Senior Accountant
Location: Chicago, IL (in office)
Compensation: Annual base salary ranges from $130,000 to $150,000 + Bonus
Type: Full time, direct hire
We are partnering with an established Chicago based proprietary trading and market making firm to find a motivated, detail oriented Senior Accountant for their Finance team. This is a full time, in office, direct hire position.
The Senior Accountant is central to keeping the firm's financial records accurate and complete, supporting regulatory compliance, and driving smarter, more efficient accounting processes. Our client is looking for someone who brings experience from a broker dealer or financial services setting, a strong command of GAAP, and the instinct to spot inefficiencies and fix them before they become problems.
Our client has built a team of talented technologists, data driven traders, and seasoned leaders around four pillars: people, process, trading edge, and technology. They work in office because they believe a collaborative, communicative culture is built face to face.
What You'll Do
General Ledger and Monthly Close
- Own and run the monthly and quarterly close, including journal entries, accounts payable, account reconciliations, and variance analysis
- Maintain the general ledger and safeguard the accuracy and completeness of all financial data
- Partner with accounting, operations, and trading teams to reconcile trade invoicing
Regulatory Reporting
- Keep current on applicable SEC and FINRA financial responsibility rules, including SEC Rule 15c3 1, and help ensure the firm stays compliant
- Prepare monthly and quarterly FINRA reporting accurately and on time
- Work alongside external auditors, regulators, and compliance staff as needed
Tax Preparation and Compliance
- Help prepare federal, state, and local tax returns and estimated tax payments
- Support the annual tax provision process and maintain tax related workpapers and documentation
- Coordinate with outside tax advisors on planning and compliance
- Track changes in tax legislation that affect broker dealers and proprietary trading operations
Financial Statements and Reporting
- Produce accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements under GAAP
- Support management reporting and financial analysis for senior leadership
- Drive the annual audit as a primary contact for external auditors, preparing schedules and supporting documentation
- Deliver financial reports accurately and on schedule
Technology and Process Improvement
- Own the firm's corporate card and expense reimbursement program, including policy enforcement, employee communication, and monthly reporting
- Find ways to streamline and automate accounting workflows
- Help evaluate and roll out new accounting systems and technology
- Document accounting policies and procedures and recommend stronger internal controls
- Work across functions with technology and operations teams on finance related system projects
What Our Client Is Looking For
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- 4 to 7 years of progressive accounting experience, ideally within a broker dealer, proprietary trading firm, or regulated financial services environment
- Strong working knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards
- Willingness to sit for FINRA licensing exams as the role requires
Preferred
- Experience with options, derivatives, or equity securities accounting
- Active CPA license or in progress
- Exposure to process automation tools or accounting system implementations
- Public accounting experience
Compensation
Annual base salary ranges from $130,000 to $150,000, influenced by qualifications and experience. The role is also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus that can make up a meaningful share of total compensation, along with additional benefits.
Why This Role
Our client is a leading, technology driven proprietary market making firm working with some of the most advanced technology and software in the market. They stay at the front of the industry through a constant focus on innovation, automation, and data driven analysis.
What our client offers:
- Excellent a la carte medical, dental, and vision coverage, with free employee coverage
- 401(k) match
- Generous parental leave
- Stocked kitchen plus daily breakfast and lunch stipends
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
- Employee discounts at gyms, national brands, and more
- Charity match of up to $2,000 per year to the causes you care about
- In person happy hours, celebrations, game nights, and team events throughout the year