Jobs › Northern Trust

Associate Specialist, Fund Administrator, IPS

Northern Trust · Chicago, IL · $95,600–$162,400 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you prepared or reviewed financial statements. Which accounting standard did they follow, and what took the most care?

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on statement work under US GAAP or IFRS rather than only a general accounting background.

Tell me about a time you had to learn a complex transaction type, like a swap or a side pocket, before you could account for it correctly.

What they are checking: Whether they go to the source and ask good questions when a hedge fund holds something unfamiliar.

Describe a time you found a mistake in work that someone else had already signed off on.

What they are checking: Whether they raise errors directly and tactfully, since a reviewer who stays quiet defeats the point of review.

What reporting have you sent directly to clients or investors, and how did you make sure it was right before it went out?

What they are checking: Whether they treat client-facing data with extra checks, because a wrong investor report is hard to take back.

What would you do

A fund's monthly performance number looks off by a few basis points from what the client expected. How do you track down why?

What they are checking: Whether they can trace a performance gap back through trades, accruals and fees instead of guessing or adjusting to match.

The external auditors send a long list of requests two weeks before the deadline. How do you handle it while the monthly close is still running?

What they are checking: How they balance audit support with daily work and whether they keep auditors informed instead of going quiet.

You need details on an unusual trade from the client's operations team and they are slow to reply. What do you do as the close date gets closer?

What they are checking: Whether they escalate early and politely so the close stays on time without damaging the client relationship.

If you had three funds closing the same week and one of them hit a big problem, how would you decide what to work on?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize by deadline and risk and tell their lead early rather than letting all three slip.

About the work

Walk me through how you review a monthly fund close package. What do you check first, and what makes you send it back?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real review order or just skim, since the close package is what investors eventually see.

How would you explain the difference between a fund's legal entity close and the investor-level allocations that come out of it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how fund results flow down to partners' capital, which is core to hedge fund administration.

How do management fees and incentive fees affect the numbers you report to investors, and where do they commonly go wrong?

What they are checking: Whether they know fee mechanics like high-water marks well enough to catch errors before investors do.

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The full job description

As published by Northern Trust.

About Northern Trust As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions. Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide. With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. Major Duties & Responsibilities • Review monthly fund and legal entity close packages to ensure accuracy and completeness. • Analyze and report financial data for delivery to clients and their investors. • Oversee the monthly close process and finalize fund performance and financial results. • Partner with clients and internal Hedge Fund Services teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of fund activities and transactions. • Prepare and review fund financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting standards. • Coordinate directly with external auditors to facilitate annual audits and ensure the accuracy of audited financial statements. • Serve as a subject matter expert within Hedge Fund Services, leveraging deep functional knowledge to support business operations and client needs. • Drive operational efficiency initiatives by automating manual processes, enhancing controls, and identifying opportunities to improve system integration and workflows. • Act as a subject matter expert for HFS proprietary systems, providing guidance on system functionality and capabilities to support business problem-solving. • Collaborate with shared service teams to resolve complex accounting matters and ensure transactions are recorded in accordance with appropriate accounting principles. • Research and interpret technical accounting issues related to complex client transactions, new accounting pronouncements, and evolving U.S. GAAP and IFRS requirements. • Lead discovery and due diligence efforts for new client onboarding initiatives, including gathering requirements, documenting business needs, and testing system enhancements in both integration and production environments. • Partner with technology teams and external vendors to define and support the development of new functionality and process improvements. • Engage directly with clients throughout the onboarding, implementation, and discovery phases to ensure successful transitions and ongoing service delivery. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • Strong understanding of hedge fund accounting, financial reporting, and fund administration operations. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage clients, auditors, and internal stakeholders. • Deep functional and industry knowledge within investment operations, fund accounting, or alternative investments. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on process improvement and operational efficiency. • Highly adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. • Experience working with financial systems and technology platforms, including enterprise accounting and reporting applications. • Knowledge of U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and other relevant accounting standards. • Ability to work independently while providing leadership and guidance on complex issues and initiatives. Experience & Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. • Relevant experience in hedge fund accounting, fund administration, alternative investments, or financial services required. • Professional accounting designation such as CPA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent preferred. • Experience working with external auditors, financial statement preparation, and complex accounting matters preferred. • Prior experience supporting system implementations, process improvements, or client onboarding initiatives is highly desirable. #LI-HY #LI-CL1 Salary Range: $95,600 - 162,400 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. Work Authorization Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa). Working with Us As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve. Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities. Reasonable Accommodation Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

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