Vice President, Investment Accounting

Over the last 20 years, Ares’ success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.

Job Description

SUMMARY

Ares is seeking an accomplished Vice President (Controller) to join the Investment Accounting ("IA") team in New York. This is a senior leadership opportunity within Investment Operations, with responsibility for leading the NY team and helping drive the accounting, reporting, and analytical infrastructure that supports Ares' global investment platform.

The Vice President will serve as a key accounting partner to investment and operating teams, providing judgment and oversight across the investment lifecycle - from transaction structuring and revenue recognition through P&L analysis, reporting, and ongoing portfolio activity. The role will work closely with Investment Professionals, Portfolio Management, Fund Accounting, FP&A, Compliance, Middle Office, and other stakeholders to evaluate complex transactions, identify accounting and operational implications, and translate them into scalable solutions.

Beyond day-to-day execution, this role offers meaningful opportunity to influence how the platform evolves. The successful candidate will help shape policies, controls, technology, analytics, and operating processes; lead cross-functional initiatives; and develop a high-performing team. This is an ideal opportunity for a strategic, commercially minded accounting leader who wants broad exposure, senior-level visibility, and the ability to make an impact across a growing global alternatives platform.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS & ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Platform Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the New York Investment Accounting team, setting priorities, strengthening accountability, and building a culture of ownership, judgment, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with IA leadership and colleagues across New York, London, and Mumbai to drive consistency, knowledge sharing, and an effective global operating model.

Strategic Investment & Transaction Oversight

• Serve as a senior accounting partner on complex investments and transactions, reviewing credit terms, fee structures, syndication mechanics, and other deal features to determine appropriate accounting and revenue recognition under Ares policies.
• Provide oversight and judgment over material daily P&L drivers, escalating emerging issues and helping stakeholders understand the accounting and economic impact of portfolio activity.
• Oversee the transaction pipeline and coordinate with Accounting, Tax, Compliance, Legal, and investment teams to identify and resolve accounting and operational considerations ahead of closing.
• Maintain strong governance over the accurate and timely capture of investment activity in Geneva and other core platforms.

Reporting, Analytics & Senior Stakeholder Support

• Oversee key monthly and quarterly reporting deliverables and provide decision-useful analysis to Investor Relations, Portfolio Management, and senior leadership.
• Partner with Investor Relations and other stakeholders on client onboarding, reporting solutions, and analysis of investment performance and portfolio activity.
• Advance the quality and usefulness of reporting through stronger analytics, dashboards, data governance, and policy enhancements.

Transformation, Controls & Scalability

• Lead and influence technology and transformation initiatives, including internal model enhancements, monitoring tools, workflow redesign, automation opportunities, and system implementations.
• Evaluate existing processes and design scalable solutions that strengthen controls, reduce operational risk, improve efficiency, and support continued growth.
• Help evolve Investment Accounting policies and procedures to reflect new products, transaction structures, and business requirements while maintaining audit readiness.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Relationship Management

• Act as a trusted point of coordination across Investment Operations, investment teams, external fund administrators, and other partners to resolve complex issues and deliver against critical priorities.
• Represent Investment Accounting on broader cross-functional initiatives and contribute to the strategic priorities of Investment Operations, with a focus on consistency, scalability, and excellence across the global platform.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline required
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred

• Experience & Leadership Profile:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in investment accounting, public accounting, fund accounting, product control, or a related financial-services discipline; alternatives experience strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of alternative investments and transaction structures, particularly private credit, with the ability to assess complex accounting and operational considerations
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, manage competing priorities, and drive high-quality execution
• Strong executive presence and communication skills, with sound judgment and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and levels
• Demonstrated success improving processes, controls, reporting, or technology and translating business needs into scalable solutions
• Advanced Excel proficiency; Power BI, Alteryx, Anaplan, or similar tools a plus

Reporting Relationships

Principal, Investment Accounting & Reporting

Compensation

$190,000 - $210,000

There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.