Investment Accounting Associate

William Blair•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Solutions for Today’s Challenges. Vision for Tomorrow’s Opportunities. Join William Blair, the Premier Global Partnership. The investment accounting & corporate actions team is responsible for two primary functions: reconciliation and corporate actions. The reconciliation group reconciles security positions, security market values, transactions and cash balances that are maintained on our internal accounting platform against that of the custodians for both counseling and institutional accounts. The corporate actions group performs the processing of both mandatory and voluntary events, such as mergers, acquisitions, spinoffs, stock splits, dividends, tender offers, and other corporate events. Team members work with our internal trading groups and custodians to ensure events are processed accurately and timely. Responsibilities for the Investment Accounting Associate include but may not be limited to: Perform accounting reconciliation responsibilities for assigned investment accounts, such as reconciling daily transaction activity, security positions, market value and cost value. Ensure William Blair’s accounting records are accurate and reconciled with clients’ custodial books and records. Address all accounting and account related requests and inquiries from external and internal clients in a timely manner Participate in projects and ad hoc items as required. Ensure Reconciliation policies and procedures are also followed. Recommend changes or updates to processes/procedures to senior staff when warranted. Participate in projects and ad hoc items as required. Develop and maintain subject matter expertise of investment accounting principles. Ensure Reconciliation policies and procedures are also followed. Recommend changes or updates to processes/procedures to senior staff when warranted. Serve as a backup for investment accountants when coverage needs arise. Assist supervisor and team lead with training of new investment accountants. Additional responsibilities as requested.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or related field required
2-4 years of experience in an investment accounting role required
2 or more years of experience working with or at an investment management firm
Excellent quantitative reasoning, problem solving and analytical skills
Detailed understanding of how to support institutional client accounts
Detail oriented and able to prioritize tasks
Demonstrates initiative and persistence
Able to exercise independent judgment
Commits to satisfying internal and external customers
Delivers clear, effective communication and commits to understanding others
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word

Nice To Haves

Progress towards an MBA preferred

Responsibilities

Perform accounting reconciliation responsibilities for assigned investment accounts, such as reconciling daily transaction activity, security positions, market value and cost value.
Ensure William Blair’s accounting records are accurate and reconciled with clients’ custodial books and records.
Address all accounting and account related requests and inquiries from external and internal clients in a timely manner
Participate in projects and ad hoc items as required.
Ensure Reconciliation policies and procedures are also followed.
Recommend changes or updates to processes/procedures to senior staff when warranted.
Participate in projects and ad hoc items as required.
Develop and maintain subject matter expertise of investment accounting principles.
Ensure Reconciliation policies and procedures are also followed.
Recommend changes or updates to processes/procedures to senior staff when warranted.
Serve as a backup for investment accountants when coverage needs arise.
Assist supervisor and team lead with training of new investment accountants.
Additional responsibilities as requested.