Portfolio Implementation Associate Jobs in Illinois

Position Summary: 

The Portfolio Accounting team is responsible for investment accounting, cash flow management, and reconciliation activities across all Harris | Oakmark accounts, including mutual funds, ETFs, CITs, limited partnerships, separately managed institutional accounts, and private wealth accounts.

The Portfolio Accounting Associate plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of portfolio accounting data, overseeing critical operational controls, and supporting the firm's investment products and client accounts. Core responsibilities include cash flow processing and forecasting, processing of in-kind transactions and other account activity, and oversight of portfolio accounting functions outsourced to a third-party administrator. Oversight activities include reviewing custodian cash and position reconciliations for material breaks and assisting the vendor with resolution, ensuring all cash flows are accurately reflected across accounting and trading platforms, and coordinating the month-end ABOR books close.

The Portfolio Accounting Associate will interact daily with a broad range of internal teams including Portfolio Implementation, Performance Analytics, Account Services, Client Services, and other Operations groups. External communications will include custodians, fund administrators, vendors, consultants, and clients.

The ideal candidate will bring a control-oriented mindset, strong attention to detail, and a high degree of integrity. They must be able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while thinking critically and escalating issues appropriately.

Responsibilities:

• Process client-directed cash flows and account activity across trading and accounting systems accurately and in accordance with established controls and deadlines
• Review daily cash flow control reports to identify outstanding items and ensure appropriate action is taken
• Oversee the daily custodian cash, position, and lot-level cost basis reconciliations performed by the outsourced provider; identify material discrepancies and drive timely resolution
• Perform periodic reviews across trading and accounting systems to confirm data integrity for key events including cash flows, corporate actions, in-kind activity, and account fundings and terminations
• Lead the month-end ABOR books close process, coordinating across all Operations teams to ensure timely and accurate completion
• Perform daily controls related to ETF basket positions
• Assist in monitoring and reporting on outsourced provider performance against established KPIs
• Support ad-hoc project work and process improvement initiatives as needed

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in investment management, preferably in an operations or portfolio accounting, or related role
• Strong working knowledge of investment management operations, including familiarity with mutual fund structures and processes
• Familiarity with mutual funds, ETF, or separate account structures
• Experience reconciling cash, positions, and/or security-level data within an investment management environment
• Working knowledge of investment accounting systems and order management systems
• Exposure to overseeing outsourced service providers or third-party administrators
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, think critically, and resolve complex problems in a timely manner
• High degree of integrity, accountability, and reliability
• Strong attention to detail with a control-oriented mindset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with internal teams, vendors, and external counterparties
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining adaptable to shifting priorities
• Intellectual curiosity and a proactive approach to learning and process improvement
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field

Special requirements:

May be required to occasionally work early morning hours and/or evening hours, and possibly on holidays due to market conditions, trade volumes, special projects, or client and regulatory deadlines.