Kirkland & Ellis
Staff Accountant
Kirkland & Ellis, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
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 alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; 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 more than 3,500 lawyers) operating from 21 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.
Essential Job Functions
The Staff Accountant is responsible for preparing reconciliations, financial reports and analyses in support of monthly and annual financial accounting cycles. This individual will work with the Accounting Supervisor, other Finance leaders, and various office and functional department leaders. The Staff Accountant will also assist on various finance related projects and initiatives.
During a quarter of a year, this individual will also support the accounting and reporting functions related to the Firm's private equity Investment Partnerships program, including data entry, transaction review, and financial reporting preparation. The Staff Accountant will work closely with the Investment Partnerships group in this timeframe.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)Assist with various balance sheet reconciliations, including but not limited to monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations for all U.S. offices, monthly fixed assets reconciliations for all offices, unclaimed property reconciliations for all U.S. offices, prepaid expenses reconciliations, and accrued expenses reconciliations for all offices; identify improvements to enhance the process.Prepare adjusting manual journal entries and post approved entries as received.Create, update and distribute monthly general ledger and ad hoc reports for various offices and functional groups within the Firm.Support the enhancement of general ledger guidance and related reference materials.Assist with updates to the general ledger chart of accounts and maintain in all accounting related systems.Assist with the Firm's various 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.In addition to the essential functions above, the Staff Accountant will collaborate in the annual external audit engagements for the Investment Partnerships group, encompassing the following tasks:
Update financial statements workbooks using data from two sources: Dynamo (internal investment software) and investor statements. Review and reconcile any variances between the two datasets.Generate and reconcile annual reports using Dynamo.Aid in the compilation of support documentation requested by auditors.Research discrepancies in prior and current year data provided to auditors.Assist in the preparation of financial statements and supplemental schedules.Qualifications & Requirements
The Staff Accountant will have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business and a minimum of two to three years of related experience. This individual should be a CPA or actively pursuing CPA certification.Prior experience in Public Accounting or at a law firm/other professional services company is a plus.Prior experience in funds accounting in a fast-paced, demanding environment and a general understanding of the private equity industry is a plus.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.Individuals are expected to exhibit strong customer service skills and a commitment to excellence.The successful candidate will be capable of working with all levels of Firm personnel, both as a part of a team and independently.Technologies/Software
Strong knowledge of full Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc) with advanced Excel skills and the ability to work with large data sets.Experience with Elite 3E, OneStream, Dynamo, DataSnipper, and/or Sage Fixed Asset software is a plus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office environment.
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_MP1
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 alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; 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 more than 3,500 lawyers) operating from 21 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.
Essential Job Functions
The Staff Accountant is responsible for preparing reconciliations, financial reports and analyses in support of monthly and annual financial accounting cycles. This individual will work with the Accounting Supervisor, other Finance leaders, and various office and functional department leaders. The Staff Accountant will also assist on various finance related projects and initiatives.
During a quarter of a year, this individual will also support the accounting and reporting functions related to the Firm's private equity Investment Partnerships program, including data entry, transaction review, and financial reporting preparation. The Staff Accountant will work closely with the Investment Partnerships group in this timeframe.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)Assist with various balance sheet reconciliations, including but not limited to monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations for all U.S. offices, monthly fixed assets reconciliations for all offices, unclaimed property reconciliations for all U.S. offices, prepaid expenses reconciliations, and accrued expenses reconciliations for all offices; identify improvements to enhance the process.Prepare adjusting manual journal entries and post approved entries as received.Create, update and distribute monthly general ledger and ad hoc reports for various offices and functional groups within the Firm.Support the enhancement of general ledger guidance and related reference materials.Assist with updates to the general ledger chart of accounts and maintain in all accounting related systems.Assist with the Firm's various 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.In addition to the essential functions above, the Staff Accountant will collaborate in the annual external audit engagements for the Investment Partnerships group, encompassing the following tasks:
Update financial statements workbooks using data from two sources: Dynamo (internal investment software) and investor statements. Review and reconcile any variances between the two datasets.Generate and reconcile annual reports using Dynamo.Aid in the compilation of support documentation requested by auditors.Research discrepancies in prior and current year data provided to auditors.Assist in the preparation of financial statements and supplemental schedules.Qualifications & Requirements
The Staff Accountant will have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business and a minimum of two to three years of related experience. This individual should be a CPA or actively pursuing CPA certification.Prior experience in Public Accounting or at a law firm/other professional services company is a plus.Prior experience in funds accounting in a fast-paced, demanding environment and a general understanding of the private equity industry is a plus.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.Individuals are expected to exhibit strong customer service skills and a commitment to excellence.The successful candidate will be capable of working with all levels of Firm personnel, both as a part of a team and independently.Technologies/Software
Strong knowledge of full Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc) with advanced Excel skills and the ability to work with large data sets.Experience with Elite 3E, OneStream, Dynamo, DataSnipper, and/or Sage Fixed Asset software is a plus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office environment.
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_MP1