Staff Accountant

Job ID: 8882

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Category: Finance

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About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don't just meet the standard for legal excellence - we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers' commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You'll Do

Are you a detail-driven accounting professional who enjoys bringing clarity and accuracy to complex financial data? As a Staff Accountant, you'll play a key role in supporting the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reports.

Partnering closely with the Accounting Supervisor, Senior Accountants, and Financial Accounting & Operations team, you'll help maintain the integrity of financial results while building your expertise in analysis, auditing, and process improvement. This is a high-impact, high-volume role ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to grow.

• Close & Reconciliation Support: Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules to ensure timely and accurate financial close cycles.
• Variance Analysis & Issue Escalation: Investigate discrepancies, identify trends in assigned accounts, and escalate issues with clear documentation and insight.
• Financial Reporting: Generate recurring and ad hoc general ledger reports, ensuring accuracy and consistency across offices and functional groups.
• Audit Coordination: Support external audits by preparing schedules, gathering documentation, and responding to audit requests.
• Data Analysis & Insights: Perform routine analysis on balance sheet and income statement accounts to understand drivers of financial performance and explain fluctuations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with team members and internal stakeholders to deliver accurate reporting and meet deadlines.
• Process Improvement & Automation Exposure: Contribute to finance initiatives, including system implementations, workflow optimization, and automation efforts.
• Project & Ad Hoc Support: Assist with special projects and operational initiatives by conducting research, compiling data, and tracking progress.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required; CPA strongly preferred with progress toward licensure expected; with 2+ years of relevant work experience.

o Prior experience in Public Accounting or at a law firm or other professional services organization is a plus.

• Analytical Mindset: Ability to work with financial data, identify discrepancies, and interpret trends with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Organization & Execution: Highly organized and dependable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication & Collaboration: Clear communicator with strong interpersonal skills and a team-oriented approach.
• Growth Orientation: Eagerness to learn, ask questions, apply feedback, and continuously improve processes and personal skillsets.
• Innovation Mindset: Interest in or experience with automation and AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Power Platform, Power Automate, Copilot) to enhance accounting workflows.
• Technical Expertise: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially advanced Excel skills; familiarity with tools like Elite 3E and/or OneStream is beneficial.

If you're excited to build your accounting expertise, contribute to high-quality financial reporting, and grow in a dynamic, collaborative environment, we'd love to hear from you for this Staff Accountant role!

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Chicago: $76,000 - $95,000

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. #LI-Hybrid #LI-MP1

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