WHAT DOES AN EXTERNAL REPORTING MANAGER DO?

Updated: Jun 13, 2025 - The External Reporting Manager assists in managing and developing the Senior Accountant of External Reporting and oversees all SEC reporting tasks, including annual reports, 10-K, 10-Q, and XBRL tagging. This position manages the preparation of financial statement footnotes and conducts monthly reviews and analyses of complex accounting areas like share-based compensation and leases. This role ensures compliance with GAAP, researches new SEC pronouncements, and provides guidance on accounting policies and standards, including training and policy documentation.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for External Reporting Manager

1. External Reporting Manager Duties

  • SEC Filings: Responsible for the majority of all SEC filings, including Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, Form 11-K, and other common filings.
  • File Preparation: Coordinate processes for both EDGAR and XBRL file preparations to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
  • Filing Compilation: Perform compilation of the filing, including preparing schedules, footnotes, Management's Discussion and Analysis section, and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section for 10-K and 10-Q.
  • Software Usage: Prepare SEC filings using Workiva’s web-based software, managing edits/comments from various internal stakeholders.
  • Accounting Guidance: Provide accounting guidance and research on various issues such as business combinations, revenue recognition, equity-based compensation, and impairment of assets.
  • Global Coordination: Coordinate globally across departments at corporate and worldwide operations to ensure proper disclosures.
  • Executive Collaboration: Work with executive management including region presidents, chief financial officers, and vice presidents of infrastructure groups.
  • Data Analysis: Use analytical skills to identify key drivers and trends within financial results and draft 10-K or 10-Q.
  • Press Release Support: Closely work with Senior Vice President of Investor Relations on quarterly press release and supporting schedules.
  • Annual Report Coordination: Coordinate with Investor Relations on the annual report.
  • Disclosure Committee: Participate in Disclosure Committee meetings to discuss filings, financial statements, and footnotes.
  • Accounting Pronouncements: Determine the impact of new accounting pronouncements on reporting requirements and Teradata business practices.
  • Accounting Projects: Apply broad accounting knowledge to projects, especially related to real estate, IT, infrastructure, leasing, derivatives, hedging, and equity investments.

2. External Reporting Manager Details

  • Team Management: Assist with the management, development, and coaching of the Senior Accountant of External Reporting.
  • SEC Reporting: Assist with the preparation and review of all SEC reporting, including the annual report, 10-K, 10-Q, earnings release, 8-K, S-8, and XBRL tagging.
  • Financial Statement Footnotes: Manage and prepare financial statement footnotes for 10-K and 10-Q.
  • Share-Based Compensation: Responsible for monthly review and analysis of accounting for share-based compensation, derivatives, debt, and leases.
  • Accounting Pronouncements: Monitor changes and research new SEC accounting pronouncements and evaluate the impact on the company.
  • Accounting Standards Implementation: Evaluate and implement new accounting standards.
  • GAAP Application: Ensure the application of GAAP to complex transactions.
  • Accounting Policy Consultation: Consult on the impact of new accounting policy changes and advise on the impact on the company.
  • Policy Training: Write and train on global accounting policies and procedures.
  • Technical Webinars: Facilitate webinars as Technical Accounting subject matter expert.
  • Cross-Department Liaison: Effectively liaise with various Business Unit leaders and the Accounting & Finance team.
  • Policy Documentation: Design, implement, and document policies and procedures.
  • Accounting Memos: Apply relevant guidance and draft accounting memos to support conclusions.

3. External Reporting Manager Responsibilities

  • Consolidation and Review: Consolidation and review of Alternative Performance Measures used within Quarterly Statements, IFRS Accounts, Audit Committee & Board Reporting.
  • Investor Relations Support: Support Investor Relations in preparation for External Reporting Events such as Quarterly results, Annual General Meetings & Analyst Requests.
  • APM Controls: Ensure APM controls are completed, results are consistent, and reporting summaries are accurate.
  • SEC Reporting Leadership: Provide leadership and direction for quarterly SEC external reporting requirements, including disclosures on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K and other miscellaneous accounting matters.
  • Earnings Call Support: Support the quarterly earnings call process through a review of quarterly operating results for upper management.
  • Technical Research & Direction: Research and provide direction regarding SEC and FASB pronouncements and technical accounting guidance for business-specific scenario analysis, and prepare whitepapers on the adoption of accounting standards and technical areas such as goodwill impairment and segment reporting.
  • Due Diligence Management: Direct the accounting due diligence process for potential acquisitions and divestitures.
  • Purchase Accounting Oversight: Provide oversight for significant purchase accounting assumptions regarding the valuation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities.
  • Internal Controls: Ensure internal controls are designed and operating effectively related to external reporting and corporate accounting processes, and develop corrective action plans for any control deficiencies.
  • Audit Coordination: Partner with internal and external audit teams to facilitate interim and annual audit procedures.
  • Benefit Plan Audits: Direct benefit plan audits requiring filing on Form 11-K and Form 5500, including the merger of certain defined contribution plans.
  • Team Management: Manage, develop, and maintain a team of accountants, providing direction, motivation, engagement, and career development opportunities.

4. External Reporting Manager Job Summary

  • Policy and Procedure Management: Ensures appropriate policies, procedures, and practices are maintained to enable the preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.
  • US GAAP Reporting: Preparation of a high-quality set of US GAAP financial statements, including footnotes and financial disclosures in other sections of half-year and annual reports.
  • Audit File Maintenance: Ensuring appropriate support workings/audit files are maintained for disclosures within financial statements and other sections of quarterly/annual reports filed with the ASX, such as Forms 4D and 4E.
  • Earnings Release Contribution: Contributor in the external earnings release process (in collaboration with investor relations).
  • Compliance with FASB: Ensures compliance with all FASB accounting rules and regulations.
  • Presentation Review: Responsible for reviewing investor relations, board of directors, and executive management presentations to ensure consistency in reporting and messaging.
  • Internal Control Improvement: Assist/lead projects to improve the existing internal control structure and work towards SOX compliance requirements.
  • FASB Guidance Planning: Review, understand, and plan for upcoming FASB guidance.
  • Technical Memos: Draft technical memos based on the application of guidance to existing processes within the company.
  • Corporate Accounting Policy: Supports writing, and implementation, and ensures effective and practical implementation of corporate accounting policies.
  • External Auditor Collaboration: Develop relationships and work closely with external auditors, business leaders, and senior management to ensure communication of critical issues in a timely manner.
  • APM Backup: Ensure each APM has a corresponding backup.
  • IFRS Alignment: Maintain APMs in alignment with the IFRS Financial Statements.
  • External Agency Review: Review material provided by external agencies (e.g., banks).

5. External Reporting Manager Accountabilities

  • Policy Development and Management: Led the development and management of US GAAP and STAT accounting policies across UPG’s diverse subsidiaries to enhance compliance and consistency of reporting.
  • Quarterly Reporting Support: Support quarterly reporting guidance, addressing any issues that arise.
  • Technical Memos: Draft technical memos, collaborating with key stakeholders in the business units and Corporate related to new and complex transactions or accounting issues impacting the Company.
  • Audit Liaison: Be the primary liaison with outside auditors, supporting the establishment and ongoing evaluation of accounting policies.
  • Accounting Guidance Monitoring: Monitor developments in accounting guidance by the FASB to ensure that UPG is aware of any emerging or approved changes that will impact the Company and incorporate them into the overall accounting policy manual.
  • Technical Issue Management: Manage a technical accountant responsible for assisting, monitoring, and managing the resolution of technical issues presented to senior leadership.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate and collaborate with BU accounting, UPG finance team, and outside accounting firms to discuss accounting technical issues, perform research, provide guidance, and review or draft technical accounting memos.
  • Policy Communication: Maintain accounting policies and communicate policies to external auditors.
  • Financial Statement Preparation: Help prepare the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.
  • External Reporting Assistance: Assist with external reporting for stock-based compensation, M&A transactions, financing transactions, and other equity-related areas.
  • Business Partnership: Be a trusted business partner and work closely with financial planning & analysis, general accounting.
  • Intercompany Transaction Recording: Ensure intercompany transactions are properly recorded.
  • Loan Agreement Reporting: Understand the terms of the loan agreements for reporting APMs around Debt Leverage.
  • APM Definitions: Maintain definitions of Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Cash EBITDA & Net Debt.
  • Key Ratios Tracking: Track key ratios as modeled by rating agencies.
Relevant Information
What Does An External Communications Manager Do?