Sr. Accountant - Financial Close and Consolidation

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure:
Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.

With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

This position is part of the Close, Consolidations, and Reporting team within the Corporate Controller's Group and is responsible for owning key aspects of the monthly global close, consolidation, and financial reporting processes for the Corporation. The role partners closely with SEC Reporting, Investor Relations, Finance, Technology, Operations, and other business stakeholders to deliver accurate, timely, and insightful financial information.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, proactive accountant who can operate independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive deliverables to completion in a fast-paced environment. In addition to executing close and reporting activities, the individual will be expected to identify risks, solve problems, influence stakeholders, and continuously improve accounting, reporting, and control processes.

This position offers broad visibility across the organization and significant exposure to senior leaders. The role reports to a Vice President in Chicago, who also serves as the ESG Controller. This is a hybrid role based in Chicago, with an expectation to be in the office 60% of the time.

• Own critical aspects of the monthly close, consolidation, and financial reporting processes.
• Prepare and review financial statements, journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting analyses.
• Support SEC reporting, legal entity accounting, and complex accounting matters.
• Perform financial and variance analysis to identify business drivers, risks, and reporting impacts.
• Partner with finance, business, audit, and executive stakeholders to communicate results and resolve issues.
• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and control enhancements.
• Maintain compliance with SOX, internal controls, corporate policies, and audit requirements.
• Lead cross‑functional efforts to deliver accurate, timely, and high‑quality reporting.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required; CPA preferred.
• 7+ years of accounting, financial reporting, close, or consolidation experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, consolidations, intercompany accounting, and foreign currency accounting.
• Experience in a public company, multi‑entity, multi‑currency environment.
• Experience supporting audits, SOX compliance, and internal controls.
• Experience with People Soft, HFM, and/or Workiva preferred.
• Ability to understand impacts across legal entity, segment, and consolidated reporting.

• Strong ownership, accountability, and sound judgment.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Effective communicator with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to drive issues to resolution and influence cross‑functional teams.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and process efficiency.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office applications.

Hybrid. This position is based in Chicago, with an expectation to be in the office 60% of the time and the remaining time worked remotely.

$83,100 – 141,300 USD. Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time…