Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Finance Accountant

💰 $65,000 - $95,000 Annually (DOE)

FinanceAccountingCorporate Finance

🎯 Role Definition

As a crucial member of our finance team, the Finance Accountant will be the bedrock of our financial operations. You are not just closing the books; you are a strategic partner responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of our financial data. This role is perfect for a proactive and analytical individual who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys tackling complex reconciliations, and is eager to contribute to process improvements that enhance efficiency and accuracy across the organization. You will collaborate with various departments, providing key financial insights that support strategic business decisions.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Staff Accountant
  • Junior Accountant
  • Audit Associate (Public Accounting)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Finance Accountant
  • Accounting Manager
  • Financial Analyst / Senior Financial Analyst

Lateral Moves:

  • Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst
  • Internal Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute the full-cycle month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes in accordance with a strict timeline, ensuring all financial transactions are accurately recorded.
  • Prepare, review, and post complex journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation, including accruals, prepayments, and allocations.
  • Perform and maintain detailed reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts, including bank accounts, fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities.
  • Investigate and promptly resolve accounting discrepancies, reconciliation items, and irregularities to ensure the integrity of financial statements.
  • Analyze financial statements and conduct detailed variance analysis on P&L and balance sheet accounts, providing insightful commentary on fluctuations.
  • Ensure consistent compliance with U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and internal company policies and procedures, staying current with changes in accounting standards.
  • Manage the fixed asset lifecycle, including recording acquisitions and dispositions, tracking capital projects, and running monthly depreciation schedules.
  • Assist in the management of accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) processes, including vendor payments, customer invoicing, and cash application.
  • Support external and internal audit requests by preparing PBC (Provided by Client) schedules and providing clear, concise explanations and documentation.
  • Prepare and file various tax forms, including sales and use tax, property tax, and other local compliance returns, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
  • Reconcile corporate credit card statements and process employee expense reports, ensuring compliance with the company's travel and expense policy.
  • Collaborate with FP&A teams by providing actuals data and support for budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling activities.
  • Actively participate in the implementation and optimization of accounting software and ERP systems, driving process improvements and automation initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for accounting processes, policies, and internal controls to support SOX compliance where applicable.
  • Manage intercompany transactions, ensuring proper recording, reconciliation, and settlement between legal entities.
  • Prepare comprehensive financial reporting packages for senior management, highlighting key trends, risks, and performance metrics.
  • Monitor daily cash balances and assist with cash flow forecasting to ensure adequate liquidity for operational needs.
  • Handle payroll-related accounting tasks, including posting payroll journal entries and reconciling payroll liability accounts.
  • Support treasury functions by initiating wires, ACH payments, and performing other cash management duties as required.
  • Conduct ad-hoc financial analysis and participate in special projects as assigned by the Accounting Manager or Controller to support strategic initiatives.
  • Reconcile revenue and deferred revenue accounts, ensuring that revenue recognition is in compliance with ASC 606 standards.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from various business stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by identifying opportunities for improved financial data capture and reporting.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for financial systems.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the finance and data teams for system enhancement projects.
  • Assist in training junior staff members and new team members on accounting procedures and systems.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • U.S. GAAP Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel: Mastery of pivot tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFs, and complex formula creation for data manipulation and analysis.
  • ERP System Proficiency: Hands-on experience with major ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or similar platforms.
  • Account Reconciliation: Proven ability to perform multi-level, complex account reconciliations with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Financial Reporting: Experience in preparing financial statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow) and supporting schedules.
  • Month-End Close Process: Demonstrated experience executing all steps of the monthly financial close cycle under tight deadlines.
  • Financial Analysis: Skill in conducting variance analysis, flux analysis, and interpreting financial results to provide business insights.
  • Internal Controls (SOX): Knowledge of internal control frameworks and the ability to design and test financial controls.
  • Tax Compliance: Familiarity with preparing and filing sales, use, and other local tax returns.
  • Budgeting and Forecasting: Exposure to and participation in the corporate budgeting and forecasting process.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A commitment to accuracy and precision in all tasks, ensuring the integrity of financial data.
  • Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to dissect complex financial issues, identify root causes, and recommend effective solutions.
  • Excellent Communication: Capable of clearly articulating complex accounting concepts to both financial and non-financial audiences, both verbally and in writing.
  • Time Management & Organization: Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, manage deadlines effectively, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proactive & Self-Motivated: A "roll-up-the-sleeves" attitude with the initiative to identify problems and drive improvements without direct instruction.
  • Team Collaboration: A collaborative spirit with the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues across different departments.
  • High Integrity & Discretion: Utmost respect for confidentiality and a strong ethical compass when handling sensitive financial information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA or active CPA candidate status is highly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of progressive accounting experience in a corporate or public accounting environment.

Preferred:

  • A blend of public accounting (Big 4 or regional firm) and corporate industry experience is highly desirable. Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth technology, manufacturing, or retail environment is a plus.
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