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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Finance Executive

💰 $85,000 - $135,000

FinanceAccountingCorporate Finance

🎯 Role Definition

The Finance Executive acts as a cornerstone of the finance department, responsible for the comprehensive management of the company's financial reporting, planning, and analysis functions. This role involves overseeing day-to-day accounting operations while also serving as a strategic partner to business leaders, providing data-driven insights to support critical decision-making. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between detailed financial data and high-level business strategy, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and the continuous improvement of our financial processes to support sustainable growth.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Financial Analyst
  • Senior Accountant
  • FP&A Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Finance Manager
  • Financial Controller
  • Director of Finance

Lateral Moves:

  • Senior Business Analyst
  • Treasury Manager
  • Internal Audit Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage the full cycle of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing procedures in accordance with GAAP/IFRS, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
  • Spearhead the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes, partnering with department heads to gather inputs, challenge assumptions, and build a comprehensive financial plan.
  • Prepare and present detailed monthly financial statements and management reports, including variance analysis of actuals against budget and forecast, providing actionable insights to leadership.
  • Conduct in-depth financial analysis on profitability, performance, and key business drivers to support strategic decision-making and identify areas for improvement.
  • Oversee daily accounting operations, including the management of the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and fixed assets.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain robust internal financial controls and procedures to ensure the integrity of financial data and safeguard company assets.
  • Manage cash flow by tracking transactions, monitoring bank balances, and preparing regular cash flow projections to ensure optimal liquidity.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, managing the entire audit process and ensuring all schedules and supporting documentation are prepared accurately and on time.
  • Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal tax regulations and reporting requirements, including the timely filing of tax returns.
  • Build and maintain complex financial models to support new business initiatives, investment decisions, pricing strategies, and long-term strategic planning.
  • Reconcile balance sheet accounts meticulously, investigating and resolving discrepancies to maintain the accuracy of the company's financial position.
  • Drive process improvement initiatives within the finance department by identifying inefficiencies, automating manual tasks, and leveraging technology to enhance productivity.
  • Collaborate with the executive team on special projects, including due diligence for potential mergers and acquisitions, system implementations, and ad-hoc financial analysis.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and business metrics, creating dashboards and reports to provide real-time visibility into financial health and operational performance.
  • Provide financial oversight and support for capital expenditure requests, evaluating ROI and ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives.
  • Assist in the preparation of board materials and investor relations presentations, effectively communicating financial performance and outlook.
  • Manage payroll processing and ensure accurate and timely payment to employees, along with compliance with all related statutory requirements.
  • Analyze and interpret complex financial data to provide clear, concise, and actionable recommendations to non-finance stakeholders.
  • Stay current with changes in accounting regulations, industry trends, and best practices to ensure the company’s financial policies remain up-to-date and compliant.
  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior finance and accounting staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the team.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer pressing business questions.
  • Contribute to the organization's financial system strategy and roadmap for future enhancements.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their operational needs into financial requirements and reports.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies if the finance team operates within such a framework.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, complex formulas).
  • Strong experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics).
  • Expert knowledge of U.S. GAAP and/or IFRS principles.
  • Financial Modeling and Valuation techniques.
  • Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A).
  • Month-End and Year-End Close processes.
  • Data Visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI).
  • Financial Reporting and Statement Preparation.
  • SQL for data extraction and analysis.
  • Internal Controls and SOX Compliance knowledge.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail and Accuracy
  • Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities
  • Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills
  • Effective Time Management and Organizational Skills
  • Collaborative Mindset and Strong Interpersonal Skills
  • High Level of Integrity and Professional Ethics
  • Business Acumen and Strategic Thinking
  • Adaptability to Changing Priorities and Fast-Paced Environments

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's in Business Administration (MBA) or relevant professional certification (CPA, CMA, CFA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of progressive experience in corporate finance, FP&A, or accounting roles.

Preferred:

Experience within a fast-growing tech, SaaS, or publicly-traded company is highly desirable.