Our client is a publicly traded company, headquartered in Chicago. They offer an exceptional benefits package and work life balance. They are seeking to hire a Director of Financial Reporting. The Director of Reporting oversees the Firm’s external financial reporting function (SEC financial reporting and compliance) as well as internal quarterly and monthly reporting and is responsible for the technical accounting policy function for the Firm. This position will ensure the timely financial completeness of all periodic, annual, and other financial-related SEC filings. The role is accountable for the timely identification and resolution of accounting issues associated with the Firm’s on-going business operations, as well as significant business transactions and acquisitions, and for determining the appropriate financial statement disclosure requirements of such events.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the periodic financial filings (10-K, 10-Qs), such as MD&A narratives and disclosures. Includes running a reporting calendar, gathering input from executive management to prepare such disclosure and, overseeing preparation of financial filings and reviewing the financial filings.
• Assist the investor relations team with the preparation of the quarterly earnings release and other analyst information needs (i.e., analyst calls and presentations)
• Prepare / oversee quarterly earnings per share calculations
• Responsible for certain aspects of monthly and quarterly internal reporting
• When SEC inquiries are received from their periodic review of Firm’s financial filings, work with Corporate Accounting and Legal as well as the auditors to prepare responses to such inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with Edgar and XBRL SEC filing requirements.
• Monitor industry peers for emerging trends related to financial reporting matters (disclosures, comparable non-GAAP financial measurements).
• Maintain internal control compliance (SOX 404) over Firm’s SEC reporting function and accounting policy.
• Oversee audits and reporting for foreign entities and other regulated entities.
• This position requires a deep understanding of the Firm’s financial statements and technical accounting standards, as it is seen as the primary internal accounting expertise at the Firm, responsible for identifying and resolving technical accounting issues that arise during Firm’s normal business operations as well as Firm’s non-recurring strategic business transactions.
• Serves as the GAAP accounting liaison for other business functions at the Firm, including but not limited to: Fund Accounting and Analysis (fund-level accounting function), Tax, Legal, Human Resources, Treasury, Investor Relations, and Corporate Development
• Typical accounting areas of focus include: consolidation accounting (ASC 810), fair value, stock-based compensation, other compensation, acquisition accounting, non-controlling interests, income taxes, revenue recognition, earnings per share, and non-GAAP / segment reporting
• Uses the resources of the corporate accounting team to research guidance and prepare accounting analyses, and work with external auditors to gain concurrence on Firm’s accounting conclusions
• Participates in the due diligence process with the Firm’s Corporate Development group as Firm’s accounting representative to identify key accounting issues associated with potential acquisitions, including identification of accounting operational issues associated with integration of the accounting function.
• Directs the accounting policy function to monitor emerging accounting guidance from standard setters, to understand the implications of such guidance on Firm’s existing accounting and reporting, and to proactively communicate potential impacts to the CAO, CFO, and other financial reporting stakeholders (e.g., investor relations department).
• Coordinate with other Firm departments to ensure the effective adoption of new accounting pronouncements. Ensure that new accounting processes and procedures necessary for such adoption are put into place and contain the appropriate level of internal controls.
• Supervision the preparation of Firm accounting policies as needed, and supervise the communication and education of such policies to Firm’s accounting teams.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The ideal experience and critical competencies for the role include the following:

• BA/BS in Accounting with outstanding academic credentials; CPA required.
• 12 years of professional experience in technical accounting policy function and/or SEC reporting; prior experience in Big 4 public accounting (manager-level or above) required.
• Background in the financial services industry desired; knowledge of the alternative asset management industry a plus
• Experience with applying accounting guidance related to the following topics: consolidation (ASC 810), fair value, stock-based compensation, acquisition accounting, income taxes.
• Knowledge of SEC financial reporting rules and regulations for periodic reporting (10-K, 10-Qs) and other areas.
• Experience with internal control compliance (SOX 404).
• Strong leadership and communication skills in order to establish trusted relationships across many Firm departments (Corporate Accounting, Fund Accounting and Analysis, Legal, Tax, Human Resources, Corporate Development, Investor Relations) to identify issues, analyze current processes, and implement future changes.
• Experience with Workiva a strong plus.
• In-depth knowledge of US GAAP and proficiency in technical accounting research, analysis,