Senior Associate - Business Unit Controllership - Private Assets

Your Team Responsibilities

The Business Unit Controller team serves as the primary finance and accounting partner to MSCI's Private Assets business, one of the firm's fastest-growing segments. We own end-to-end accounting and financial reporting across the full P&L — from revenue recognition through operating expenses — and are accountable for the integrity and accuracy of the business unit's financial results. We also oversee MSCI's run rate reporting function.

Beyond the numbers, we act as a trusted advisor to the business. The team provides technical accounting guidance on complex transactions and arrangements, including revenue recognition under ASC 606, and works closely with senior business leaders to ensure that strategic decisions are made with a clear understanding of their accounting and financial reporting implications.

We are deeply embedded in the business and operate as true cross-functional partners — collaborating daily with FP&A, Sales Operations, Legal, Sales and Client Coverage, and Business Technology. Whether it's structuring a new deal, navigating a contract modification, closing the books, or supporting an audit, this team is at the table.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Own revenue recognition accounting for the business unit across subscription and transactional product streams in accordance with ASC 606, including assessment of new and amended contracts and determination of appropriate accounting treatment
• Prepare and post revenue-related journal entries in SAP, including deferred revenue, contract assets, and adjustments
• Prepare and deliver period-end management reporting packages, including full P&L variance analysis with clear commentary on key business drivers
• Develop forward-looking insight and analysis on revenue trends, cost dynamics, and business performance — translating financial data into actionable narratives for senior leadership and business partners
• Proactively identify and escalate risks, opportunities, and anomalies in the financial results, providing leadership with the information they need to make informed decisions
• Partner with FP&A to ensure actuals reporting is accurate, timely, and consistent with forecast and budget assumptions
• Execute SOX controls related to revenue recognition and coordinate with internal and external auditors on revenue-related walkthroughs and audit deliverables
• Identify control gaps or process inefficiencies and propose improvements to strengthen the control environment
• Apply AI tools to automate manual processes, improve reporting accuracy, and enhance analytical output

Your skills and experience that will help you excel

• CPA (or international equivalent) required
• 4–7 years of progressive accounting experience with a focus on revenue recognition
• Strong working knowledge of ASC 606, including application to subscription and transactional revenue models
• Experience in a public company environment with SOX compliance exposure
• Big 4 or national firm background preferred
• Hands-on experience with SAP (GL, AR, or revenue modules) and RevStream or a comparable revenue subledger
• Proficiency in Excel and financial reporting; comfortable working with large data sets
• Strong communicator, able to work effectively across Sales, Legal, FP&A, and Technology
• Experience in financial services, data/analytics, or technology industries a plus
• Familiarity with AI tools applied to accounting or finance workflows (e.g., automation, anomaly detection, reporting) a plus

About MSCI

 

What we offer you

• Transparent compensation schemes and comprehensive employee benefits, tailored to your location, ensuring your financial security, health, and overall wellbeing.

• Flexible working arrangements, advanced technology, and collaborative workspaces.

• A culture of high performance and innovation where we experiment with new ideas and take responsibility for achieving results.

• A global network of talented colleagues, who inspire, support, and share their expertise to innovate and deliver for our clients.

• Global Orientation program to kickstart your journey, followed by access to our Learning@MSCI platform, AI Learning Center , LinkedIn Learning Pro and tailored learning opportunities for ongoing skills development.

• Multi-directional career paths that offer professional growth and development through new challenges, internal mobility and expanded roles.

• We actively nurture an environment that builds a sense of inclusion belonging and connection, including eight Employee Resource Groups. All Abilities, Asian Support Network, Black Leadership Network, Climate Action Network, Hola! MSCI, Pride & Allies, Women in Tech, and Women’s Leadership Forum.

At MSCI we are passionate about what we do, and we are inspired by our vision – to power better decisions. You’ll be part of an industry-leading network of creative, curious, and entrepreneurial pioneers. This is a space where you can challenge yourself, set new standards and perform beyond expectations for yourself, our clients, and our industry.

MSCI strengthens global markets by connecting participants across the financial ecosystem with a common language. Our research-based data, analytics and indexes, supported by advanced technology, set standards for global investors and help our clients understand risks and opportunities so they can make better decisions and unlock innovation. We serve asset managers and owners, private-market sponsors and investors, hedge funds, wealth managers, banks, insurers and corporates.

MSCI Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy (including unlawful discrimination on the basis of a legally protected parental leave), veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. MSCI is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please email Disability.Assistance@msci.com and indicate the specifics of the assistance needed. Please note, this e-mail is intended only for individuals who are requesting a reasonable workplace accommodation; it is not intended for other inquiries.

 

To all recruitment agencies

MSCI does not accept unsolicited CVs/Resumes. Please do not forward CVs/Resumes to any MSCI employee, location, or website. MSCI is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs/Resumes.

 

Note on recruitment scams

We are aware of recruitment scams where fraudsters impersonating MSCI personnel may try and elicit personal information from job seekers. Read our full note on careers.msci.com