and judgment, which directly affects reported earnings.

What is construction in progress, and how do you know when to move a project into service?

What they are checking: Whether they can track CIP accurately and catch projects that should already be depreciating.

How do you handle an asset disposal or retirement in the books?

What they are checking: Whether they know to remove cost and accumulated depreciation and record any gain or loss.

How do you prepare support for auditors reviewing fixed assets?

What they are checking: Whether they can produce clean work papers that make an audit go smoothly.

What Excel or ERP skills do you rely on most for account analysis?

What they are checking: Whether their tools and skills are strong enough to analyze large account detail efficiently.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Accountant - Property Accounting ​reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Accountant is responsible for accounting and financial analysis activities for the department served. The accountant supports the finance function of Northwestern Medicine by preparing journal entries, analyzing accounts, researching transactions, and special projects. Responsibilities: • Accurately adjust account balances on a monthly basis and accurately prepare journal entries. • Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports, schedules, commentaries and supplemental material to be used by management. • Prepare account reconciliations by compiling and analyzing account information, verifying the accuracy of general ledger accounts assigned to him/her. • Prepare financial reports and work papers to support applicable audits and reviews. • Reconcile financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing account information. • Report to the department manager and support the finance operation of Northwestern Medicine through special projects and analysis. • Provide support and analysis related to operational budget and long-term financial projections. • Answer questions from management on account information. • Provide support for the month end close. • AA/EOE Required: • Degree in Accounting or related field. • Strong communication, collaboration, and analytical skills in a fast-paced environment. • High attention to detail. • Understanding of advanced accounting concepts. • Knowledge of Microsoft office suite. Preferred: • CPA or CHFP certification. • Experience in a healthcare or related setting. • Experience in accounting/finance. • Experience working with PeopleSoft General Ledger. Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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