Assistant Controller

Ariel Investments is a premier, boutique, asset management firm. Our primary goal is to drive exceptional investment returns by bringing diverse perspectives together. The only way to beat a benchmark is to not look like one. As value investors, our thinking is deliberate and unconventional. We offer an independent, patient investing approach and aim to deliver excellence in any environment. We uphold our fiduciary responsibility to every shareholder, no matter how big or small.

At Ariel, we strongly believe that teamwork yields results—which is why we have Co-CEOs. John Rogers and Mellody Hobson share a desire to cultivate leaders who are curious, focused and disciplined. We are nimble and efficient. Our drive is fanatical and intentional. Everyone plays their position, and each contribution is critical to our firm’s success. We seek subject matter experts who are unapologetically themselves. We encourage our employees to reach their full potential and we give them the runway to do so.

After four decades of active investing, we remain committed to our clients, our teammates and our community. We strive to be best-in-class investors and pioneer a path for those who entrust us with their financial future.

Position Summary:

Ariel Investments, LLC (Ariel) is seeking an Assistant Controller that will report directly to the Corporate Controller and join as a critical member of our Corporate Finance and Accounting team. Ariel is further investing and modernizing the function to scale with firm growth and establish a best-in-class, industry leading organization.

The Assistant Controller will be responsible for leading financial reporting, manager level accounting reviews, coordination of our close process and modernizing the functions processes and procedures. Additionally, this role will lead annual audits for Ariel Investments and its affiliates, our corporate investments portfolio and overall consolidation process. The Assistant Controller will also be tasked with researching and implementing automation and new tools, as well as improving and maintaining accounting policies and procedures. This role will also be responsible for implementing technical accounting pronouncements and serve as primary contact for trial balance and financial data integrity.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as trusted partner through your understanding of the financial services industry, a client service mindset and your GAAP and management reporting expertise to enable the development of solutions that support Finance and Accounting’s functional objectives
• Perform, review, and manage general ledger entries in alignment with GAAP and Ariel’s management reporting policies and procedures and regulatory requirements
• Manage the monthly and quarterly close process of income statements and balance sheets, account reconciliations & G/L analysis and commentary
• Oversee finance department operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable billing, treasury, expense reporting and payroll support
• Manage corporate consolidation activities across legal entities, including specific shared service books and records support for our Alternatives Private Equity subsidiary
• Execute on and progress Finance initiatives, such as relevant GL and ERP software /systems upgrades
• Research and implement technical accounting pronouncements specific to industry and business behaviors
• Support Controller in managing relationships with external auditors and own the successful completion of year-end audits and quarterly reviews
• Liaison and relationship manager to our outsourced broker- dealer FINOP
• Assist CFO in the preparation of quarterly financial reports for the Audit & Finance Committee, Board of Directors, and senior management
• Help establish and maintain the organizations accounting principles, practices, procedures, and initiatives including chart of accounts, department level integrity and GL variance analysis
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational innovation and regularly interact with business owners and senior level management on accounting matters
• Support CFO, Controllers and business managers in other ad hoc requests as needed

Experience:

• Minimum 8-10 years of accounting experience and track record of career progression
• Mix of public and private industry experience preferred
• CPA and bachelor’s degree in accounting
• FINRA registered, Series 27 or 99 a plus
• Preferred experience within the Investment Management / Financial services industry
• Management experience with broad coverage across the Accounting and Finance function, including strong knowledge of GAAP, the accounting close process, technical accounting and audits.
• Experience / exposure to Sage Intacct and BILL or other industry standard GL or ERP systems a plus
• Proven success with projects that require high proficiency in analytical tools, such as pivot tables and look-ups. Macros, SQL and visualization a plus
• Track record of working cross-functionally on initiatives and effectively communicating concise and actionable insights
• Must be detail oriented and willing to be hands on
• Strong organization and analytical skills with the ability to diagnose and problem solve with minimal direction
• Demonstrated ability to manage several time sensitive projects simultaneously
• Strong Microsoft Suite skills required (Excel, Word, and Power Point)