Accounting Associate, Finance Operations

CIP Fund Solutions; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

CIP Fund Solutions in Chicago seeks an Accounting Associate, Finance Operations to support accounting, financial reporting, and close processes for renewable energy investments across the U.S. and Canada. You will review statements prepared by external providers to ensure GAAP-compliant reporting.

The role reports to the Senior Manager, Finance Operations and requires 1–3 years of relevant experience. The team works in a hybrid model with 3–4 days in the office at 200 S Wacker Drive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Accounting, preferred.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Experience reviewing journal entries, reconciliations, accruals and close activities.

Responsibilities

• Review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reconciliations for GAAP compliance.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes and reporting deliverables.
• Collaborate with external auditors during audits and address findings.
• Support internal controls enhancements and process improvements across accounting operations.
• Identify automation opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Self-motivation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting

Job description

Do you want to join a global leader in renewable energy infrastructure? If so, CIP Fund Solutions is looking for an Accounting Associate, Finance Operations to join our office in Chicago, United States of America.

The CIP FS Americas organization supports a portfolio of operational onshore wind, solar, and battery projects, as well as projects currently under development and construction and all holding companies sitting between the projects and the funds.

CIP FS Americas is located between Chicago and Mexico City responsible for the execution of capital transactions, accounting policy, accounting close, core finance processes, and treasury activities.

The open role reports to our Senior Manager, Finance Operations and will collaborate closely with the Senior Associate and Manager within the Finance Operations team.

As our new Accounting Associate, Finance Operations, you will play a key role in supporting the accounting, financial reporting, and close processes for a portfolio of renewable energy investments across the U.S. and Canada. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Finance Operations, you will review accounting work performed by external service providers and help ensure accurate, timely, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting.

In this position, you will be responsible for reviewing financial statements, supporting audits, improving internal controls, and implementing process improvements across accounting and finance operations activities.

Responsibilities will consist of but are not limited to

• Review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, trial balances, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules prepared by external accounting service providers, ensuring accuracy and compliance with U.S. GAAP.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes by reviewing accounting entries, accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting deliverables.
• Partner with external auditors during annual audits and help ensure timely resolution of audit requests and findings.
• Support the implementation, monitoring, and enhancement of internal controls across accounting and financial reporting processes.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of accounting operations.
• Review and identify accounting implications and contractual reporting requirements, where relevant, for legal agreements including purchase and sale agreements, limited liability company agreements, and statements of work from service providers, with support from the Manager and Senior Manager.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders in both the U.S. and Denmark, including the Investment Team, Tax, Transactions, Asset Management, and other Finance teams.
• Support governance and internal controls related to the procure-to-pay process.

You

We are looking for a motivated individual with 1-3 years of relevant full-time experience in accounting, audit, fund accounting, financial reporting, or finance operations.

In addition, you have experience in improving, automating, or streamlining key processes and workflows and enjoy working in a busy, detail-oriented environment.

We look for the following in a candidate

• Bachelor or Master's degree in Accounting strongly preferred. Candidates with a Finance degree and substantial accounting coursework will also be considered.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles, financial statements, and financial reporting processes.
• Experience reviewing journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and close-related activities.
• Familiarity with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting concepts.
• Experience working with external auditors, accounting service providers, or fund administrators is considered a strong advantage.
• Ability to work on their own and as part of a team.
• Self-motivated with a structured, methodical, and disciplined approach to work, keen attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize effectively while managing changing priorities.
• Results-driven with a high execution orientation and the ability to manage multiple workstreams, address issues pragmatically, and follow tasks through to completion.
• Experience in accounting, audit, fund accounting, financial reporting, renewable energy, infrastructure, private equity, or asset management is preferred.

The ideal candidate combines a well-developed accounting background with initiative and an interest in renewable energy infrastructure investing. This role is particularly well suited for individuals coming from public accounting, audit, fund accounting, financial reporting, or accounting-focused finance operations positions who are looking to broaden their exposure within a global investment organization.

The team has a hybrid schedule (3-4 days per week in the office required) and works from our offices at 200 S Wacker, Chicago.

CIP Fund Solutions’ commitment to diversity and inclusion

CIP Fund Solutions is committed to securing a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone feels respected and heard.

A diverse workforce allows CIP Fund Solutions to achieve results through different approaches and solutions to task execution and problem solving. We want all our employees to have equal opportunities for personal growth and career opportunities regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, or ethnicity.

CIP Fund Solutions

CIP FS’ purpose is to enable CIP’s ambition to scale rapidly over the coming strategy-period - supporting our colleagues with professional and efficient financial, legal, tax and business operations through the cycle from fund formation and capital raising, to deploying investments into construction of large-scale greenfield renewable energy assets, as well as M&A.

For more information, please visit CIP Fund Solutions.