Finance Rotation Associate

Buckingham Search; Oakbrook Terrace (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckingham Search presents an Associate, Finance Leadership Development Rotation program for the Western Suburbs. This multi-year, two-rotation program offers hands-on experience in Internal Audit and FP&A, with onboarding, mentorship, and leadership exposure, preparing participants for future finance leadership roles.

Participants may advance to Controller, Assistant Controller, FP&A Manager/Director, or other leadership positions, with potential relocation to company operating locations upon

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, IS, or related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• Approximately 2–5 years of finance or accounting experience.
• Experience with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, or internal audit preferred.
• Big 4 or professional services experience strongly preferred.
• Relevant certifications such as CPA, CIA, CISA, or CISSP preferred, or pursuing certification.

Responsibilities

• Execute projects supporting the organization’s internal audit plan.
• Assist with audit planning, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up.
• Partner with business leaders across multiple operating segments.
• Evaluate business risks and internal controls; identify improvement opportunities.
• Communicate and elevate significant findings to management and coordinate with external providers.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting activities for corporate functions.
• Partner with cross-functional and international teams to develop annual budgets and monthly forecasts.
• Prepare financial materials and presentations for senior leadership and provide ad hoc analysis.

Skills

Financial planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Internal audit

Big 4 experience

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Associate, Finance Leadership Development Rotation

Location: Western Suburbs

Our client is a diversified global manufacturer with a large, multi-segment business and a strong focus on operational excellence, innovation, and long-term growth.

This multi-year Finance Leadership Development Program is designed to build well-rounded finance professionals through hands-on experience across core finance functions. Over approximately two years, participants will complete two rotations of roughly one year each, gaining exposure to both Internal Audit and FP&A.

The program provides structured onboarding, training, mentorship, and visibility to senior finance leadership, with the goal of preparing participants for long-term leadership opportunities across the organization.

Rotation Structure

• First Rotation: Internal Audit or FP&A
• Second Rotation: Internal Audit or FP&A
• Participants receive structured training, oversight, and development throughout each rotation.
• Following completion of the program, participants will be considered for permanent finance leadership opportunities based on business needs, performance, and career interests.
• Potential post-program opportunities may include Controller, Assistant Controller, FP&A Manager/Director, and other finance leadership positions.
• Permanent roles may require relocation to one of the company's operating locations.

What You'll Learn

• Business & Risk Acumen: Gain exposure to business operations, risk management, internal controls, and audit processes.
• Financial Planning & Forecasting: Develop expertise in budgeting and forecasting across both corporate and operating businesses.
• Financial Analysis & Modeling: Analyze financial data, build models, evaluate processes, and develop recommendations for improvement.
• Executive Reporting: Prepare materials and presentations for senior leadership and executive-level meetings.
• Communication & Leadership: Present findings, communicate financial results, upscale risks, and collaborate with senior leaders.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Build relationships across finance, operations, corporate functions, and international teams.

What You'll Do

Internal Audit

• Execute projects supporting the organization's internal audit plan.
• Assist with audit planning, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up activities.
• Partner with business leaders across multiple operating segments.
• Evaluate business risks and internal controls and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work effectively with internal teams and external/co-source professional service providers.
• Communicate and elevate significant findings and observations to appropriate levels of management.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables.

FP&A

• Lead budgeting and forecasting activities for corporate functions.
• Partner with cross-functional and international teams to develop annual budgets and monthly forecasts.
• Support quarterly forecasting and annual budgeting processes across the organization.
• Develop and improve financial planning templates, processes, and reporting.
• Serve as a resource to finance teams regarding financial planning systems and processes.
• Provide financial analysis and support for quarterly earnings and executive reporting.
• Prepare financial materials and presentations for senior leadership.
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and modeling to support business decisions.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Information Systems, or a related field; Master's degree is a plus.
• Approximately 2-5 years of finance or accounting experience.
• Experience with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, or internal audit is preferred.
• Big 4 or professional services experience is strongly preferred.
• Relevant certifications such as CPA, CIA, CISA, or CISSP are preferred, or an interest in pursuing certification.