Accounting Manager

About the Job

A well-established, privately held specialty financial services and investment firm is seeking an Accounting Manager to join its finance team. The organization specializes in capital markets, investment banking, proprietary investments, and structured finance, with deep expertise in highly regulated financial environments.

This role is ideal for an accounting professional with strong experience in broker-dealer accounting, regulatory reporting, and financial operations. The Accounting Manager will partner closely with senior finance leadership, including the CFO and Controller, and play a critical role in overseeing accounting operations, regulatory compliance, treasury functions, and financial reporting.

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Position Overview

The Accounting Manager will provide accounting and management support across regulatory accounting matters, business operations, tax, treasury, and general ledger activities. This individual will also serve as a financial liaison to various internal business units and support strategic financial analysis and reporting.

This is a highly visible role with exposure to executive leadership and broad ownership across multiple accounting functions.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Close

• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities
• Support general ledger accounting and account reconciliations
• Assist with budgeting and financial planning processes
• Provide backup support for fixed assets, lease accounting, and consolidation activities

Regulatory Accounting & Broker-Dealer Oversight

• Support broker-dealer net capital management and regulatory reporting
• Prepare monthly FOCUS reports and broker-dealer net capital calculations
• Assist with regulatory oversight responsibilities tied to FINOP functions
• Prepare other recurring regulatory filings and compliance documentation
• Monitor and oversee daily estimated net capital reporting

Treasury & Cash Management

• Manage daily cash management and treasury activities
• Ensure timely execution of banking and clearing transactions
• Support oversight of cash balances and transaction accuracy

Investment / Fund Accounting Support

• Support accounting and reporting for proprietary investment vehicles and private funds
• Maintain accounting activity within investment accounting systems
• Prepare quarterly and annual financial reporting
• Calculate and record management fees
• Oversee vendor payments and investor capital account reporting
• Coordinate audit and tax compliance activities for investment entities

Mortgage / Financing Accounting Support

• Provide accounting support for mortgage financing/origination activities
• Prepare recurring financial and regulatory reports
• Coordinate documentation requests for auditors and regulators

Tax & Payroll Support

• Assist with federal and state tax reporting processes
• Prepare year-end tax workpapers and account analyses
• Support tax compliance filings including sales/use and franchise taxes
• Assist with compensation, payroll, and benefits-related budgeting activities

Business Partnership & Reporting

• Serve as financial liaison to assigned business units
• Support expense reporting systems and financial compliance requests
• Assist with ad hoc financial analysis and internal reporting

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• CPA or active CPA candidate
• 5+ years of accounting experience
• Strong financial services background, ideally within:
  • Broker-dealer
  • Investment banking
  • Asset management
  • Capital markets
• Experience with:
  • Financial reporting
  • Month-end close
  • General ledger accounting
  • Regulatory accounting

Preferred

• Prior supervisory or management experience
• Broker-dealer experience strongly preferred
• Experience with:
  • Net capital calculations
  • FOCUS reporting
  • Regulatory accounting/compliance
• FINRA licenses a plus:
  • Series 99
  • Series 27

Technical Skills

• Advanced Excel skills required
• Experience with ERP/accounting systems preferred
• Payroll system experience preferred
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency required

Soft Skills

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Flexible and hands-on approach to operational accounting work

Additional Details

• Hybrid schedule: 3 days onsite / 2 remote
• Chicago-area candidates only
• High visibility role with opportunity to work closely with executive finance leadership
• Strong long-term career opportunity within a stable, employee-oriented organization