Senior Accountant: Capital Investments & Software Assets

Financeroles; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust in Chicago seeks a seasoned accounting professional to lead enterprise financial accounting for capital expenditures and capitalized software within the Corporate Controller’s Group. You will partner across Technology, Procurement, Finance, and BU Finance to ensure proper capitalization, depreciation, and disclosure.

The role requires 7+ years in accounting, a degree in accounting, and familiarity with GAAP/SOX.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant accounting experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• CPA preferred.
• Public accounting experience a plus.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with PeopleSoft GL, Hyperion Financial Management, Clarity PPM, and Trintech Certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise financial accounting over capital expenditures, fixed assets, and capitalized software, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP, SOX, and internal policies.
• Oversee fixed assets and software investments lifecycle, including capitalization, depreciation, useful life, and impairment considerations.
• Review and approve IT investment spending, capital project requests, and project funding changes for proper classification.
• Evaluate vendor contracts and software agreements for accounting treatment and financial impact.
• Maintain software asset records linked to ServiceNow and project data.
• Coordinate with Technology, PMO, BU Finance, and others on WIP, go-live, write-offs, and analyses.
• Prepare and support fixed asset, depreciation, amortization, and board/SEC reporting deliverables.
• Monitor project financial and status performance, including amortization movements and one-time adjustments.
• Resolve accounting issues such as invoice coding and project billing corrections during close.
• Serve as primary liaison across Technology, Procurement, BU Finance, SEC Reporting, and audit stakeholders.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

SOX knowledge

Financial reporting

Accounting experience

Audit coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

PeopleSoft GL

Hyperion Financial Management

Clarity PPM

Trintech Certification

Job description

Northern Trust in Chicago seeks a seasoned accounting professional to lead enterprise financial accounting for capital expenditures and capitalized software within the Corporate Controller’s Group. You will partner across Technology, Procurement, Finance, and BU Finance to ensure proper capitalization, depreciation, and disclosure.

The role requires 7+ years in accounting, a degree in accounting, and familiarity with GAAP/SOX.