Sr. Financial Analyst - BU Financial Analysis (Wealth Management)

About Northern Trust:

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.  

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

The Senior Analyst role plays a critical part in ensuring the financial health and operational efficiency of the Wealth Management business unit by analyzing expenditures, revenues, researching variances, studying trends, compiling financial data and providing accurate reporting and forecasting. The position will act as a liaison with Accounting Policy, Tax, Controllers and other BU finance teams as needed. The Senior Analyst will also provide strategic decision support to business unit executives while participating in monthly/quarterly reporting, annual planning process, monthly/quarterly forecast process and various ad hoc requests.

Major responsibilities include:

• General Ledger review and accrual process oversight: Perform regular reviews of general ledger entries to verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance with accounting standards. Investigate discrepancies or posting errors, and coordinate timely corrections to maintain accurate financial records. Conduct monthly and quarterly reconciliations of key accounts to ensure consistency between the general ledger and supporting documentation. Oversee the calculation and tracking of accruals for expenses, revenues and other obligations, ensuring they are recorded accurately and timely in the general ledger. Identify areas for improvement in the accrual process and implement best practices to reduce errors and streamline workflows.
• Headcount Reporting and Forecasting: Develop and deliver clear, comprehensive reports on headcount levels, turnover trends, hiring activity and workforce productivity to provide insights into staffing levels required to meet business objectives. Forecast headcount and headcount-related costs to ensure accurate expense planning for the business unit. Regularly compare actual headcount data against forecasts, identifying and explaining variances.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Ownership of key reporting deliverables for monthly and quarterly cycles including 10-Q, 10-K and earnings release language review. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy of financial reporting and analysis.
• Financial Control: Act as a point of contract during audits by providing necessary documentation and addressing audit inquiries promptly. Implement and maintain robust financial controls to ensure compliance with internal policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements. Act as a main liaison between WM Finance team and Accounting Policy, Tax and Controllers teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. CPA or other relevant certifications preferred.
• 7+ years in a financial analyst or similar role with proven experience in accounting, reporting and financial analysis
• Financial services industry knowledge strongly preferred but not required.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required. Proficiency with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) and financial applications (e.g., COGNOS, Hyperion, TM1) strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including management reporting and presentation experience.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Highly adaptable to change with exceptional organization and time management skills.

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Salary Range:

$83,100 - 141,300 USD

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

Working with Us: 

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens