Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Finance Executive
💰 $85,000 - $135,000
🎯 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.