Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Finance Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

As a Finance Coordinator, you will be the backbone of our finance department, ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our daily accounting and financial activities. You will work closely with the Senior Accountant and Finance Manager to support all facets of financial management, from transaction processing to reporting and compliance. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to develop a broad range of financial skills and contribute directly to the company's stability and growth. You are a critical player in safeguarding the company's assets and ensuring financial integrity across all operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Accounts Payable / Receivable Specialist
Accounting Clerk or Assistant
Junior Accountant

Advancement To:

Staff Accountant or Senior Accountant
Financial Analyst
Finance Manager (in a smaller organization or over time)

Lateral Moves:

Payroll Specialist
Junior Financial Analyst
Treasury Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage the full cycle of accounts payable (AP), including processing invoices, matching purchase orders, securing approvals, and executing timely payments to vendors.
Oversee the accounts receivable (AR) process, including generating and distributing customer invoices, monitoring aging reports, and performing collection activities to ensure healthy cash flow.
Perform daily, weekly, and monthly reconciliations of bank accounts, credit card statements, and other balance sheet accounts to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies promptly.
Prepare and post journal entries to the general ledger with appropriate supporting documentation to maintain accurate and compliant financial records.
Assist in the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, including preparing accruals, pre-payments, and reconciliation schedules.
Process and audit employee expense reports, ensuring compliance with company travel and expense policies before issuing reimbursements.
Support payroll processing by gathering and verifying timesheet data, calculating commissions or bonuses, and assisting with payroll journal entries.
Generate and distribute standard financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, for management review.
Maintain the integrity of the general ledger by regularly reviewing account activity and ensuring transactions are coded to the correct accounts and departments.
Act as a primary point of contact for vendor and client inquiries regarding invoices, payments, and billing issues, providing excellent customer service.
Assist with the preparation and coordination of internal and external financial audits by providing requested documentation and explanations.
Manage vendor setup and maintenance processes, including collecting W-9 forms and other necessary documentation to ensure compliance.
Track company credit card spending, collect receipts from cardholders, and reconcile statements in a timely manner.
Monitor and enforce financial policies and procedures across the organization to ensure strong internal controls.

Secondary Functions

Support the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes by gathering and analyzing financial data from various departments.
Conduct variance analysis of actual results against budget and forecast, providing insights into financial performance.
Assist the senior finance team with ad-hoc financial analysis, special projects, and reporting requests as needed.
Identify opportunities for process improvement within the finance function and collaborate with the team to implement more efficient workflows and systems.
Contribute to the preparation of sales tax, use tax, and other compliance-related filings.
Assist in managing fixed asset schedules, including tracking additions, disposals, and depreciation.
Support the implementation and maintenance of financial software and systems, acting as a key user and providing feedback.
Help train new team members and other departments on financial procedures and software usage.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Accounting Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with ERP systems and accounting software such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or QuickBooks is essential.
Advanced Excel Skills: Mastery of Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, pivot tables, sum-ifs, and complex formula creation for data analysis and reporting.
GAAP Knowledge: A strong understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and their practical application.
Financial Reconciliation: Proven ability to perform complex bank, credit card, and general ledger account reconciliations with a high degree of accuracy.
Accounts Payable & Receivable Management: Comprehensive knowledge of end-to-end AP and AR cycles, including best practices for invoicing, collections, and payments.
Financial Reporting: Experience in preparing and assisting with financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) and other management reports.
Expense Management Systems: Familiarity with expense reporting tools like Concur, Expensify, or Ramp.

Soft Skills

Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to identify and correct errors, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of all financial data.
Organizational & Time Management Skills: Superior ability to prioritize a high-volume workload, manage multiple deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Problem-Solving Acumen: A proactive approach to identifying issues, analyzing root causes, and implementing effective solutions.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and professionally interact with colleagues, vendors, and clients.
Integrity & Discretion: A high level of personal integrity and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive financial information with professionalism.
Team-Oriented & Collaborative: A strong team player who can work effectively with others within the finance department and across the organization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Accounting
Finance
Business Administration
Economics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of progressive experience in an accounting or finance support role.

Preferred:

Experience working within a similar industry (e.g., tech, manufacturing, non-profit).
A proven track record of successfully managing AP/AR and contributing to month-end close in a corporate environment.