Accounting

Financial Reporting Accountant job description

A Financial Reporting Accountant prepares SEC filings, monthly close packages, and variance analyses using SAP, Oracle, and Excel — ensuring GAAP compliance and accurate financial statements.

Published May 19, 2024Updated May 9, 20261741 likes

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Job brief

We are seeking a detail-oriented Financial Reporting Accountant to join our finance team and take ownership of our external reporting processes and month-end close activities. In this role, you will prepare SEC filings, coordinate audit activities, and ensure our financial statements meet GAAP standards and regulatory deadlines. You'll work closely with our corporate controller, external auditors, and cross-functional teams to deliver accurate financial reporting that supports our stakeholders' decision-making. If you have a passion for technical accounting, thrive in deadline-driven environments, and want to make a direct impact on our financial transparency, this is the role for you.

Key highlights

Prepare quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K SEC filings, ensuring compliance with reporting deadlines and technical accounting standards
Execute monthly close processes including journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation within 5 business days
Analyze monthly financial statement variances and prepare detailed explanations for management and audit committees
Coordinate external audit activities by preparing PBC lists, supporting schedules, and responding to auditor inquiries

What is a Financial Reporting Accountant?

A Financial Reporting Accountant is a specialized accounting professional who prepares external financial statements, regulatory filings, and management reporting packages that comply with GAAP, IFRS, and SEC requirements. Working extensively with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle NetSuite, or Workday Financials, Financial Reporting Accountants ensure the accuracy of 10-K and 10-Q filings, quarterly earnings reports, and month-end close processes. Their expertise in financial statement preparation, technical accounting research, and audit coordination is essential for maintaining investor confidence and regulatory compliance in public and private organizations.

What does a Financial Reporting Accountant do?

A Financial Reporting Accountant performs monthly close activities including journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analysis to produce accurate P&L statements and balance sheets within tight deadlines. They prepare quarterly SEC filings such as 10-Q and 10-K forms, coordinate with external auditors by providing supporting documentation and responding to audit queries, and research complex accounting treatments using the FASB Codification. Daily responsibilities include reviewing general ledger accounts, preparing consolidation entries for multi-entity organizations, analyzing financial statement fluctuations, and collaborating with corporate controllers and tax teams to ensure proper revenue recognition and expense accruals.

Key responsibilities

Prepare quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K SEC filings, ensuring compliance with reporting deadlines and technical accounting standards
Execute monthly close processes including journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation within 5 business days
Analyze monthly financial statement variances and prepare detailed explanations for management and audit committees
Coordinate external audit activities by preparing PBC lists, supporting schedules, and responding to auditor inquiries
Research complex accounting treatments using FASB Codification and prepare technical accounting memos for revenue recognition and lease accounting
Maintain consolidated financial statements for multi-entity organizations using intercompany elimination entries and consolidation software
Support quarterly earnings calls by preparing financial highlights, key metrics, and variance explanations for investor relations
Implement new accounting standards such as ASC 606 and ASC 842 by updating processes, controls, and financial statement disclosures

Requirements and skills

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field with CPA certification preferred or in progress
3+ years of experience in financial reporting, public accounting, or external audit with Big 4 or national accounting firms
Advanced proficiency in Excel including complex formulas, pivot tables, and financial modeling for variance analysis
Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Workday Financials, or similar enterprise accounting platforms
Strong knowledge of GAAP, SEC reporting requirements, and technical accounting research using FASB Codification
Experience preparing SEC filings including 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K forms and familiarity with EDGAR filing system
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple month-end close deadlines while maintaining accuracy under pressure
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to explain complex accounting issues to non-accounting stakeholders

FAQs

What does a Financial Reporting Accountant do daily?

A Financial Reporting Accountant focuses on preparing external financial statements and regulatory filings — daily responsibilities include posting journal entries, reconciling general ledger accounts, preparing consolidation schedules, and analyzing financial statement fluctuations. They work extensively with SEC reporting requirements, coordinate with external auditors, and ensure month-end close processes are completed accurately within tight deadlines. Senior Financial Reporting Accountants also research complex accounting treatments using FASB Codification and implement new accounting standards such as ASC 606 for revenue recognition.

What skills are required for Financial Reporting Accountant jobs?

Financial Reporting Accountant positions require strong technical accounting knowledge including GAAP, SEC reporting, and experience with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle NetSuite. A CPA certification is highly preferred along with 3+ years of experience in public accounting or corporate reporting roles. Advanced Excel skills are essential for financial analysis and variance reporting, while experience preparing 10-K and 10-Q filings demonstrates the specialized expertise employers seek. Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail are crucial for maintaining accuracy in high-stakes financial reporting environments.

Who does a Financial Reporting Accountant work with?

Financial Reporting Accountants collaborate closely with corporate controllers, external auditors from Big 4 or national accounting firms, and investor relations teams during quarterly earnings processes. They work with tax professionals on provision calculations, treasury teams on debt and equity reporting, and operational finance teams to understand business drivers behind financial statement variances. During audit season, they coordinate extensively with audit seniors and managers, while also supporting CFOs and audit committees with technical accounting research and financial statement presentations.

What is the career path for a Financial Reporting Accountant?

Financial Reporting Accountants typically advance to Senior Financial Reporting Analyst or Assistant Controller roles within 3-5 years, focusing on more complex technical accounting and team leadership responsibilities. Many progress to Corporate Controller positions overseeing entire financial reporting functions, or specialize in technical accounting roles supporting M&A transactions and new accounting standard implementations. With CPA certification and SEC reporting experience, career paths also include external audit management positions, CFO track roles at smaller companies, or specialized consulting in financial reporting and technical accounting advisory services.