Senior Associate, Fund Accounting — West Los Angeles, California | Pacific Executive Search

Senior Associate, Fund Accounting

(Job ID: 2053)

West Los Angeles, California

Hybrid

Direct Hire

Fin Serv - Venture Ca

$130,000 – $160,000 base

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Overview

Managing the accounting and financial reporting for multiple publicly traded business development companies, this position offers a chance to engage deeply with SEC filings, NAV oversight, and complex GAAP consolidations within a $100B+ alternative investment platform. The role demands a seasoned accounting professional with a strong foundation in public accounting and credit investment experience, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure accuracy and compliance in a high-stakes financial services setting.

Title: Senior Associate, Fund Accounting
Industry: Alternative Asset Management
Location: West Los Angeles

Responsibilities

Compile and review US GAAP financial statements for monthly reporting cycles and quarterly and annual SEC filings, including 10-K, 10-Q, and N-2 disclosures.
Prepare consolidated quarterly financial statements and detailed footnote disclosures for an SEC-registered investment advisor affiliated with the BDC portfolio.
Oversee monthly NAV calculations and validate fund administrator deliverables, ensuring accuracy in account reconciliations and variance analyses.
Coordinate with internal teams and external auditors to meet stringent reporting deadlines and support audit processes.
Manage daily cash activities, including payment processing, check deposits, and ledger postings, while reconciling portfolio positions and cash balances monthly.
Generate quarterly board reports and assist with waterfall distribution calculations and trustee report reviews.
Drive continuous improvements in accounting processes and contribute to special projects aimed at enhancing reporting efficiency and precision.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
- 4 to 6 years of relevant accounting experience, ideally combining public accounting (Big 4 preferred) and investment management exposure.
- Strong proficiency in US GAAP and financial reporting standards, especially related to credit investments and SEC-registered entities.
- Demonstrated experience with fund accounting, NAV preparation, and SEC filings.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to summarize complex financial information clearly.
- Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas and macros.
Nice-to-Have:
- CPA certification or equivalent professional credential.
- Experience with Advent Geneva, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, or Onestream software.
- Familiarity with business intelligence tools such as Power BI, Alteryx, or Tableau.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do companies mis-hire at the Senior Accountant level?
Because they hire based on task lists instead of ownership. Two candidates may both mention reconciliations, journal entries, and close support, but only one has truly owned balance sheet areas, resolved issues independently, worked directly with auditors, and operated with minimal supervision. Titles vary widely in the market. Ownership is the more reliable signal.
When is a Senior Accountant actually ready for promotion?
Usually when they stop simply executing assigned work and start identifying issues before they surface. Promotion to Accounting Manager or a broader leadership track is less about how many close tasks someone can perform and more about whether they have become a source of reliability, judgment, and escalation control.
Why are SaaS accounting and finance roles different from general corporate roles?
Because recurring revenue models create different pressure points around revenue recognition, deferred revenue, forecasting, metrics, and scale. Even strong general accounting or finance candidates can struggle if they have not operated in an environment where recurring revenue and growth-stage process discipline matter.
Is the CPA really required for roles like this?
Sometimes yes, and often functionally yes even when the posting says "preferred." At leadership levels especially, the CPA frequently acts as a credibility signal for hiring managers, auditors, lenders, investors, or boards. There are exceptions, but in many accounting searches it remains one of the clearest markers of technical foundation.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.
Why is direct SOX or SEC reporting experience still so valuable?
Because it usually reflects exposure to real deadlines, real scrutiny, and repeatable compliance discipline. It is difficult to simulate that background without having lived it, and the learning curve can be expensive in roles where reporting accuracy and controls matter immediately.

Senior Associate, Fund Accounting

Overview

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

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