Senior Accountant, US Firm Accounting Operations

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant is a key member of the Accounting Operations team responsible for independently performing and analyzing accounting activities across various Carlyle consolidated entities. The Senior Accountant will prepare monthly and quarterly account reconciliations, journal entries, and related analysis, including more complex or judgmental areas, for review and approval by Accounting management. The role will also support quarterly and annual audits and reviews by responding to audit requests, preparing PBC deliverables and analyses, and assisting with walkthrough discussions and documentation.

In addition, the Senior Accountant will support the accounting for new, complex, or non-routine transactions and assist in developing effective processes and procedures to ensure transactions are recorded timely and accurately. The Senior Accountant will apply accounting guidance provided by the Accounting Policy team, translate that guidance into accurate accounting entries and operational processes, and recognize when a transaction or accounting matter is unclear or sufficiently complex to require consultation with Accounting management and/or the Accounting Policy team. Examples may include new accounting standards, joint ventures, firm acquisitions, and/or cross-segment costs. The Senior Accountant will also coordinate and communicate with inter- and intra-departmental stakeholders regarding assigned accounting activities and open items.

This position requires a solid foundation in accounting concepts (i.e. Accruals/Contingencies, Prepaid Expenses, Receivables, and Payables) in addition to a strong aptitude for accounting systems, data analysis, and processing high volumes of financial information. Information must be processed quickly and accurately while adhering to deadlines. Depending on the assignment, this role may also provide day-to-day guidance, training, and review support to Staff Accountants while maintaining significant individual contributor responsibilities. Substantially all responsibilities will involve Excel and PeopleSoft. Essential attributes include attention to detail, sound judgment, a willingness to help develop junior team members, and a strong sense of ownership and accountability for assigned responsibilities.

In-Office Requirement: 4 days per week

Primary Responsibilities

Daily and Monthly activities (50% of time):

• Provide day-to-day guidance and support to Staff Accountants, as assigned.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting documentation prepared by Staff Accountants; approve routine work within established review thresholds and escalate complex or judgmental matters to the Manager.
• Independently prepare and analyze journal entries, account reconciliations, and related accounting support for assigned activities, including more complex or judgmental areas such as accruals and reserves.
• Coordinate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders regarding assigned accounting activities, deliverables, and open items.
• Analyze account activity, trends, and balance sheet reconciliations to identify errors, unusual balances, missing transactions, aged reconciling items, or other issues; research underlying causes, propose corrective actions, and escalate significant matters as appropriate.
• Anticipate issues as they arise, exercise judgment in determining an appropriate course of action, develop proposed solutions, and communicate risks, delays, and recommendations to the Manager and other stakeholders as appropriate.

Special projects/transaction accounting (20% of time):

• Support the implementation of processes and procedures related to new or updated accounting guidance, including translating guidance provided by the Accounting Policy team into accounting entries, reconciliations, operational procedures, and training for Staff Accountants, as applicable.
• Analyze new or non-routine transactions and arrangements to understand the underlying facts, apply established accounting guidance, and determine the appropriate accounting execution.
• Exercise judgment in identifying matters that are unclear, complex, or outside established guidance and coordinate with the Manager and Accounting Policy team to obtain additional guidance as appropriate.
• Assist in establishing efficient processes and procedures to record transactions in accordance with approved accounting guidance and communicate approved processes and procedures to impacted teams.
• Manage assigned ad hoc requests and special projects through timely completion, escalating issues as appropriate.

Quarterly and Annual activities (20% of time):

• Prepare reports and analysis for auditors and Accounting leadership.
• Support adherence to firm policies, SOX controls, service agreements, and other applicable controls or agreements within assigned areas.

Other functions (10% of time):

• Provide regular coaching and feedback to Staff Accountants, as assigned, and contribute to performance discussions when applicable.
• Assist with training and onboarding newly hired Staff Accountants.
• Liaise with Accounts Payable to process and code corporate payments.
• Review voucher coding.

Requirements

Education & Certificates

• Bachelor's degree, required
• Business-related degree (e.g. Finance, Economics, Business Administration) and relevant accounting experience acceptable
• CPA candidate preferred

Professional Experience

• 2-4 years of progressive accounting experience in public accounting and/or industry, including experience independently preparing and analyzing journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial information, required
• Private Equity or Financial Services experience, preferred
• Experience reviewing the work of others, mentoring junior accountants, or performing complex accounting analysis, preferred

Competencies & Attributes

• Strong Microsoft Office skills; Advanced MS Excel preferred
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability; comfortable working independently and escalating issues appropriately
• Organized and efficient; able to prioritize and complete multiple simultaneous tasks, often on tight deadlines
• Strong attention to detail.

Benefits/Compensation

The compensation range for this role is specific to Washington, DC and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to the skill sets required/preferred; prior experience and training; licenses and/or certifications.

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $110,000 to $115,000.

In addition to the base salary, the hired professional will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package spanning retirement benefits, health insurance, life insurance and disability, paid time off, paid holidays, family planning benefits and various wellness programs. Additionally, the hired professional may also be eligible to participate in an annual discretionary incentive program, the award of which will be dependent on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.

Due to the high volume of candidates, please be advised that only candidates selected to interview will be contacted by Carlyle.

Who We Are

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Visit our website to learn more about our firm and the ways our platform is shaping private markets.