The Chicago office of Chapman and Cutler LLP is seeking a motivated Trust Accountant with a high level of professionalism to join our Trusts and Estates Department in the Firm’s Chicago office. The Trust Accountant will work closely with attorneys and other administrative professionals in a collegial office environment, performing all functions relating to the administration and maintenance of individual trust accounts as directed by the Trust Accounting Administrator and Trusts and Estates attorneys. For the right candidate, the position can be adjusted to offer some scheduling flexibility or remote work.
The day-to-day responsibilities of the Trust Accountant will include:
- Processes daily payments, distributions and deposits to beneficiary accounts; processes checks via trust accounting application
- Interfaces with beneficiaries; maintains complete files, including correspondence, investment, and receipts and disbursements for all assigned accounts
- Authorizes, handles and prepares input tickets for various trust activity, including investment trades, trust security transfers and beneficiary disbursements
- Prepares periodic cash flow statements or trust accounting income calculations for attorney trustees and beneficiaries
- Monitors monthly trustee fee billing
- Manages daily omnibus money market account, including posting cash management trades, initiating trades online and reconciling monthly mutual fund statements
- Initiates and confirms wire transfers via online banking for beneficiary distributions and for purchase of short-term money market securities
- Monitors cash balances
- Locates, copies or prepares audit control balance sheets and various documents and information required for annual audit compliance testing for the trusts
- Calculates and prepares trust estimated tax payments on a quarterly basis
- Reviews and edits 1099s for beneficiaries and assists with preparation of Form 1041 fiduciary tax returns for each trust
- Cross-trains and provides back-up to other trust accounting personnel or operational functions, as needed, and participates in frequent cross-training
- May require full or partial accounting, tax and audit responsibilities for investment holding company.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal and analytical skills, project a professional presence and demonstrate flexibility in work assignments. Experience with income tax returns a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree or prior work experience in a trust department or accounting environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and successfully prioritize responsibilities
- Committed to client service; professional demeanor and discretion required
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Superior organizational skills; detail oriented
- Ability to work collaboratively with other team members
All applicants will be considered; however, the hiring decision will be made based on qualifications for the position.
Chapman and Cutler LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V/SO.
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