Senior Manager, Equity Compensation

Lincoln International•Chicago, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lincoln International’s Senior Manager, Equity Compensation oversees accounting for the firm’s global equity plans and ensures timely, accurate financial reporting. The role partners with Payroll, HR, Tax, Legal, and external auditors to support accounting under applicable standards, including ASC 718, timely close processes, and effective internal controls. It calls for strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills in support of the company’s financial and strategic goals. The position owns end-to-end equity compensation accounting and administration, including valuation and expense recognition, plan changes and settlements, award documentation, employee and stakeholder guidance, and coordination with third-party equity administrators. It leads equity-related close and reporting work, supports SEC filings and Board and management materials, and maintains capitalization and equity roll-forward schedules. The role also works with Payroll and Tax on withholding and reporting, supports compliance across jurisdictions, maintains audit-ready controls, and improves equity accounting processes and documentation. The successful candidate will guide stakeholders on equity accounting matters, mentor accounting staff or cross-functional partners, and support M&A, restructuring, and financing events involving equity or share-based payments. The position must meet the company-wide in-office policy of four days per week. The stated annual salary range is $165,000–$185,000 for jobs performed in Chicago, and the role is also eligible for bonus pay. Lincoln International is not currently hiring applicants who require employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
At least 7 years of progressively relevant experience.
1–2 years of managerial or supervisory experience.
Experience with financial reporting, equity accounting, and U.S. GAAP compliance.
Familiarity with external audit processes and internal controls.
Proficiency with equity and general accounting software.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, and financial modeling.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong leadership and team management abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial data to non-financial users.
Analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to meet the company-wide in-office work policy of four days per week.

Nice To Haves

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CEP (Certified Equity Professional) certification.
Familiarity with financial planning tools and business intelligence software.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end accounting for equity-based compensation, including stock options, RSUs, PSUs, grant-date fair value calculations, and expense recognition.
Manage accounting for plan modifications, cancellations, forfeitures, accelerations, and settlements.
Partner with HR and Legal on award documentation, approval workflows, and compliance with plan terms.
Serve as a subject matter expert for employees and internal stakeholders on equity award administration and mechanics.
Support the employee experience throughout the equity award lifecycle, including grants, acceptance, vesting, exercise or settlement, withholdings, and departures or forfeitures.
Coordinate with third-party equity administrators and ensure data integrity between systems.
Lead monthly and quarterly close activities for equity compensation and shareholders’ equity, including journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
Prepare and review financial statement equity disclosures, including roll-forwards, weighted-average assumptions, and equity compensation footnotes.
Support SEC reporting, including Form 10-Q and Form 10-K tie-outs and equity disclosures.
Maintain the capitalization table and support equity roll-forward schedules.
Prepare equity-related materials and analyses for the Board of Directors, Compensation Committee, and management as requested.
Partner with Payroll and Tax on equity withholding, payroll tax impacts, and statutory reporting.
Support tax-related accounting, including excess tax benefits or shortfalls where applicable.
Assist with compliance and reporting for employee equity programs across jurisdictions.
Maintain and enhance internal controls over equity processes, including access controls, change management, and reconciliations.
Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors on equity-related requests and audit support.
Drive process improvements, automation, and documentation of equity accounting workflows and policies.
Advise stakeholders on equity accounting implications of new plans, grants, and transactions.
Train and mentor accounting staff or cross-functional partners on equity accounting processes and best practices.
Support M&A, restructuring, and financing events as they relate to equity and share-based payments.