ACCOUNTING FINANCIAL ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION

Accounting rarely fails loudly. It fails quietly, in a misapplied revenue recognition entry, a variance that goes unexplained until month six, or a budget assumption nobody documented. The Accounting Financial Analyst is the professional who catches those failures before they compound. Sitting within a finance function that spans general ledger ownership, business partnering, and close processes governed by US GAAP, this role demands equal fluency in technical accounting standards and the analytical judgment to translate numbers into decisions. SOX compliance and ERP-supported close cycles define the operational rhythm.

As the Accounting Financial Analyst, you will own the monthly close, variance reporting, and financial analysis that keep leadership's view of the business accurate and current. The role works across the Controller's office, FP&A, and operational business units, with a scope that stretches from journal entry preparation to budget cycle support.

Career Impact: Hands-on ownership of US GAAP close processes and SOX-supported internal controls builds the technical foundation that accelerates a path toward Senior Analyst or Controller-track roles.

Business Impact: The financial statements, variance explanations, and budget models this analyst produces are the primary inputs executives and department heads use to allocate resources and respond to performance gaps.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to ERP implementations, cross-functional business partnering, and process improvement projects expands both technical depth and the organizational influence needed to move into FP&A leadership.

• Prepare and post journal entries for the monthly close cycle, ensuring general ledger accuracy across all accounts.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts monthly, investigating and resolving variances before financial statements are finalized.
• Analyze actual financial results against budget and prior-year figures, providing written explanations for material variances.
• Develop standard and ad hoc financial reports that support management decision-making across business units.
• Support the annual budget process by documenting key drivers, building forecast models, and finalizing financial presentations.
• Identify and escalate risks within the internal control framework, advising on corrective actions in line with SOX requirements.
• Coordinate audit-readiness activities, including preparation of the client-prepared document list for external auditors.
• Partner with operational functions to assess project business cases and surface continuous improvement opportunities.

Because hiring teams weigh close-cycle ownership heavily, resume examples showing how analysts present ERP work shows how to frame each responsibility.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of accounting and financial analysis experience, with demonstrated ownership of a monthly close process.
• Thorough knowledge of US GAAP, including revenue recognition standards and general ledger accounting principles.
• Experience supporting SOX compliance activities, including documentation and testing of internal controls.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and reporting using spreadsheet applications at an intermediate or advanced level.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the discipline to meet recurring reporting deadlines without supervision.
• Experience with ERP systems in a finance capacity, including data entry, reconciliation, and reporting functions.

What counts as strong ERP and GAAP fluency shifts with seniority, and the skills each qualification tier demands draws that line.

• CPA designation or active CPA candidacy, reflecting readiness for more complex technical accounting judgments.
• Experience with budget management tools or enterprise analytics platforms used in a multinational finance environment.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies or prior involvement in an ERP implementation or upgrade project.
• Prior exposure to subscription revenue accounting or multi-stream revenue recognition across varied contract structures.

• Month-end close cycle completion rate, measured against the established close calendar with zero late postings.
• Account reconciliation clearance rate, tracking the percentage of reconciling items resolved within the period.
• Variance explanation coverage, reflecting the share of material budget-to-actual gaps documented before leadership review.
• Audit finding rate on analyst-prepared deliverables, measured by internal and external audit exception counts per cycle.
• Forecast accuracy percentage, comparing submitted projections against actuals for assigned functions or cost centers.
• Typical tools: ERP platforms (commonly SAP or Dynamics GP); spreadsheet and presentation software (commonly Excel, PowerPoint)

After reviewing forecast accuracy targets and SAP requirements here, salary benchmarks and CPA certification paths show the full advancement picture.

• Base Salary Range: $65,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience and location
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary
• Equity: Equity participation uncommon at this level; offered selectively at larger public companies
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard US federal holidays
• Common Perks: CPA exam support or reimbursement, professional development stipend, hybrid work schedule

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Put these qualifications into a polished resume now

The Accounting Financial Analyst owns the full cycle of subscription revenue recognition under US GAAP, executing monthly close, variance analysis, and contract reviews across specialty, standard, and non-standard client agreements. Partnering with Business, Sales, and COE stakeholders, this role delivers the accurate revenue reporting and accounting guidance that supports a growing global organization's financial integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate as a key team member of the subscription revenue team, ensuring accurate and complete revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP.
• Perform contract reviews and ensure proper revenue recognition across multiple revenue streams, including partnership agreements.
• Execute monthly revenue close, variance analysis, reporting, and account reconciliations for revenue and related accounts.
• Partner with the COE team to analyze and report key revenue metrics and to implement and enhance revenue accounting policies and procedures.
• Assess contractual agreement changes for accounting impacts and potential reporting needs.
• Streamline subscription revenue accounting processes to improve clarity and efficiency.
• Maintain and update internal controls, policies, and procedures related to revenue recognition, monthly close, and reporting.
• Support audits performed by internal audit, external audit, legal entity, and SOX teams.
• Participate in continual process improvements, automation, implementation of best practices, and special projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, or equivalent.
• Public accounting and/or industry accounting experience with multinational public companies complying with US GAAP.
• Prior experience in subscription revenue accounting and processes.
• Prior experience with large ERP systems, such as SAP.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to independently assess issues and make sound decisions on day-to-day matters.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with detail orientation and analytical thinking.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive work ethic and willingness to support team members across diverse global cultures.

Embedded within the newly formed Function Finance team, the Accounting Financial Analyst supports multiple corporate functions, including HR, IT, CSSP, CTL, and R&D, by delivering budget support, forecasting, and management reporting across a complex multinational environment. Working closely with Accounting & Finance and Financial Planning & Analysis colleagues, this role builds the financial visibility that enables assigned functions to identify value creation opportunities and drive continuous improvement.

Core Functions

• Support the budget process for assigned functions, including documenting key budget drivers and assumptions.
• Analyze key management reports and metrics to add insights and recommend actions to improve results.
• Provide financial and business analysis on projects and key initiatives, including business case preparation and commitment models.
• Prepare and analyze forecasts and finalize key financial and business presentations.
• Serve as the first point of contact for assigned functions, identifying value creation opportunities and areas for continuous improvement.
• Identify key trends and issues based on actual and forecasted data, including reviewing monthly variance reports.
• Perform function risk and control activities, including advising on proper risk and control frameworks.
• Identify analytics needs of assigned functions through comprehensive business understanding and stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with at least three years of relevant experience in accounting and finance within a large, multinational environment.
• Proficient in all aspects of accounting and finance, with a strong understanding of analytical processes and tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with analytical tools such as Business Objects, Apptio, or Tableau.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills, with high business acumen and the ability to translate finance theory into practical application.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated ability to assess and lead business improvement opportunities and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence all levels of an organization.
• Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information.

Reporting to Finance leadership within BNP Paribas's Corporate & Institutional Banking division, the Accounting Financial Analyst shapes the reliability of economic and accounting P&L data by controlling reconciliation across Derivatives, Forex, Bonds, Equities, and Commodities. Partnering with Front Offices, Operations, IT, and external auditors, this role strengthens the accuracy of Group financial statements and regulatory reporting that underpins sound capital markets oversight.

Primary Duties

• Contribute to monitoring Capital Markets businesses by controlling reconciliation of accounting and economic P&L across Derivatives, Forex, Bonds, Equities, and Commodities.
• Perform in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of identified breaks.
• Challenge P&L figures recognized by the business to ensure the reliability of economic and accounting data related to Capital Markets activities.
• Contribute to the group's financial statements and regulatory reporting.
• Assist in responding to questions from external auditors, Operations, Front Offices, IT, and other support groups.
• Make suggestions to improve operational processes, control frameworks, and team efficiency.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in Finance within the banking sector, including financial accounting, reporting, business analysis, audit, or consultancy.
• Strong knowledge of financial and management accounting, including Capital Markets activities and financial instruments.
• Working knowledge of IFRS and French GAAP is an asset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel; experience with Business Objects.
• Fluent in English (minimum B2 level); knowledge of French is a plus.
• Effective analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a deadline-focused environment.

Sitting at the intersection of operational accounting and financial planning, the Accounting Financial Analyst delivers accurate journal entries, account reconciliations, and ad hoc financial reports that guide decision-making across the organization. Operating across Finance, the Controller's office, and the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, this role produces the timely financial information and process improvement recommendations that strengthen reporting quality and departmental efficiency.

Duties

• Prepare journal entries for the month-end close process and perform general ledger maintenance as needed.
• Prepare monthly account reconciliations to ensure accuracy of financial statements.
• Analyze financial results and provide explanations for variances from the budget and the prior year.
• Prepare various standard and ad hoc financial reports to aid decision-making and provide management with analysis as needed.
• Prepare monthly client invoicing, annual 1099-MISC information returns, and financial information for licensing applications and RFPs.
• Assist the Controller and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis with monthly financial reporting and annual budget preparation.
• Provide support during ERP system implementation and upgrades, including data conversion and testing.
• Coordinate preparation of the Prepared by Client list for the annual financial audit and identify process improvement opportunities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred.
• Experience in general accounting work.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and accounting software or ERP systems; knowledge of Dynamics GP is an asset.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects under a deadline.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with different individuals.