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AVP, Finance – Allowance for Credit Losses

Wintrust · Rosemont, IL · $85,000–$110,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 14, 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

You'd work with consultants and other outside parties to understand key drivers. How do you make sure you understand a model you didn't build?

What they are checking: Whether they truly understand models built by consultants, since the bank remains responsible for numbers it did not calculate itself.

Tell me about a time your number was different from what someone senior expected.

What they are checking: Whether they stand by sound analysis when seniors disagree, since honest numbers protect the bank even when they are unwelcome.

What would you do

The reports go to internal management, external auditors and regulators. How does your work change when you know an examiner will read it?

What they are checking: Whether their documentation holds up to auditors and regulators, since examiners will read the work and question gaps.

A model output doesn't match what you'd expect from the portfolio. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they investigate unexpected model results instead of accepting them, since a wrong allowance can misstate the bank's financial position.

About the work

This role is central to the current expected credit loss estimate. Walk me through how an allowance estimate gets built from loan data to a number the committee approves.

What they are checking: End-to-end command of the process rather than one step of it

How do you perform variance analysis on allowance results, and what makes a movement worth explaining?

What they are checking: Whether they understand what drives allowance changes, since explaining movements well is how the bank defends its reserve.

How do you keep up with regulatory and accounting changes that affect the allowance?

What they are checking: The critical thinking about emerging change the posting asks for

The posting names Excel, Word and PowerPoint, with Power BI or another business intelligence tool desired. Where are you with each?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about their Excel and BI skills, since the role relies on these tools for analysis and reporting.

You'd review documentation of processes and help others understand them. What makes a procedure document one people actually follow?

What they are checking: Whether they write procedures people actually follow, since documented processes are controls that regulators expect to work in practice.

The posting asks for five to seven years in accounting, statistics, finance, programming, economics or data analytics, with prior allowance for loan and lease losses experience. Where do you sit against that?

What they are checking: Whether their background matches the experience required, since allowance work needs both technical skill and loan loss knowledge.

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The full job description

As published by Wintrust.

Wintrust provides community and commercial banking, specialty finance and wealth management services through its 16 bank charters and nine non-bank businesses. Wintrust delivers the sophisticated solutions of a large bank while staying true to the relationship-focused, personalized service of our community banking roots. We serve clients in all 50 states with more than 200 branch banking locations in Illinois, southwestern Florida, northwestern Indiana, west Michigan and southern Wisconsin and commercial banking offices in Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Mich., and in key branch banking locations throughout Illinois. Our people are the heart of our business and we are proud to rank consistently as a top place to work. Wintrust is a $66 billion financial institution based in Rosemont, Illinois, and listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WTFC.” Why join us? • An award-winning culture! We are rated a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune (past 12 years) and Employee Recommended award by the Globe & Mail (past 6 years). • Competitive pay and discretionary or incentive bonus eligible. • Comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, a 401k plan with a generous company match and tuition reimbursement to name a few. • Family-friendly work hours. • Promote from within culture. Why join this team? • We provide a vibrant, team-oriented atmosphere with opportunities for individual growth through collaboration with other departments and exposure to executive management. • We are seeking a critical thinker with the ability to analyze and adapt to emerging risks and regulatory changes. • Further your career by playing an important role in a growing organization. Position Summary The AVP - Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) is an integral/key role in the generation of the current expected credit loss (CECL) estimate process. This individual will be responsible for completing certain tasks and reports within the calculation processes to ensure the accuracy of calculated ACL reserves. This includes ensuring the completeness and accuracy of data utilized in the calculation process, as well as ensuring the proper utilization of calculation tools. The position will also review and document quantitative and qualitative factors, review variance analysis, review production of internal management reports, lead compilation of ACL packages, and prepare SEC reporting disclosures for Earnings Release and 10Q. What You’ll Do • Possess proficient understanding with the ability to effectively and efficiently utilize software solutions utilized in the ACL process. Will be responsible for oversight of data movement, reconciliations, assumption inputs, variance analysis, waterfall configuration and review, training and supervision of others to utilize features within the solution, etc. • Analytically review ACL results and variance analysis; requires collaborating with internal stakeholders and consultants or other outside third parties to understand the key inputs into models and their impact on results by credit and economic forecast stakeholders. • Create, review, and distribute data and reports provided to internal management as well as required reports for external auditors and regulators, including the ACL Committee. Lead ACL business line working group meetings. Prepare SEC Reporting disclosures for external filings. • Review documentation of all processes and procedures. Assist other employees in understanding all processes and procedures. • Ad-hoc projects as required. Qualifications • 5-7 years of experience and/or educational background in Accounting, Statistics, Math, Finance, Programming and Systems, Economics, Data Analytics, and Modeling. • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the solid abilities to prepare documentation, reports, and lead presentations. • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Knowledge of PowerBI or other BI tool desired. • Experience in data research and problem-solving skills. • Prior accounting work experience in allowance for loan and lease losses and an understanding of the new accounting pronouncement related to Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (ASC 326). Benefits Medical Insurance • Dental • Vision • Life insurance • Accidental death and dismemberment • Short-term and long term Disability Insurance • Parental Leave • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Traditional and Roth 401(k) with company match • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) • Employee Stock Purchase Plan at 5% discount • Critical Illness Insurance • Accident Insurance • Transportation and Commuting Benefits • Banking Benefits • Pet Insurance Compensation The estimated salary range for this role is $85,000-$110,000, along with eligibility to earn an annual bonus. Actual salaries may vary based on several factors, such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience. #LI-ONSITE From our first day in business, Wintrust has been proud to serve a variety of unique communities and people from all walks of life. To build a company that reflects the communities we serve, we believe that fostering a unique and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed will support our ongoing success. Wintrust Financial Corporation, including community banking and financial services subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

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