Financial Reporting Lead (CPA) - Public Sector, Defense

BDO USA•Potomac, MD

About The Position

BDO is seeking a manager level professional to support project delivery activities for US Defense agencies. The individual in this position will provide financial reporting, account analysis, and reconciliation support to further improve the integrity of a federal agency’s financial statements and support the client’s accounting functions and business processes. The role involves maintaining accounting records and account balances in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), managing plant, property, and equipment records, and preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial status reports and external reporting documentation. This position also entails preparing financial statements, footnotes, and supporting documentation in accordance with OMB Bulletins 06-03, OMB Circular A 136, and other DOD standards. The professional will support Government activities related to Chief Financial Officer Act compliance, financial reporting, and CFO operations, including quarterly closings, variance analysis, and adjusting journal entries. Key responsibilities also include performing reconciliations of various accounts and ledgers, providing finance and accounting data to internal and external customers, and supporting the Funds Balance with Treasury (FBWT) reconciliation. The role requires directing professional staff, assisting with firm development initiatives, coordinating with engagement and client leadership, and adapting to changing client environments while managing priorities and communicating effectively.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Eight (8) or more years of professional accounting experience, including: reviewing complex financial and accounting transactions and extensive historical records relating to calculating general ledger balances with emphasis on investment accounting, including preparing journal entries utilizing a financial accounting system
Experience in providing financial transaction research and analysis activities, which may include the review of individual project work papers and all documentation necessary to provide an adequate audit trail or transactions that support account balances
Experience in managing or coordinating the activities of Accountants and/or Auditors, serving as group leader or coordinator acting as liaison with clients
Experience in the use of financial accounting systems
Five (5) or more years of DoD government accounting experience
Experience preparing financial statements and the accompanying footnotes
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) by the appropriate state licensing authority and in good standing
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Ability to support possible project-related travel, as needed
Ability to interact effectively with people at all organizational levels within the client organization and in the firm
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and collaborate within a team environment and with a customer service focus
Able to follow instructions as directed
Superior organizational skills required with ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Accounting, Finance, Management, or Business with 24 semester hours in Accounting
Master's degree in Accounting
Five (5) or more years of preparing financial statements and the accompanying footnotes
Ten (10) or more years’ experience of government auditing
Experience in calculating Property, Plant, & Equipment (PP&E) depreciation
Experience In Valuing Capital Assets
Experience in the use of financial accounting systems, specifically General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS)
Relevant Professional certification, such as CISA, CIA, CGFM, CDFM, or PMP
Active Secret Security clearance

Responsibilities

Maintains accounting records and account balances in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and manages plant, property, and equipment records
Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial status reports and external reporting documentation filed with Defense Finance and Accounting Service and other organizations
Prepares financial statements, footnotes, and supporting documentation, including the Management Discussion & Analysis, in accordance with Office of Management and budget (OMB) Bulletins 06-03, OMB Circular A 136 and other DOD standards and instructions
Provides support to Government activities associated with ensuring Chief Financial Officer Act compliance and financial reporting, as well as support to CFO operations
Prepares quarterly closings, financial statements, variance analysis, and footnotes
Analyzes accounts and prepares adjusting journal entries, including corrections and improvements to processing of accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions
Validates adjusting entries to ensure financial statement and account balance data is accurate
Performs reconciliation of budgetary and proprietary accounts, general ledger, and subsidiary ledger accounts, as well as other program accounts, and finance and accounting systems
Provides finance and accounting data call information to client's internal customers, independent auditors, and client's external customers
Provides support for monthly and quarterly Funds Balance with Treasury (FBWT) reconciliation, correction, and continued testing and development of an automated FBWT reconciliation model
Maintains reconciliation of Real Property and Capital Property
Directs professional staff performing a variety of complex accounting tasks including preparing journal entries utilizing a financial accounting system
Delivers a full range of services that uses their educational background, experience, and organizational skills while serving BDO’s dynamic public sector client base
Assists with firm practice, solution, and business development initiatives with guidance from Public Sector leadership
Supports task areas while coordinating closely with engagement team management and client leadership on strategy, planning, execution, status, and review processes
Supports problem solving and fact finding, while working side by side with experienced team members, management, and client leadership
Supports clients with key financial and budgetary, information technology, and operational transformation initiatives
Adapts to a changing client environment while meeting client expectations
Manages priorities and works effectively to initiate correspondence and task completion; supports multiple efforts through flexible multi-task coordination
Provides summary recommendations to team leadership regarding assigned tasks
Applies fundamental industry knowledge and standards to support client reviews, improvements, and/or implementations
Communicates and maintains relationships with key client personnel to ensure shared understanding of processes, operations, and functions
Prepares presentations, briefings, and actively participates in client meetings and day-to-day interactions
Communicates with team management through effective status reporting and demonstrates ownership and accountability for assigned task areas and work products
Establishes professional rapport with clients and other organizations
Attends relevant training, seminars, and/or conferences to stay current with technical skills that align with client’s needs and changes in the industry
Supports recruiting efforts by identifying and referring potential candidates
Other duties as required
Serves as a deputy project manager, filling in as the alternate when the lead project manager is unavailable, responsible for the overall team's performance and delivery of work to the client and providing project management
Evaluates the performance of direct reports and assists in the development of goals and objectives to enhance professional development
Delivers periodic performance feedback and completes the annual performance evaluation for staff as appropriate