Senior Manager - Financial Accounting

Join to apply for the Senior Manager - Financial Accounting role at Kirkland & Ellis

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 22 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you a strategic, forward-thinking accounting leader ready to modernize and elevate a firm-wide financial accounting framework? In this pivotal role, the Senior Manager of Financial Accounting will lead the modernization of the Firm’s general ledger structure and financial accounting processes, working cross-functionally to strengthen financial reporting, enhance operational efficiency, and support data-driven decision making. This role sits within the Firm’s Finance function and requires a leader with deep technical accounting expertise paired with strong systems thinking.

You will champion the streamlining of the chart of accounts, drive standardization across key financial accounting workflows, and build enhanced financial controls that support both internal and external reporting needs. This role is ideal for an innovative accounting professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and is motivated to build scalable, modernized financial systems that enable long‑term growth.

• General Ledger Modernization — Evaluate, redesign, and enhance the general ledger framework and chart of accounts to support updated financial reporting needs, complex consolidation requirements, and evolving business models across jurisdictions.
• Integrated Reporting Structure — Integrate all journal activity into a unified ledger structure capable of reporting cash, accrual, and local statutory books on both calendar and fiscal year bases.
• GL Management & Oversight — Manage and maintain general ledger books, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with Firm standards.
• Process Transformation — Align financial accounting workflows (i.e., reconciliations, journal entry processing, financial reporting, etc.) with Firm-wide strategic initiatives; identify needed skills, technologies, and processes to drive greater efficiency and scalability.
• Intercompany Solutions — Document, implement, and optimize processes and procedures for intercompany settlements.
• Team Leadership — Lead, manage, and develop direct reports, fostering a high‑performance, collaborative environment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration — Partner with teams across the Firm to address accounting matters, deliver exceptional service, and solve complex financial challenges.
• Special Projects — Support and lead additional complex accounting initiatives in partnership with Finance leadership.
• Standards & Compliance — Maintain strong knowledge of Firm policies, procedures, and accounting standards to ensure consistency and compliance across financial operations.

What You’ll Bring

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range

Chicago : $170,000 - $185,000

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now".

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

#J-18808-Ljbffr