Senior Associate - Business Unit Controllership - Private Assets

MSCI Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 114,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Advanced technology and collaboration

Learning resources (Learning@MSCI / AI

Job summary

MSCI Inc. is seeking a hands-on Senior Associate level Business Unit Controller for the All Other - Private Assets segment in Chicago.

You will own revenue recognition across subscription and transactional streams, working with Legal, Sales Ops and FP&A to ensure ASC 606 compliance and accurate reporting. You will operate in RevStream and SAP, prepare period-end packages, and contribute to SOX controls and process improvements with AI-enabled initiatives.

Qualifications

• CPA or international equivalent required.
• 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience with a focus on revenue recognition.
• Strong working knowledge of ASC 606 and revenue models.
• Experience in a public company environment with SOX exposure.
• Proficient with Excel and large data sets; financial reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Own revenue recognition accounting for the business unit across subscription/recurring and transactional revenue streams per ASC 606.
• Review contracts with Legal and Sales Ops to determine revenue treatment.
• Manage configurations and data in RevStream; ensure accurate revenue schedules and deferred/contract liabilities.
• Post revenue-related journal entries in SAP: deferred revenue, contract assets, adjustments.
• Perform diligence for acquisitions and lead post-close integration.
• Collaborate with Sales/Client Coverage to understand deal structures and renewals.

Skills

CPA

Revenue recognition

ASC 606

SOX compliance

Excel

Financial reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

RevStream

SAP

Salesforce

Job description

Your Team Responsibilities

MSCI's All Other - Private Assets operating segment is one of the firm's fastest-growing areas, and we are looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Business Unit Controller to join the team at the Senior Associate level.

This role reports to the Executive Director, Business Unit Controller for the All Other - Private Assets segment and works closely with a broad set of cross-functional partners including FP&A, Sales Operations, Legal, Corporate Strategy, Sales and Client Coverage organizations, and Business Technology. The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting skills under ASC 606, a working knowledge of revenue systems, and a genuine interest in leveraging AI tools to work smarter and drive process improvement for a business unit generating $200M–$500M in revenue across subscription and transactional product streams.

Your Key Ressponsibilities

Revenue Accounting & Advisory

• Own revenue recognition accounting for the business unit across subscription/recurring and transactional product revenue streams in accordance with ASC 606


• Review and assess new and amended contracts in partnership with Legal and Sales Operations to determine appropriate revenue recognition treatment


• Work directly in RevStream to manage configurations, system interfaces, and data integrity; ensure accurate revenue schedules and deferred/contract liability balances


• Prepare and post revenue-related journal entries in SAP, including deferred revenue, contract assets, and adjustments


• Perform Diligence procedures for potential acquisition targets and lead subsequent integration


• Partner with the Sales and Client Coverage organizations to understand deal structures, modifications, and contract renewals and ensure they are accounted for correctly


• Collaborate with Business Technology on system enhancements, data feeds, and automation initiatives that touch the revenue accounting workflow

Period-End Reporting

• Prepare and deliver period-end management reporting packages in conjunction with the monthly close, including revenue variance analysis, commentary, and key metrics


• Partner with FP&A to ensure actuals reporting is accurate, timely, and consistent with forecast and budget assumptions


• Develop clear, concise narratives that explain revenue performance drivers to finance leadership and business partners


• Maintain and continuously improve reporting templates, schedules, and supporting workpapers

SOX Compliance & Internal Controls

• Execute SOX controls related to revenue recognition; prepare documentation and evidence in support of quarterly and annual testing cycles


• Coordinate with internal audit and the external auditors on revenue-related walkthroughs, PBC deliverables, and audit inquiries


• Identify control gaps or process inefficiencies and propose improvements to strengthen the overall control environment

AI & Process Innovation

• Actively seek out and apply AI tools to automate manual processes, improve reporting accuracy, and enhance analytical output


• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to modernize accounting workflows within the business unit


• Engage with Business Technology partners to evaluate and implement AI-enabled solutions relevant to the revenue accounting and reporting cycle

Your skills and experience that will help you excel

Required

• CPA required (or international equivalent)


• 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience with a focus on revenue recognition


• Solid working knowledge of ASC 606, including application to subscription and transactional revenue models


• Experience in a public company environment with SOX compliance exposure


• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with financial reporting; comfortable working with large data sets


• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deliverables including recurring periodic deliverables and ad-hoc project-based deliverables


• Strong communicator — able to work effectively with cross-functional partners including Sales, Legal, FP&A, and Technology

Preferred

• Big 4 or national firm public accounting background


• Experience in financial services, data/analytics, or technology industries


• Familiarity with AI tools applied to accounting or finance workflows (e.g., automation, anomaly detection, reporting)


• Hands-on experience with SAP (GL, AR, or revenue modules) and RevStream or a comparable revenue subledger


• Experience with Salesforce as it relates to contract and order data supporting revenue processes


• Experience supporting external audits as a primary preparer

About MSCI

What we offer you

• Salary range: $114,000 - $148,000 / year.Plus eligible for annual bonus.Transparent compensation schemes and comprehensive employee benefits, tailored to your location, ensuring your financial security, health, and overall wellbeing.

• Flexible working arrangements, advanced technology, and collaborative workspaces.

• A culture of high performance and innovation where we experiment with new ideas and take responsibility for achieving results.

• A global network of talented colleagues, who inspire, support, and share their expertise to innovate and deliver for our clients.

• Global Orientation program to kickstart your journey, followed by access to our Learning@MSCI platform, AI Learning Center , LinkedIn Learning Pro and tailored learning opportunities for ongoing skills development.

• Multi-directional career paths that offer professional growth and development through new challenges, internal mobility and expanded roles.

• We actively nurture an environment that builds a sense of inclusion belonging and connection, including eight Employee Resource Groups. All Abilities, Asian Support Network, Black Leadership Network, Climate Action Network, Hola! MSCI, Pride & Allies, Women in Tech, and Women’s Leadership Forum.

At MSCI we are passionate about what we do, and we are inspired by our vision – to power better decisions. You’ll be part of an industry-leading network of creative, curious, and entrepreneurial pioneers. This is a space where you can challenge yourself, set new standards and perform beyond expectations for yourself, our clients, and our industry.

MSCI strengthens global markets by connecting participants across the financial ecosystem with a common language. Our research-based data, analytics and indexes, supported by advanced technology, set standards for global investors and help our clients understand risks and opportunities so they can make better decisions and unlock innovation. We serve asset managers and owners, private-market sponsors and investors, hedge funds, wealth managers, banks, insurers and corporates.

MSCI Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy (including unlawful discrimination on the basis of a legally protected parental leave), veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. MSCI is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please email [e-mail] and indicate the specifics of the assistance needed. Please note, this e-mail is intended only for individuals who are requesting a reasonable workplace accommodation; it is not intended for other inquiries.