Accounting Associate

Our client, a leading investment firm, is looking for a detail-oriented, driven Accounting Associate to join its Management Company team in Chicago, which focuses on the firm’s internal accounts. The Associate will handle accounts payable and receivable, code expenses, support the quarterly close and related tax filings, prepare internal management reports and financial statements, and help strengthen the firm’s internal controls and accounting procedures. The role works with staff across the firm every day and also supports requests from external auditors, regulators, and service providers.

Find out more about the daily tasks, overall responsibilities, and required experience for this opportunity by scrolling down now.

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and adaptable, with strong communication skills, a sense of ownership, and the ability to prioritize competing deadlines while working both independently and as part of a team.

Below is a sample of the Accounting Associate’s responsibilities:

• Maintain the general ledger for about five management company entities, including UK and Hong Kong entities
• Review expenses, reconcile balance sheet accounts, and process accounts payable
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, prepaids, and depreciation as part of the month-end and quarter-end close
• Handle intercompany allocations and invoicing across entities
• Review monthly employee expense reports and flight activity to ensure correct coding and policy compliance
• Help prepare internal management reports, variance analyses, and financial statements
• Support the upkeep and improvement of internal controls, policies, and procedures in line with US GAAP
• Respond to requests from external auditors, the SEC, and other service providers
• Assist with accounts receivable and tax filings tied to the management companies
• Embrace AI tools and new technologies to make team processes faster and more accurate
• Jump in on special projects and ad hoc requests across the firm

Who you are:

• Degree in accounting (bachelor’s level)
• Two to five years in accounting, whether in industry alone or split between public accounting and industry
• Hands-on familiarity with Sage Intacct or another cloud-based general ledger platform
• Background in private equity, asset management, or a related investment setting is preferred
• Precise and thorough, taking pride in getting the numbers right the first time
• Keeps multiple workstreams on track and consistently delivers on schedule
• Takes initiative and follows tasks through to completion without needing to be pushed
• Stays steady and flexible when priorities change
• Communicates clearly and confidently, both in writing and in conversation
• Equally effective working alone or alongside colleagues
• Eager to use automation and AI to streamline everyday accounting work