The Accounting Associate Manager position reports to the Reporting and Budgeting Manager and supports other department staff. This position acts as a financial liaison to various departments throughout the firm and performs financial reporting as well as budgeting and forecasting.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for producing financial reports as well as analyzing data. Ability to turn around ad hoc analyses quickly while maintaining integrity and accuracy of data.
- Develop and maintain Excel spreadsheets to prepare analyses and reports using advanced Excel functions.
- Identify opportunities for improvement; provide information and recommendations to management and follow-through on solutions.
- Review monthly exception reporting to ensure firm policies are being followed.
- Participate in the firm-wide annual forecasting/budgeting process.
- Perform monthly account review and variance analysis.
- Review and analysis of general ledger transactions and accounts, using technical judgment to ensure financial transactions are properly recorded.
- Develop a strong understanding of Firm operations and the law firm industry.
- Work on special projects as needed.
- Responsible for staff development including review of work, training and coaching:
- Supervise day to day activities of staff and Senior Accountants and ensure staff are fully utilized and workload is appropriately distributed;
- Provide regular feedback to staff and actively engage in developing and managing their longer term growth;
- Fully review staff work to provide error free work product to management;
- Responsible for ensuring staff routinely meet deadlines;
- Train staff on systems, policies and procedures; provide clarity and context on purpose of work and department/firm objectives;
- Address issues and provide positive reinforcement through regular, direct feedback; and
- Provide regular feedback to manager on progress and development of staff.
Education and/or Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance;
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting or finance; and
- Demonstrated technical and analytical skills within professional work history
Preferred:
- CPA or candidate for CPA certification
Other Skills and Abilities:
The following will also be required of the successful candidate:
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Good judgment
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
- Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
- Able to work under pressure; and
- Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
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The target salary range for this role is:
$110,000 - $130,000 if located in Illinois.Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [email protected] (current employees should contact Human Resources).
Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting or Finance
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting or finance
- Demonstrated technical and analytical skills within professional work history
- CPA or candidate for CPA certification
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Good judgment
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with others
- Ability to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
Sidley Austin LLP Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Sidley Austin LLP and has not been reviewed or approved by Sidley Austin LLP.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage is paired with life and disability insurance and wellbeing resources. EAP access, wellness events, screenings, and mindfulness app subscriptions indicate a strong health emphasis.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-building support includes generous fertility coverage plus substantial adoption and surrogacy assistance, alongside backup childcare and eldercare. Paid parental leave is characterized as generous and supportive for eligible staff and attorneys.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) is available broadly, and eligible business professionals receive an employer-funded Retirement Plan with service and interest credits toward lifetime income options. London materials also reference pension coverage.
Sidley Austin LLP Insights
What We Do
Sidley is an elite global law firm with approximately 2,300 lawyers and 21 offices worldwide. It advises clients on complex transactional, restructuring, crisis management, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters. Its lawyers and business professionals work across commercial, regulatory, and financial centers, using cross-border legal expertise and cultural awareness to deliver innovative strategies and clarity for clients navigating a dynamic global business environment.








