About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you a detail-driven accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working at the intersection of finance and private equity? As an Investment Partnerships Senior Accountant, you’ll play a key role supporting the Firm’s Financial Accounting and Investment Partnerships teams. You’ll help ensure accuracy across accounting, reconciliations, and reporting for private equity investments while contributing to process improvements and system enhancements. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on financial integrity while growing your expertise in investment partnerships and performance analytics.

• Reconciliation Oversight: Prepare and review monthly bank account reconciliations for firm and investment partnership activity, ensuring accuracy and resolving discrepancies quickly.
• Transaction Analysis: Review and analyze capital calls, distributions, and other fund transactions to ensure proper accounting treatment and timely recording.
• Journal Entry Support: Prepare supporting documentation for manual journal entries and collaborate with the Investment Partnerships team to ensure accurate posting.
• Financial Reporting Support: Contribute to the preparation of financial analyses (for investments allocated across multiple funds), schedules, and data used for annual financial statements.
• Audit Coordination: Support annual external audits by preparing schedules, responding to auditor requests, and ensuring timely completion of engagements.
• System & Process Improvements: Identify opportunities to streamline reconciliation and reporting processes, leveraging automation and emerging tools, including AI-enabled solutions, to improve efficiency and accuracy – and actively contribute to implementing those changes, with an eye toward downstream impacts across the team and broader finance function.
• Platform Enhancement: Assist with testing, implementation, and enhancement of the Dynamo investment tracking platform and its financial modules.
• Team Development: Mentor and support Staff Accountants by reviewing work and contributing to training and knowledge sharing.
• Project Contributions: Participate in finance-related projects and perform ad hoc analysis to support evolving business needs.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance required, CPA certification is preferred; with 3+ years of accounting, finance, and/or audit experience, with experience in funds accounting in a fast-paced, demanding environment and a general understanding of the private equity industry.
• Fund Accounting: Experience in accounting for various types of entities including private equity funds and funds of funds.
• Analytical Strength: Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and deliver clear insights.
• Communication & Collaboration: Effective written and verbal communication skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and strong interpersonal abilities.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering quality work in a dynamic environment.
• Ownership Mindset: Ability to work independently, take initiative, and confidently drive tasks to completion.
• Continuous Improvement: Eagerness to learn, grow, and contribute to process improvements and innovation within the team.
• Technical Expertise: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with advanced Excel skills and the ability to manage large datasets; familiarity with Elite 3E and Dynamo is a plus.

If you’re excited to combine financial expertise with process innovation and make a meaningful impact as an Investment Partnerships Senior Accountant, we’d love to hear from you!

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Chicago: $100,000 - $125,000

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

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.

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