Director of External Reporting

Our Story
Founded in 2008, Hightower is a wealth management firm that provides investment, financial and retirement planning services to individuals, foundations and family offices, as well as 401(k) consulting and cash management services to corporations. Hightower’s capital solutions, operational support services, size and scale empower its vibrant community of independent-minded wealth advisors to grow their businesses and help their clients achieve their vision of “well-th. rebalanced.” Based in Chicago with advisors across the U.S., we operate as a registered investment advisor (RIA).
Our commitment to our culture is demonstrated every day through the Hightower Way. By joining Hightower, you will build a community of inclusive relationships, take proactive ownership, embrace others’ perspectives, and have an uncompromising dedication to excellence.
What You’ll Do
You will be responsible for all acquisition/transaction-based technical accounting review, documentation, and financial recordings in accordance with GAAP. Also, you will have full ownership of financial statement cadence, inclusive of SEC-type quarterly reporting for investors and debtholders, and regulatory requirements under FINRA (broker dealer) and the OCC (trust operations). This is an integral leadership position within the Finance department, reporting to the Corporate Controller, with important collaboration across Finance Operations and FP&A.

• Serve as a Hightower brand ambassador by upholding The Hightower Way cultural elements – Mission, Purpose, V.A.L.U.E. Experience, Commitment and Standards, promoting excellence in the internal and external client experience during every encounter
• Improve consistency in every client and colleague encounter by embodying the core principles of our Hightower V.A.L.U.E. Experience (Validate, Actively Listen, Leverage Resources, Understand Ownership, Express Gratitude)
• Manage 3 direct reports, and the analyst teams in which they are accountable, to ensure execution of responsibilities, while grooming/developing them for future growth opportunities
• Complete oversight of monthly GAAP financial reporting cadence, inclusive of month-end accounting management, and presentation of such financials where needed
• Work with corporate leaders to provide accounting specific insight on acquisitions within the LOI to close timeframe, ensuring accuracy of post-closing review and recordings
• Develop a technical accounting infrastructure that allows for shortened cycle times
• Co-source documentation with third-party vendors for technical accounting work
• Support the Finance team by providing perspective, answering questions, and making decisions needed to provide accurate information to leadership and shareholders
• Manage full scope annual audit processes with external accounting firm
• Ownership of quarterly investor and debtholder SEC-type reporting preparation and delivery
• Manage reporting technology for monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance requirements
• Provide ad hoc information to the Corporate Controller, Managing Director of Finance, and CFO as deemed necessary

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years of progressive experience
• Public accounting experience required; PE-backed company experience preferred
• Understanding of GAAP
• Experience with preparation of SEC reporting (10-K, 10-Q), or related comparable reporting requirements
• CPA required

What We Offer

• Coverage on the first day of employment for medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid parental leave (16 weeks for primary caregiver and 8 weeks for secondary caregiver)
• Mother’s lounge onsite
• Flexible PTO plan
• Hybrid model work schedule (50% in office)
• Free brand-new gym in the Chicago office
• 401k matching plan
• HSA employer contributions
• Student loan assistance
• Pet insurance
• We commit to a transparent, people-first environment where talent is maximized through our diverse, equitable and inclusive community
• We nurture a spirit of belonging, are energized by challenges, celebrate our successes, and achieve individual and collective well-th goals

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Hightower is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age (over 40), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related), gender identity or expression, genetic information including sickle cell or hemoglobin C trait, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local law.
You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or possess other unrestricted U.S. work authorization and will not require sponsorship for U.S. work authorization now or anytime in the future.
#LI-Hybrid

Paid parental leave, Health savings account, Dental insurance, 401(k), Paid time off, Parental leave, Vision insurance, 401(k) matching, Loan assistance, Pet insurance