Associate Forensic Accountant Jobs in Chicago, IL

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You'll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There's no one like you and that's why there's nowhere like RSM.

We are seeking an experienced Forensic Accounting Manager to join our growing Forensic Investigations and Dispute Services practice. This position will focus primarily on litigation support, economic damages analysis, lost profits modeling, commercial disputes, and expert witness support, while also assisting with fraud investigations, forensic accounting matters, and background investigations.

The ideal candidate combines strong financial analysis and accounting skills with the ability to develop complex damage models, analyze large datasets, support attorneys and expert witnesses, and communicate findings clearly in reports, depositions, and testimony preparation.

Key Responsibilities

Litigation Support & Damages Analysis

• Develop and defend economic damages models for commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, breach of contract claims, construction disputes, intellectual property matters, and other complex litigation engagements.
• Quantify lost profits, lost earnings, business interruption losses, unjust enrichment, diminution in value, and other damage claims.
• Analyze financial statements, accounting records, operational information, and industry data to support damage calculations.
• Prepare expert witness reports, rebuttal analyses, demonstrative exhibits, and deposition materials.
• Assist experts and counsel during depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and trial proceedings.
• Review opposing expert reports and identify methodological weaknesses or alternative damage approaches.
• Conduct forensic analysis of accounting records and transactional data to identify relevant fact patterns.

Investigations & Forensic Accounting

• Support fraud, misconduct, asset misappropriation, financial reporting, and corruption investigations.
• Perform transactional testing, forensic data analytics, and reconstruction of financial activity.
• Conduct financial due diligence and investigative reviews involving individuals, entities, and business relationships.
• Review books, records, contracts, emails, banking activity, and supporting documentation.
• Assist in tracing assets and evaluating financial motives or indicators of misconduct.

Background Investigations

• Conduct corporate, executive, vendor, and third-party background investigations.
• Analyze public records, litigation history, bankruptcy filings, media sources, corporate registrations, sanctions, and regulatory information.
• Summarize investigative findings and risk indicators for clients.
• Support enhanced due diligence and integrity reviews.

Client Service & Practice Development

• Manage engagement teams and project execution.
• Coordinate directly with attorneys, corporate counsel, boards, audit committees, and executive management.
• Develop budgets, work plans, timelines, and staffing plans.
• Participate in business development efforts and proposal preparation.
• Build and maintain relationships with law firms, attorneys, and referral sources.
• Train and mentor associates and senior associates.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• 5-8+ years of forensic accounting, litigation support, damages consulting, or investigative experience.
• CPA, CFF, CFE, ABV, CVA, CFA, or related professional credential.
• Experience preparing complex damages analyses and financial models.
• Understanding of financial statements, valuation concepts, and economic loss calculations.
• Strong Excel-based modeling and data analysis skills.
• Experience managing multiple engagements and supervising teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience supporting expert witness testimony.
• Background in commercial disputes, construction claims, shareholder disputes, or intellectual property damages.
• Experience with fraud investigations and forensic accounting engagements.
• Knowledge of investigative databases, public record research, and due diligence practices.
• Experience with analytical and visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, IDEA, ACL, or SQL.
• Advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics, or related field.

Characteristics of a Successful Candidate

• Strong critical thinking and investigative mindset.
• Ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear and concise conclusions.
• Exceptional report-writing skills.
• Comfortable working directly with attorneys and executive-level clients.
• Demonstrated project management and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Representative Engagements

• Lost profits and business interruption damages.
• Commercial contract disputes.
• Shareholder and partnership disputes.
• Construction claims and delay damages.
• Fraud, waste, and abuse investigations.
• Asset tracing and financial investigations.
• Regulatory and compliance-related inquiries.
• Executive, vendor, and third-party due diligence investigations.
• Expert witness support and testimony preparation.

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people.We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life's demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients.Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership.RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.

RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.

RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California, please click here for additional information.

At RSM, an employee's pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.