Senior Accounting Associate (Hybrid - Chicago, IL)

Our client is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our client shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces, and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people, and our communities. Our client is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $18.0 billion, operations in over 80 countries, and a global workforce of more than 93,000 as of December 31, 2019.

We are seeking a Senior Accounting Associate on a contract basis to help support their ongoing business needs. This role is hybrid in Chicago, IL.

The Senior Accounting Associate performs a variety of professional-level accounting duties involved in preparing, maintaining, analyzing, verifying, and reconciling moderately complex financial transactions, statements, records, and reports. You will maintain the accuracy of the ledgers and financial systems; assist in the preparation of annual audits and year-end closings. The Senior Accounting Associate must have great attention to detail, be able to solve complex problems, work independently, and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting

• Prepare month-end closing activities, ensuring accurate monthly and quarterly reporting in compliance with accounting standards and company policies.
• Deliver timely and accurate financial information to management, investors, and stakeholders.

Intercompany Reconciliation

• Review and validate intercompany transactions across multiple entities for accuracy and completeness.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies through collaboration with counterparts in other entities to ensure proper recording and elimination of open balances.

Revenue System Reconciliation

• Reconcile revenue systems and investigate variances.
• Resolve reconciliation issues to maintain accurate financial records.

Compliance and Audit Support

• Support external audit processes by coordinating documentation and ensuring the accuracy of provided financial information.
• Address audit findings and assist in implementing corrective actions.

Controls and Policy Compliance

• Ensure all accounting processes adhere to internal controls, policies, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Verify that transactions are properly authorized, recorded, and documented.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and enhance the quality of internal controls.
• Collaborate with Business Finance to review, recommend, and implement best practice process modifications.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Collaborate with business leaders to develop annual budgets and long-term financial forecasts.
• Monitor actual performance versus budget targets and prepare variance analysis with actionable insights.

Financial Analysis

• Perform complex financial analyses, including profitability assessments, ROI calculations, and KPI tracking.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities to enhance financial decision-making and improve performance.

Internal Controls

• Design and implement internal control systems to protect company assets and ensure compliance with regulations and corporate policies.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments to monitor the effectiveness of internal controls and recommend improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 2–5 years of relevant accounting experience; real estate industry experience is a plus.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and strong analytical capabilities.
• Proficiency in Excel and other spreadsheet tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Committed to delivering high-quality client service in a professional and diverse environment.

We offer a competitive salary range for this position. Most candidates who join our team are hired at the median of this range, ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Contractor benefits are available through our 3rd Party Employer of Record (Available upon completion of waiting period for eligible engagements) Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.