Cfa Remote Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Valuation Specialist

Summary

The Senior Valuation Specialist supports a valuation practice that provides fair‑value measurements, complex financial‑instrument modeling, and audit‑ready valuation analyses for CPA firms, banks, and investment funds. This role focuses on developing robust valuation models, analyzing market‑participant inputs, and preparing high‑quality deliverables used for financial reporting under U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The ideal candidate combines strong quantitative skills with a deep understanding of financial instruments, valuation methodologies, and the reporting requirements of financial institutions and investment entities. The role also includes valuation of illiquid private credit instruments and structured finance products, requiring strong credit analysis and the ability to design methodologies for unique or complex situations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain valuation models for distressed debt, private equity, preferred equity, convertibles, structured products (including CLO equity classes), and other complex financial instruments, incorporating waterfall, coverage tests, and tranche‑level allocations.
• Build detailed waterfall models incorporating contractual triggers, reinvestment mechanics, coverage tests, and tranche‑level allocations.
• Incorporate trading levels, liquidity indicators, sector performance metrics, and macroeconomic factors into valuation models to ensure accurate and defensible assumptions.
• Conduct valuations of bespoke or illiquid private credit instruments, including senior loans, mezzanine debt, second‑lien loans, specialty‑finance exposures, addressing instrument-specific contractual terms, options, and risk and incorporating observable market inputs and appropriate adjustments.
• Develop supportable discount‑rate assumptions using credit‑adjusted discount rates, instrument‑specific risk premiums, WACC‑based benchmarks, and market‑participant inputs derived from Guideline Public Company (GPC) and Guideline Transaction Method (GTM) analyses.
• Support valuation of structured finance instruments such as CLOs, ABS, RMBS, and CMBS using platforms like Bloomberg, Trepp, and INTEX.
• Prepare comprehensive, well‑structured valuation documentation and memos that clearly articulate methodologies, assumptions, and conclusions in a manner suitable for audit review and regulatory scrutiny.
• Provide training, technical guidance, and review support to junior staff; contribute to team knowledge‑sharing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, economics, mathematics, engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience valuing financial instruments for a CPA firm, valuation firm, investment fund, or financial institution.
• Demonstrated expertise building complex valuation models, including DCF, market‑multiple, option‑pricing, and structured‑product waterfalls.
• Experience valuing private credit or specialty‑finance exposures such as senior, mezzanine, and second‑lien instruments.
• Familiarity with structured‑product valuation across ABS, CLOs, RMBS, and CMBS.
• Experience using valuation platforms such as Bloomberg, Capital IQ, INTEXCalc, Trepp, Yield Book, or comparable tools.
• Strong understanding of fair‑value measurement frameworks, including ASC 820 and IFRS 13.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex valuation concepts clearly and professionally to internal teams and clients.

Preferred

• Financial credentials such as CFA, CPA, CVFI, or Series 7.
• Experience supporting CPA firms, audit teams, or financial‑statement preparers, with demonstrated ability to align valuation analyses to audit requirements and regulatory expectations.
• Experience with fund‑valuation practices and bank‑regulatory reporting, including the ability to interpret supervisory guidance, documentation standards, and governance frameworks for complex financial instruments.

Core Competencies

• Quantitative modeling and analytical rigor
• Deep understanding of structured, hybrid, and private‑market financial instruments
• Strong credit‑analysis capabilities and borrower‑level evaluation
• Knowledge of structured‑product mechanics and cashflow behavior
• Precision, attention to detail, and high‑quality documentation standards
• Client‑service mindset and responsiveness
• Mentorship and technical guidance for junior staff
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based tasks.
• Frequent use of computer, keyboard, and office equipment.

Remote Work Environment Requirements:

• Dedicated, quiet workspace free from distractions to maintain focus and accuracy.
• Reliable high-speed internet connection to support secure document processing and collaboration.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a remote setting while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong self-discipline and time management skills to work independently and efficiently.
• Comfortable using remote communication tools (e.g. email, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) for team collaboration.

Benefits:

This is a full-time position with competitive compensation and good work/life balance.

• Health insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Disability insurance
• Paid holidays
• 401k with employer contribution
• Remote work environment
• Generally, promotion within firm

Harvest Valuations LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age (over 40), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related), gender identity or expression, genetic information including sickle cell or hemoglobin C trait, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are not seeking agency assistance with this role.

We are unable to consider candidates who require current or future visa sponsorship for employment in the United States. Candidates must be authorized to work in the US without current or future visa sponsorship or transfer.