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Accountant, Investment Partnerships

Job ID: 7263

Updated: Aug 21, 2023

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Category: Finance/Accounting

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About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.
 
As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and management; restructurings; high-stakes litigation and trials; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,500+ lawyers) operating from 19 offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Investment Partnerships Accountant will work closely with our Financial Accounting, Budget, & Controls and Investment Partnerships groups.  This individual will support the accounting and reporting functions related to the Firm and the Firm’s private equity Investment Partnerships program, including review of transactions, financial reporting, and preparing reconciliations. The staff accountant will also assist on various finance related projects and initiatives from time to time.

Essential Functions: (This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)

  • Prepare monthly account reconciliations related to Firm and Investment Partnerships activity; identify areas of improvement to enhance the process and assist with cash planning.
  • Prepare adjusting manual journal entries and post approved entries as received.
  • Review transactions related to capital calls, distributions and other fund transactions. Prepare data for monthly/quarterly investor statements; review and reconcile general ledger activity to investor statements.
  • Prepare timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis, including, but not exclusive to quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements of numerous Investment Partnerships comprised primarily of limited partnership interests in private equity funds.
  • Assist with the Firm and Investment Partnerships’ annual external audit engagements.
  • Actively participate in/contribute to system and process re-engineering efforts; recognize/assess the downstream impacts of process changes.
  • Perform special projects as requested.

The individual in this role will have the capability to expand the scope of their responsibilities into the performance analytics function over time

Qualifications & Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting or Finance is required; CPA certification is strongly preferred.
  • A minimum of 2 years of accounting and/or audit experience, with experience in funds accounting in a fast-paced, demanding environment and a general understanding of the private equity industry.
  • Experience in accounting for various types of entities, including private equity funds and funds of funds.
  • Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills.
  • This individual should be proactive, results oriented, and possess written and oral communication skills to clearly and concisely summarize conclusions and observations.
  • Attention to detail and the eagerness to learn and to progress within a dynamic and growing environment are imperative.
  • The candidate must be confident working independently and often assertively.
  • The candidate must have a strong customer service orientation, good people skills, and a commitment to excellence.

Technologies/Software:

  • Strong knowledge of full MS Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc) with advanced Excel skills and the ability to work with large data sets
  • Experience with Elite 3E and Dynamo is a plus

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm. #LI-Hybrid #LI-NM1