Manager, Transaction Accounting (FAAS)

Company: Intrinsic
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Why This Role Matters Every acquisition a PE sponsor closes creates an immediate accounting event with lasting financial consequences. The Opening Balance Sheet and purchase price allocation don’t just satisfy a compliance requirement; they establish the foundation for how a portfolio company reports earnings, measures goodwill, and communicates financial performance to investors and auditors for years to come. This role exists at that critical intersection. As a Manager in our FAAS practice , you will own the technical execution of ASC 805 purchase accounting and Opening Balance Sheet preparation for PE-backed portfolio companies navigating post-close accounting. You’ll be the person sponsors and controllers depend on to translate complex deal structures into clean, defensible, audit-ready financial records, on a timeline that doesn’t wait. This is not a staff augmentation seat. You will manage workstreams independently, collaborate directly with portfolio company finance teams and third-party valuation specialists, and ensure every deliverable meets the standard of precision that PE investors and their auditors demand. You’ll also contribute to shaping how our growing FAAS practice approaches transaction accounting, building methodology, templates, and intellectual capital as we scale. Why Intrinsic Technical depth over breadth —you’ll specialize in work that carries real consequence, not shuffle between generic advisory tasks Elite peer group —work alongside former Big 4 partners, PE operators, and portfolio company CFOs who sharpen your thinking Direct access to sponsors and portfolio leadership —no layers between you and the stakeholders who depend on your work Hybrid flexibility —based in Denver or Chicago with remote options and meaningful work-from-anywhere policies Growth trajectory —clear development path from Manager to Director within a high-impact practice at an inflection point What Makes You a Fit You bring deep transaction accounting expertise: 6 years of progressive experience in Big 4 FAAS/Deals, national advisory, or in-house technical accounting with significant exposure to ASC 805 purchase accounting in PE-backed or acquisitive environments Proven track record leading PPA execution, OBS preparation, and technical accounting memoranda for business combinations and divestitures—you’ve done this work, not just reviewed it Authoritative command of US GAAP as applied to business combinations: fair value measurement, goodwill, intangible asset identification, contingent consideration, measurement period adjustments, and related disclosures CPA designation (active or eligible) strongly preferred Familiarity with valuation concepts and experience collaborating with third-party valuation specialists on PPA inputs Strong Excel and financial modeling skills; comfort navigating ERP systems and working with complex data across multiple entities You operate with a Manager’s mindset: You manage your workstreams with ownership and precision—tracking what’s open, anticipating what’s next, and communicating clearly when circumstances shift You’re decisive under pressure—deal timelines are non-negotiable, and ambiguity sharpens your judgment rather than slowing it You translate complex accounting into plain-English explanations that controllers, sponsors, and auditors can act on You’re a clear, professional communicator—equally effective drafting a technical memo as walking a CFO through post-close accounting implications You hold yourself to a high standard of documentation and self-review—your work is audit-ready before anyone else sees it Nice to have: Experience in a PE-backed portfolio company or acquisitive corporate environment where you led or supported OBS/PPA workstreams in-house Exposure to divestiture and carve-out accounting beyond standard business combinations Familiarity with adjacent FAAS workstreams (close transformation, financial reporting, M&A integration) that broaden your contribution over time What You’ll Own (Day-to-Day Realities) ASC 805 Purchase Accounting & Opening Balance Sheet Execution You are the technical lead on post-close accounting for acquisitions. You ensure that every OBS bridge, journal entry, and technical memo is accurate, well-documented, and defensible under audit scrutiny: Lead purchase price allocation (PPA) execution under ASC 805, including fair value measurement, goodwill calculation, and identification of acquired intangible assets Prepare and reconcile Opening Balance Sheet bridges for acquisitions and divestitures—translating deal mechanics into GAAP-compliant financial records Draft and review technical accounting memoranda for business combinations and divestitures, ensuring conclusions are clearly reasoned and audit-ready Book acquisition-related journal entries and post-close adjustments with precision; coordinate with controllers to ensure proper integration into the general ledger Develop and maintain GAAP-compliant calculations for purchase accounting, bargain purchase assessments, measurement period adjustments, and related disclosures Coordinate with third-party valuation specialists to align fair value inputs with accounting conclusions and ensure consistency across deliverables Hands-On Post-Close Accounting Execution This role requires comfort operating inside a portfolio company’s accounting function, not just advising from the outside. You will: Work directly in client ERPs and close processes to support timely booking of acquisition accounting entries Help management teams translate deal terms into practical journal entries, reconciliations, and close checklists Make judgment calls when information is imperfect, documenting conclusions while keeping the close moving Bridge the gap between “technically correct” and “operationally executable” accounting in lean finance environments Technical Guidance & Stakeholder Coordination You don’t just execute, you advise. When portfolio company controllers encounter unfamiliar deal structures or ambiguous GAAP treatment, you provide the technical clarity they need to move forward with confidence: Serve as a technical resource on complex accounting issues arising from business combinations, including contingent consideration, earn-outs, step acquisitions, and carve-out transactions Collaborate with controllers, FP&A teams, and external auditors to ensure accurate post-close financial reporting and smooth audit cycles Partner with controllers and CFOs to evaluate accounting alternatives, explain implications, and support informed decision-making under tight timelines Serve as a thought partner to management teams who may be encountering ASC 805 complexity for the first time Provide guidance on ASC 805 compliance requirements, emerging standards, and practical application in middle-market PE environments Anticipate audit questions and prepare supporting documentation proactively—not reactively Project Management & Practice Contribution Manage multiple concurrent workstreams independently, setting timelines, tracking deliverables, and communicating progress to engagement leadership and client stakeholders Deliver high-quality work under tight deal-driven deadlines without sacrificing accuracy or documentation standards Contribute to FAAS practice development: help refine OBS/PPA templates, build internal playbooks, and share knowledge that raises the team’s technical capability Provide coaching and feedback to Associates and Senior Associates on transaction accounting methodology and workpaper quality Total Compensation & Benefits Base Salary : $135,000–$175,000 (based on experience, skills, and qualifications) Bonus: Eligible for an annual discretionary bonus of15% of base salary Benefits Package: Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with employer contribution Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, company holidays) Paid parental leave Hybrid/remote work flexibility Professional development support and continuing education reimbursement Participation in the firm’s employee ownership structure How to Apply Using the link, submit your resume and a brief cover letter addressing: A transaction you owned: Walk us through an OBS or PPA engagement where you were the primary person responsible for the accounting outcome. What was the deal structure? What were the key technical decisions? How did you ensure the work was audit-ready? A stakeholder challenge you navigated: Describe a situation where you coordinated across controllers, auditors, and/or valuation specialists to resolve a complex post-close accounting issue. What was at stake, and how did you drive alignment? Why this opportunity: What appeals to you about a Manager-level role within a growing FAAS practice that combines deep technical specialization with the chance to help build methodology and a team? Questions? Reach out to our talent team at cstaples@intrinsicfirm.com

Keywords: Intrinsic, Elmhurst , Manager, Transaction Accounting (FAAS), Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois