Project Financial Accountant

• Exciting opportunity for CPA Big 4 auditor to help set up a US banking entity
• Opportunity to work remotely for the next 6 months until new office is set up

About Our Client

High growth company, very well established international firm who is opening up a US banking entity.

Job Description

The Role:

This role will report to the Financial Controller of the Bank and will provide support in:

• Supporting the project phase to stand up U.S. GAAP accounting and associated financial controls for the Bank.
• Establishing and supporting entity reporting for the bank, covering initially the banknote business and expanding to other business areas over time.
• Engaging a variety of stakeholders across the bank including Front Office, Finance, Operations, and IT.
• Providing quality, accurate, and timely analysis and information to management which encompasses the development, management, and understanding of month-end reporting and the control environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Month end Reporting:

• Involved in the monthly financial close process of the Bank:
• Support Financial Controller facilitate execution of U.S. Income Statement and Balance Sheet Close process within agreed-upon timelines (revenue, expenses, intercompany, and balance sheet validation).
• Ensure local and group level close checklists have been executed; track key risk indicators for areas requiring improvement.
• Support monthly data warehouse validation and release post monthly close.
• Coordinate with head office on changes and work closely with the Financial Controller and other bank stakeholders to properly implement applicable changes.

• Assisting with the production of monthly management accounts including analysis of variances and production KPIs.
• Engaged in Group recharges and transfer pricing arrangements.
• Helping with the improvement of core Front Office systems data flows to the general ledger to support improved automation and straight-through processing.
• To improve the timeliness of the month-end reporting cycle.

1. Management Reporting:

• Contributor to the production of monthly divisional management accounts including analysis of variances and production of commentary.
• Liaison with the wider business to ensure that certain revenue, costs, assets, and liabilities are correctly reported.
• Assisting in preparation of Group MI pack, Executive Team pack, and Board reports.
• Provision of analysis and explanation to internal and external auditors.

1. Statutory Reporting:

• Assisting with the audit of the Bank.
• Production of relevant accounting policies and procedures disclosures.
• Responsibility for accounting for the Bank's local statutory audits.

1. Financial Control:

• Financial Accounting:
• Ensure that transactions/business activity are appropriately accounted for.
• Engaged in the monthly preparation of full income statement and balance sheets across the Bank.
• Support the annual audit and financial statement preparation process.
• Control Environment:
• Balance Sheet substantiation in accordance with Group policy.
• Continuously evaluate existing processes and make changes which enhance efficiency and control.

1. Project work Analysis:

• Help spearhead initiatives with oversight of the Financial Controller to ensure projects continually progress to completion.
• Assist in providing insights about the impact of proposed projects on costs and financial performance.
• Identification and explanation of trends with particular focus on underlying drivers and impact on working capital.
• Assisting in the automation of FIG processes and reconciliations.

1. Other Duties:

• Development and maintenance of strong internal controls.
• Assisting on ad-hoc analysis to Divisional Heads, Executive Team, and Board.
• Assistance in group-wide project work.

The Successful Applicant

• Experience of working within financial services, Banking, and regulated entities.
• Experience of end-to-end process flows and data quality management of FX or volume payments processes or wholesale banking physical notes business preferred.
• Experience of international groups or working in an international role or Foreign Banking Organization.
• Intermediate/Advanced Excel and SUN Systems 5.
• SQL and Access Database experience desirable.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal.
• Good analytical abilities, with an enquiring mind.
• Robust, capable of clearly and strongly articulating position.
• Technically competent on accounting matters and Microsoft Office programs. Knowledge of SUN desirable.

Personal Attributes:

• Hard working, conscientious, and trustworthy.
• Responsible - willing to take personal responsibility for delivery against deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptable approach.
• Willing to learn and keen to develop role.
• Team player.
• Professionalism.
• Works and portrays a professional manner both internally and externally.
• Understands the need for integrity at all times and confidentiality position demands.
• Delivering Results.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet set deadlines.
• Striving for excellence and always wanting to learn.
• Making a personal difference.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude at all times.
• Embraces change and constantly searches for improvements.
• Prepared to go the extra mile where necessary.
• Responds positively to feedback even where development areas are identified.

What's on Offer

Attractive base and bonus.
Initial remote working with future hybrid schedule.
Opportunity to join a successful firm in high growth mode and work on many projects.
Work with senior management and directly to the financial controller.