CORPORATE ACCOUNTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

A Corporate Accountant who cannot close the books cleanly costs a private equity firm more than time. Missed reconciliations delay LP reporting, and coding errors compound across unconsolidated entities until auditors find them first. This role owns the general ledger across parent and operating entities, sitting within a corporate accounting team that answers to finance leadership and external auditors alike. SOX controls, GAAP compliance, and fund-level governance requirements define the boundaries of the work.

LP reporting and SOX controls look abstract here, but how the role unfolds daily gives fuller context.

As the Corporate Accountant, you will own the monthly and period-end close cycle for a private equity organization, ensuring general ledger accuracy, audit readiness, and compliance with US GAAP and SOX key controls. The position operates within the corporate accounting function, collaborating with AP, AR, treasury, external auditors, and internal finance teams across portfolio entities.

Career Impact: Exposure to fund structures, LP/GP entity accounting, and consolidation across unconsolidated entities builds specialized knowledge that commands premium value in financial services hiring markets.

Business Impact: Accurate period-end close and audit-ready reconciliations directly determine the reliability of financial statements that investors, directors, and regulators act on.

Growth Opportunity: The path from this seat typically leads to Senior Accountant or Financial Reporting Analyst, with CPA attainment accelerating the timeline in most private equity environments.

• Record general ledger transactions spanning expense accruals, payroll, cash activity, and interunit transfers across parent and operating entities.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts at period-end to support balance sheet assets, liabilities, and equity positions.
• Prepare and review journal entries, including accruals, prepayments, reclassifications, and correcting vouchers.
• Coordinate intercompany mismatch resolution with AP and AR teams to ensure consolidation accuracy.
• Compile reconciliations, schedules, and supporting analyses to satisfy internal controls and external audit requests.
• Monitor fixed asset transactions, including capitalization, transfers, disposals, and depreciation runs in accordance with GAAP.
• Partner with finance leadership and cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements across accounting operations.

Candidates often list reconciliation but skip audit-readiness support, and how to frame close duties covers that gap.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of general ledger accounting experience, with exposure to period-end close in a multi-entity environment.
• Working knowledge of US GAAP, SOX key controls, and corporate accounting governance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and review account reconciliations, journal entries, and variance analyses with high accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with acute attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across organizational levels.

To judge whether your SOX and close experience meets expectations, the ERP and GAAP qualification bar gives the benchmark.

• CPA designation attained or actively in progress, reflecting commitment to technical accounting standards.
• Experience with private equity fund structures, including LP/GP entities or unconsolidated holding company accounting.
• Familiarity with ERP environments used in financial services, expressed as competency in system navigation and general ledger coding logic.
• Public accounting background, particularly with financial services or multi-entity clients.

• GL close task completion rate, measuring on-time sign-off against the period-end calendar.
• Reconciling item aging, tracking how quickly open items are resolved before audit review.
• Audit request turnaround time, reflecting responsiveness and accuracy of PBC deliverable preparation.
• Intercompany mismatch resolution rate, measuring how consistently out-of-balance positions are cleared at close.
• Journal entry error rate, tracking coding corrections required after initial posting.
• Typical tools: ERP general ledger platforms (commonly Oracle, PeopleSoft, or JD Edwards); consolidation and close management systems (commonly BlackLine or Cognos Controller).

Mapping close task completion and reconciling item aging to the CPA path and career progression clarifies where this role fits.

• Base Salary Range: $70,000 to $95,000 annually, varying by entity complexity and location.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 15 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Uncommon at this level; carried interest exposure rare outside senior finance roles.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard US public holidays.
• Common Perks: CPA exam sponsorship or reimbursement, professional development budget, hybrid work schedule.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should notify the hiring team. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check and verification of authorization to work in the United States.

Match GL close work to a resume that passes the first screen.

The Corporate Accountant owns the full general ledger cycle across Carlyle parent and operating entities, covering expense accruals, interunit cash transfers, accounts payable vouchers, and budget variance analysis. Working within the corporate accounting team and liaising with other departments, the Corporate Accountant delivers audit-ready reconciliations and PBC deliverables that sustain financial accuracy across high-volume, deadline-critical close cycles.

Key Responsibilities

• Record general ledger transactions, including expense accruals, payroll, cash transactions, and interunit transfers.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and sign off on close tasks in the team's task tracker on a timely basis.
• Identify and correct general ledger coding errors via journal entry or AP journal voucher.
• Assist with departmental variance analysis and prepare correcting journal entries and journal vouchers as needed.
• Enter and review accounts payable vouchers to ensure proper general ledger coding.
• Prepare invoices for cost recovery and review recoverable cost balances for accuracy.
• Compile reconciliations, reports, and analyses to support auditors, internal controls, and quarterly reforecasting.
• Assist in implementing recoverable cost infrastructure for ILP, GP, and other unconsolidated entities.
• Liaise with other departments to improve process accuracy and efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics required; Master of Accounting preferred; GPA 3.0 or above required.
• CPA candidate preferred.
• 0-3 years of relevant accounting experience in industry or public accounting.
• Private Equity or Financial Services experience.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills with advanced Excel preferred; Oracle/PeopleSoft or equivalent ERP experience preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with high attention to detail.
• Strong sense of ownership, ability to work independently, and comfort level with becoming a subject matter expert.
• Organised, efficient, and able to prioritise multiple tasks under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Embedded within the corporate accounting function, the Corporate Accountant leads month-end and year-end close procedures spanning journal entries, lease accounting, fixed asset maintenance, and general ledger reconciliations across balance sheet and income statement accounts. Working closely with external auditors and cross-functional operations teams, this work ensures GAAP-compliant reporting and supports continuous improvement of accounting policies and financial processes.

Core Functions

• Perform monthly, quarterly, and year-end close procedures, including journal entries, accruals, bank reconciliations, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Perform monthly flux analysis for balance sheet and income statement accounts, ensuring results are properly posted.
• Assist with procurement and AP functions, including accruals for goods and services received but not invoiced.
• Review and verify the accuracy of account balances, classifications, and expense coding in accordance with the Chart of Accounts.
• Perform lease accounting and maintain fixed assets, credit card schedules, and related support.
• Prepare monthly reporting packages and working papers for monthly, quarterly, and annual closings.
• Support the development and implementation of accounting policies and procedures in accordance with GAAP.
• Collaborate with external auditors for quarterly reviews and annual audits.
• Identify and implement process improvements across accounting and financial operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent required; CPA is a plus.
• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant accounting experience.
• Knowledge of GAAP and experience with lease accounting and procurement processes.
• Experience with Intacct or equivalent ERP system.
• Advanced Excel skills, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP functions.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and time management skills with acute attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to meet tight deadlines with general supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships.
• High degree of confidentiality, integrity, and judgment with a strong sense of ownership.

Reporting to senior management, the Corporate Accountant shapes compliance, governance, and financial operations for Luxembourg holding companies within a private equity environment, covering audit coordination, M&A cash flow planning, and CFO-level execution. Partnering with external advisers, internal finance teams, and shareholders, this work ensures Luxembourg entities meet regulatory, tax, and corporate governance requirements while maintaining cost-efficient adviser relationships.

Primary Duties

• Ensure Luxembourg holding companies comply with financial, audit, legal, and tax governance requirements.
• Lead the Business License Application for the Luxembourg company.
• Manage timely submission of compliance filings with local administrations and authorities.
• Anticipate and implement processes to keep Luxembourg holding companies compliant.
• Review audit and transactional valuations.
• Coordinate with internal teams on cash flows required to fund new deals and portfolio M&A.
• Coordinate with external advisers to execute documentation and corporate approvals for new deals and portfolio M&A.
• Provide best-practice corporate governance services to shareholders, directors, and stakeholders.
• Execute CFO responsibilities according to lawful and ethical standards.
• Monitor external adviser relationships and ensure cost efficiency.
• Build strong working relationships with management and finance teams.

Skills & Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification preferred.
• Senior management and directorship experience.
• Significant experience in the private equity industry; fund house or Big 4 background is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of financial, tax, and audit matters.
• Strong knowledge of Luxembourg legislation, regulatory framework, and OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting developments.
• Familiarity with Private Equity fund structures, Luxembourg financing instruments, and corporate governance documentation, including dividend declarations, share transfers, and PEC/CPEC instruments.
• Ability to manage complexity, prioritise conflicting demands, and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent command of English; fluency in French, German, or Luxembourgish is a plus.
• Team player, eager to learn and collaborate in a dynamic environment.