Senior Financial Analyst, Sponsor Analysis

National Equity Fund•Chicago, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

National Equity Fund, Inc. (NEF), a leading non-profit syndicator of low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst, Sponsor Analysis to conduct a wide range of new business initiatives. The LIHTC program is the most important resource available today for creating affordable housing in the United States. NEF uses its extensive experience, talent, and resources to create sustainable affordable housing. The Senior Financial Analyst, Sponsor Analysis will responsible for evaluating the financial strength and creditworthiness of project sponsors and guarantors — including not-for-profit entities, for-profit organizations, and individuals — primarily engaged in real estate investment, development, and management, with a focus on LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) projects. Deliver clear, actionable insights that support investment decisions and risk assessments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
Minimum 2 years of experience in GAAP-based financial analysis, public accounting, or real estate finance
Strong understanding of GAAP principles, tax accounting, and financial statement interpretation
Ability to trace and reconcile financial statement line items to supporting schedules and source documentation
Fluency in debits and credits and their implications on financial statements and financial analysis
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
High attention to detail, analytical rigor, and professional judgment
Strong interpersonal skills and client service orientation
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

CPA or progress toward CPA designation preferred
Experience in LIHTC, structured finance or credit underwriting preferred

Responsibilities

Analyze GAAP-based financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and footnotes.
Evaluate financial health through trend and variance analysis, business risk assessments and reconciliation of supporting schedules to validate client statements.
Understand and interpret financial statement activity to ask meaningful questions and understand and document client responses.
Identify and understand accounting anomalies, consolidation issues, contingent liabilities, and off-balance sheet risks.
Understand the risks associated with LIHTC investments, including guarantor requirements and risks, tax credit implications and capital stack arrangements.
Prepare comprehensive narrative documenting financial analysis, potential concerns, and conclusions about the financial health of sponsors and guarantors for inclusion in investment proposals and internal communications.
Maintain a courteous, confident, and solution-oriented tone that fosters trust and long-term relationships.
Collaborate actively with managers, peers, and internal teams to manage expectations, address timing concerns, and resolve issues related to document collection and analysis outcomes in a timely manner.
Foster an open environment of continuous process improvement and proactive internal and external relationship management.
Communicate clearly across departments to ensure alignment with underwriting standards and investment policies.
Support the team by conducting various financial analyses and participating in special projects as needed.