Financial Reporting Specialist

Job Title: Financial Reporting Specialist

Category: Financial Reporting
Key Skills: GAAP, Financial Statements, Regulatory Compliance
Experience: 8+ years
Employment Type: Contract

Job Description:

We are looking for an experienced Financial Reporting Specialist to join our team on a contract basis. This role requires a deep understanding of financial reporting, compliance, and financial accounting standards, specifically GAAP. The successful candidate will have over 8 years of professional experience in financial reporting and will be responsible for preparing accurate financial statements, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing insights to support strategic business decisions.

As a Financial Reporting Specialist, you will be expected to manage and execute a wide range of financial reporting tasks with a focus on high-quality, accurate deliverables, and adherence to deadlines. You will work closely with other finance teams, auditors, and management to ensure transparency and reliability in financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Preparation of Financial Statements:
• Prepare and review balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and other financial reports in accordance with GAAP.
• Ensure financial reports are prepared accurately and within established deadlines.
• Review and validate accounting entries to ensure correctness and consistency in the financial reports.
• Present detailed and comprehensive financial statements to management and external stakeholders.
2. Regulatory Compliance:
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and accounting standards.
• Stay up-to-date with changes in GAAP, IFRS, and other regulatory frameworks affecting financial reporting.
• Coordinate with regulatory bodies and auditors to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards.
• Assist in the preparation and filing of financial reports required by regulatory authorities.
3. Financial Analysis and Insights:
• Perform detailed analysis of financial performance, identifying trends, variances, and financial risks.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on financial data to support decision-making for internal stakeholders.
• Prepare financial forecasting models and provide input for budgeting and strategic planning.
4. Audit Support:
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors to provide required financial data and explanations.
• Assist in resolving any issues identified during audits and ensure timely follow-up on audit recommendations.
5. Process Improvement:
• Identify opportunities to improve the financial reporting process and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Streamline reporting workflows, automate processes, and integrate systems to ensure optimal performance.
6. Collaboration and Stakeholder Management:
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (finance, accounting, operations, legal) to ensure alignment in financial reporting processes.
• Provide training and guidance to junior team members as needed, fostering knowledge sharing and professional growth.
• Liaise with senior management to communicate financial results, highlighting key performance indicators and variances.

Key Requirements:

• Experience: 8+ years of professional experience in financial reporting, accounting, or a related field.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth understanding of GAAP, IFRS, and other relevant accounting standards.
• Financial Statement Preparation: Proven experience in preparing and reviewing full sets of financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, cash flows, and equity statements.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements for financial reporting and reporting under various regulatory authorities.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical abilities to interpret complex financial data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: High attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills and ability to resolve discrepancies and ensure compliance.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Hyperion, etc.). Knowledge of ERP systems is a plus.

Education:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. A Masters degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) is highly desirable.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in working with international financial reporting standards (IFRS).
• Prior experience in a contract role or with the flexibility to manage diverse reporting responsibilities.
• Knowledge of automation tools and processes for financial reporting.