Senior Associate

Job Title: Senior Associate (R2R, GL Background)
Location: Pune
Shift: Primarily Evening Shift or Flexible
Experience: 8 to 10 years
Job Type: Full-time

The Senior Associate plays a pivotal role in client financial management, ensuring compliance and accuracy in deliverables, and optimizing processes. This position demands expertise in Record-to-Report (R2R) and General Ledger (GL), with responsibilities including financial analysis, project management, team development, and client communication. A key aspect of the role is to manage workloads effectively, foster team skills, and deliver high-quality outputs aligned with client requirements. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and adherence to process standards are essential to drive operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Financial Management

  • Prepare and review journal entries and accounting activities diligently to meet quality standards.

  • Prepare financial reports, conduct detailed financial analysis, and ensure accuracy and timeliness in client deliverables.

  • Work on audit activities and month-end close processes, including reconciliations, Fixed Assets, Accruals, adjustment entries, etc., ensuring compliance with accounting standards and meeting client expectations.

  • Prepare and review audit schedules and account schedules with accuracy and attention to detail.

  • Perform analysis and reviews of bank reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, and follow up with clients to resolve discrepancies.

  • Manage and schedule payments for accounts payable using platforms like Bill.com or Plooto.

Project Management

  • Maintain awareness of all client deadlines and work progress.

  • Manage projects and tasks efficiently, converting client discussions and emails into actionable tasks.

  • Prioritize and delegate tasks effectively to ensure timely, accurate completion.

  • Take full ownership of assigned clients and tasks, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.

Problem Solving and Issue Resolution

  • Proactively address team queries and resolve issues internally.

  • Conduct thorough research and problem-solving before escalating to Managers.

Communication and Relationship Management

  • Communicate proactively with managers, providing full transparency, status updates, and highlighting potential risks in advance.

  • Collaborate with clients to understand their financial goals, challenges, and preferences.

  • Communicate complex financial information in a clear and understandable manner to clients, fostering trust and confidence in our services.

  • Communicate with clients via email to understand their requirements and provide appropriate responses promptly.

  • Provide support to reporting Managers in client management, understanding client requirements, and facilitating process design and monitoring.

Meeting Facilitation

  • Participate in meetings, prepare agendas with relevant context, and facilitate discussions for problem-solving and prompt decision-making (both internal and client meetings).

  • Draft accurate and concise minutes of meetings, ensuring all relevant information is captured.

  • Distribute meeting minutes along with action items promptly to ensure transparency and accountability.

Team Management and Training

  • Provide effective training and development to team members, analyzing strengths and development needs.

  • Analyze team capacity and resource utilization for effective effort allocation.

  • Provide training when an expert in a particular skill at the organizational or team level.

  • Take responsibility for improving the performance of direct reportees, if any, and identifying their training needs.

  • Collaborate with the Quality Assurance and Training (QAT) team to address and implement their suggestions effectively.

Process Management

  • Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all tasks, ensuring they are current and accessible.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet business requirements.

Requirements

  • Experience of nonprofit accounting principles will be an added advantage.

  • Minimum Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field, MBA or CA inter preferred.

  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other accounting software. (Preferred – Xero)

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

  • The successful candidate will have a strong background in GL accounting and experience working with US GAAP. AP background not required.

  • Ability to apply accounting principles and solutions to meet unique client needs and clearly articulate proposed solutions to client’s problems.

  • Excellent presentation skills.

  • Business and customer centricity – Customer is priority.

  • Willingness to work from office or home or in hybrid model as per the requirements.

  • Self-starter, ability and willingness to work independently, go extra mile to meet business requirements.

Graham GrilliStaff Accountant, India-Based