VP of Accounting and Administration to CFO

Vice President of Accounting & Administration (If out of the Chicago area you must be able to relo within 1 year with our relo assistance) This is a Hybrid role.

We are seeking a high-impact financial executive to serve as Vice President of Accounting & Administration, with a clear and intentional path to Chief Financial Officer.

This role is designed for a leader who thinks beyond debits and credits — someone who can modernize infrastructure, elevate financial insight, represent the firm at the board level, and help shape long-term strategy.

The successful candidate will be both technically rigorous and strategically influential, capable of operating at the detail level while contributing meaningfully to executive decision-making and governance.

• Oversee all accounting operations, including General Ledger, monthly close, and consolidated financial reporting
• Direct preparation and oversight of monthly, departmental, and multi-entity P&Ls
• Lead revenue and expense variance analysis with actionable executive insights
• Reconcile accrual-based reporting to cash-based financial statements
• Oversee complex firm-wide commission calculations
• Ensure integrity, transparency, and timeliness of all financial reporting

• Serve as the firm’s financial representative to a governing board overseeing three Mutual Funds and three ETFs
• Support board-level reporting, governance standards, and regulatory alignment
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic financial initiatives

• Optimize and evolve Sage accounting systems
• Drive automation of manual accounting workflows
• Develop and oversee KPI dashboards that enhance operational visibility
• Strengthen internal controls and scalable financial infrastructure

• Lead and develop a team of 10+ accounting professionals
• Build bench strength and succession planning within finance
• Oversee administrative operations through direct management of the Office Manager (facilities, vendor coordination, reception, communications systems)

• Bachelor’s or Masters degree required; CPA strongly preferred
• 8+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience with increasing scope and influence
• Demonstrated success leading accounting teams of 5+ professionals
• Experience managing multi-entity or complex financial structures
• Strong systems orientation with a track record of automation and operational improvement
• Executive presence with the ability to interact confidently in board settings
• Asset management or financial services experience preferred

• A highly disciplined, efficient close process
• Executive-ready financial reporting and KPIs
• Modernized systems and reduced manual processes
• Strong governance posture in board and fund oversight
• Seamless progression into the CFO role

This is not a back-office accounting leadership position. It is a strategic succession role for a finance executive ready to broaden their influence, strengthen enterprise infrastructure, and transition into a CFO seat.