About Northern Trust
Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.
Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Northern Trust is seeking a Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Accountant to support us in our climate reporting journey and our strategy to a net-zero goal. The individual will review the current corporate GHG inventory (Scope 1,2, and 3), support the establishment of calculation methods for additional Scope 3 categories, develop best practices for data collection, analysis, and reporting, and ensure that emission calculations are performed in alignment with international carbon accounting standards (GHG protocol, Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (“PCAF”)) and the Science Based Target Initiative (“SBTI”) target setting process.
The successful individual will be required to have extensive interaction and build strong relationships with Northern Trust’s Climate Risk team, Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion and Social Impact (“CSISI”), Legal, Global Financial Control, and local Finance teams in EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) and APAC (Asia Pacific).
The GHG Accountant will join Northern Trust’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) Finance Team within the Corporate Controller’s Group and report directly to the ESG Controller, in Chicago.
Principal Responsibilities
- Support the implementation of a Climate Management and GHG Accounting Platform.
- Review and further develop Northern Trust’s current GHG emissions inventory.
- Calculate and track scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions in accordance with GHG protocol standards.
- Support the development of calculation methodologies for Scope 3 Category 15 emissions in accordance with the PCAF requirements.
- Work cross-functionally to collect, organize, and analyse all data necessary for Northern Trusts’ internal and external ESG reporting and disclosures.
- Establish and implement a process to ensure timely and accurate collection of ESG data for reporting purposes. Update and maintain ESG data repositories.
- Work with Northern Trust’s CSISI Team to develop short and medium term GHG reduction targets for scopes 1, 2, and 3 and track progress toward the same.
Skills / Experience
Required Skills
- Ideal candidate will have the below experiences related to GHG emissions and climate data. However, other candidates with strong accounting background and with track record of continuous learning and willingness to enhance skills sets with GHG emissions and climate data will be considered.
- Demonstrated experience with GHG emissions accounting in a corporate, entity-wide setting.
- Experience in calculating and reporting scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions including setting inventory boundaries, accounting for supply chain emissions using different approaches, and calculating financed emissions utilizing the PCAF method.
- Working knowledge of proposed SEC ESG rules, current and emerging climate reporting frameworks, and regulations, both within the U.S. and internationally.
- Detailed knowledge of the GHG Protocol framework including emission factor sources, Emission & Generation Resource Integrated Database (“eGRID”) factors, and applicability to emissions calculations.
- Understanding of the different climate disclosure and reporting standards such as Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”), International Sustainability Standards Board (“ISSB”)/Sustainability Accounting Standard Board (“SASB”), SEC Climate Proposal, Carbon Disclosure Project (“CDP”), Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”), etc.
- Understanding of the SBTI target setting process.
- Familiarity with vendor provided ESG software tools.
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience a plus with 5 years of total experience in accounting or another related field.
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, climate data, energy and sustainability, accounting, business, or similar (preferred).
- Experience translating GHG emissions findings into actionable recommendations for decarbonization a plus.
- Strong communication and influencing skills with partners and peers at all levels of the organization.
Required Competencies
- Be comfortable with executing on multiple projects, stages, and high-quality deliverables simultaneously with excellent time management skills and sense of prioritization.
- Strong analytical and numerical skills.
- Expert problem solver with the ability to identify and triage data issues to drive tactical solutions.
- Ability to complete complex GHG accounting and analytical activities with minimal supervision.
- Self-starter with an ability to self-motivate.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Attention to detail and solid documentation techniques.
- Flexible approach towards changing work methods, deadlines, and variable workloads.
Working With Us
As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.
Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.
We’d love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world’s most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater
Reasonable Accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at
We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.
Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.