Investment Accountant (Experienced or Entry-Level)

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

Solutions for Today’s Challenges. Vision for Tomorrow’s Opportunities. Join the Premier Global Boutique: William Blair.

At William Blair, serving our clients starts with the capabilities and collaboration of our team—making our employees our most important asset. Unlike others, we're an independent partnership that is personally committed to our people and clients. What sets us apart is the way we do it—our culture, our values, and our commitment to local communities.

We strive to attract the most qualified, passionate candidates who specialize in investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, and a variety of other business functions.

Currently, our firm has more than 1,900 employees throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

A top priority of ours is talent development, fostering professional and personal growth of our employees. We take pride in empowering our people to bring their best thinking each day so we can deliver the tailored, thoughtful work and problem-solving abilities that our clients have come to expect.

We work tirelessly to create an inclusive culture. Our employees have unique experiences, perspectives and backgrounds to thoughtfully meet the evolving challenges and opportunities facing our global client base amid dynamic market conditions and varying industries, whether technological, economic or geopolitical.

We are equally proud of our long-term partnerships with the communities in which we live and work, a legacy we inherited from our founder more than 85 years ago.

For more information about our firm, log onto williamblair.com.

William Blair Investment Management is committed to building enduring relationships with our clients. We work closely with private and public pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, and sovereign wealth funds, as well as financial advisors. We are 100% active-employee-owned with broad-based ownership. Our investment teams are solely focused on active management and employ disciplined, analytical research processes across a wide range of strategies, including U.S. equity, non-U.S. equity, emerging markets debt, and multi-asset. William Blair is based in Chicago with global resources providing expertise and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs.

JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES:

We are seeking an Investment Accountant to perform accounting reconciliation responsibilities for assigned equity investment accounts and to serve as a subject matter expert to both external and internal clients. Specific responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Perform accounting reconciliation responsibilities for assigned equity 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.
• Effectively analyze more complex issues and serve as escalation point for the team.
• Lead or 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.
• Develop and maintain subject matter expertise of investment accounting principles.
• Serve as a backup for investment accountants when coverage needs arise.
• Assist supervisor and team lead with training and mentoring of new investment accountants.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or related field required
• Progress towards an MBA, CPA or CFA preferred but not required
• Experience in an investment accounting role required (level of role will depend on years' experience)
• Experience working with or at an investment management firm (equities)
• 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
• Ability to work from our downtown Chicago office 2x a week

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60606