Finance Associate

Zuckerman Investment Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Professional growth

Discretionary bonus opportunities

Job summary

Zuckerman Investment Group, based in Chicago, is seeking a highly organized accounting professional to manage financial statements, compliance, and reporting. You will collaborate with senior leadership and external firms, supporting tax returns, audits, and regulatory filings while driving process improvements across the finance function.

The role offers exposure to cross-functional initiatives, client billing, accounts payable/receivable, and relationship management with banks and vendors,

Qualifications

• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Strong interest in accounting and finance with numerical analysis.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in fast-paced settings.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the firm’s books and records to produce monthly financial statements.
• Coordinate with third-party firms for tax returns and private fund audits.
• Update and distribute data related to private funds.
• Support billing by calculating, processing, and reconciling quarterly fees.
• Assist accounts payable and receivable functions.
• Manage relationships with banks and vendors.
• Assist with annual filings and insurance renewals.
• Contribute to regulatory filings and compliance reviews.
• Execute projects to enhance finance processes and reporting.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Financial analysis

Excel

Communication

Team collaboration

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA designation

0–3 years experience

Internship or co-op in accounting/finance

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Rippling

MS Office (Excel/Outlook/Word)

Job description

JobDescription

We areseekinga highly motivated, exceptionally detail-oriented professional to join our team and help manage and enhance the firm’s finance, accounting, reporting, and compliance functions. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain broad exposure to all aspects of a growing wealth management firm while partnering closely with senior leadership and working directly with the Senior FinanceAssociate. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and eager to contribute to a collaborative environment where continuous improvement, operational excellence, and innovation are valued.

Through this role, you will play a keypartinmaintainingthe firm’s financial integrity, supporting regulatory and operational requirements, and driving process enhancements across the finance function. You will alsohave the opportunity toparticipatein cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that support firmobjectives, adapt to evolving business needs, and contribute yourexpertiseto opportunities that extend beyond core finance responsibilities.

Job Function &Responsibilities:

• Maintain the firm’s books and records to produce and analyze monthly financial statements.

• Coordinate with third-party accounting firms tofacilitatethe preparation of our company tax returns and annual private fund audit.

• Update, gather and distribute data related to the firm’s private funds.

• Support the firm’s client billing process by calculating, processing, and reconciling quarterly fees and client statements.

• Support the firm’s accounts payable and receivable functions.

• Manage relationships with the firm’s banks and vendors.

• Assistwith the preparation of annual business filings and insurance renewals.

• Assistin annual and quarterly regulatory filings and compliance reviews.

• Execute various projects within the finance function to enhance processes andreporting needs.

• Participates in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that support firmobjectives, adapting to evolving businessneeds,and contributingexpertiseto opportunities that extend beyond core responsibilities.

Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.

• Strong interest in accounting and finance, with a passion for working with numbers and financial analysis.

• Strong work ethic with exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, solve complex problems, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.

• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

• Proficiencyin Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Familiarity with accounting, finance, and payroll systems such as QuickBooksOnlineor Rippling is preferred.

Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountingrequired; candidates currently pursuing abachelor’s degree in Accountingand expected to graduate within the next 12 months will be considered.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation ora strong desireto pursue the CPA credential.

• 0–3 years of professional experience in accounting, finance, ora relatedfield.

• Previousinternship or co-op experience in accounting, finance, ora relatedfield preferred.

SALARYAND BENEFITS:

Theanticipatedbase salary range for this position is$65,000 – 80,000 annually. Actual compensation will bedeterminedbased on factors such as education, experience, skills, job-related knowledge, geographic location, and other business considerations.

Base salary is only onecomponentof our total rewards package. Eligible employees may participate in a competitive benefits program that includes health insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, a profit-sharing 401(k) retirement plan (when eligible), opportunities for professional growth, and, where applicable, discretionary bonus opportunities subject to company policy and individual and/or company performance.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.