Senior Accounting Associate

P&A Grant Thornton; Makati; On-site; PHP 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

P&A Grant Thornton Philippines in Makati is seeking a Senior Accounting Specialist to lead the accounting engagement under the engagement manager and partner, ensuring compliance with Firm and BPS standards. The role entails overseeing the engagement plan, coordinating with the client, and guiding Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts to deliver accurate and confidential deliverables.

The candidate should have a Bachelor’s in Accountancy, CPA credentials, and 3–5 years of accounting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy.
• CPA certification is preferred.
• 3–5 years of accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Understand the client’s business and accounting principles to perform the job.
• Execute procedures in the work program as assigned by Accounting Manager.
• Maintain progress updates with superiors and address issues promptly.
• Review deliverables for accuracy and maintain confidentiality.
• Coordinate with team and client to meet deadlines.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Leadership qualities

Pro-active and analytical

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy

Certified Public Accountant

Job description

The Senior Accounting Specialist has the primary responsibility for the conduct of the accounting engagement as outlined by the engagement manager and engagement partner, in accordance with the standards of the Firm, BPS Division and the profession as expressed in official professional pronouncements.

The Senior Accounting Specialist carries out the accounting engagement in accordance with the approved engagement plan and during all phases, keeps the engagement manager and partner aware of progress, any material deviations from the time budget, discovery of any fraud or errors, difficulties in completing the engagement as assigned, and any problems in relationships with the client's personnel or contact person.

The Senior Accounting Specialist may assume the role of Accounting Manager depending on the set-up, requirement, size, and complexity of the engagement.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Engagement Management

• Understand the client’s business industry and accounting principles and standards and taxation and relevant laws sufficiently to perform the job.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of client’s accounting policies.
• Execute the procedures in the work program assigned to him/her by Accounting Manager.
• Update superiors of work progress; gives feedback on work performed, difficulties encountered, and issues identified.
• Upon instruction/approval by the Accounting Manager, communicate with the client with regards to accounting instructions, issues, etc.
• Demonstrate mastery and make effective use of job-related tools (e.g., Nexus, Office 365, Oracle, QuickBooks, Xero, etc.)
• Coordinate engagement requirements with the team and the client.
• Communicate on a timely basis fieldwork-related issues, problems and difficulties and suggests possible courses of actions.
• Validate engagement findings with the client.
• Produce deliverables that are accurate and complete at all times.
• Prepare and maintain calendar of deliverables and make sure that deadlines and agreed turn-around times are met.
• Ensure that the deliverables are sent to the authorized recipients and right addresses and appropriately marked for confidentiality where necessary.
• Review the work of the Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts.
• Closely work with and provide assistance to Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts.
• Delegate tasks to Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts as he/she deems necessary.
• Accomplish and discuss Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs) with the Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts.
• Assume new or different work assignments and schedules willingly. Modify work methods to meet changing needs of the team or client, without compromising ethical standards.
• Show openness and objectivity in weighing conflicting opinions and approaches. Discuss matters willingly with teammates and superiors.
• Seek and recommend efficient and effective ways to accomplish objectives better.
• Show receptiveness to new ideas. Perform new and different approaches with a positive attitude and commitment to success.
• Perform any task or assignment that may, from time to time, be delegated by his/her superiors.

Relationship Management

• Promote the image of the Firm and BPS Division as a provider of high-quality services through good customer relations and responsiveness to clients’ needs, concerns, and requests.
• Keep a list of important contacts in clients, government agencies, and other related third parties.
• Regularly communicate with the client with regards to work progress, issues, etc. in coordination with the engagement manager.
• Listen objectively and show understanding of clients’ concerns. Recommend solutions without sacrificing professional objectivity or independence.
• Work harmoniously and effectively with other members of the team.
• Actively participate in official Firm and BPS Division activities such as strategic planning and team-building sessions, quarterly socials, and outings.
• Always maintain a “can-do” and positive attitude in accepting assignments and working with any other personnel.

People Management

• Provide on-the-job training, such as proper working paper documentation and preparation of deliverables, to Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts during the course of every engagement.
• Be a good role model. Provide motivation and guidance to Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts for them to attain their full potential as professionals and to improve performance as necessary.
• Provide timely feedback to Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts about their job performance, i.e., their strong and weak points and areas for improvement.
• Lead coaching activities.
• Participate in the annual performance review process through deliberations on the overall performance of Accounting Specialists and Finance Analysts.

Professional Development

• Attend on-the-job trainings or internal/external seminars for professional development, as scheduled.
• Request from the Engagement Manager Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) for each engagement.
• Comply in all required examinations initiated by the division (Diagnostic Exam, etc.).
• Participate in all internal audits of the division (IQCR, GTAR etc.) as well as on external audits as deemed necessary.
• Accomplish Individual Development Plan and discuss it with the assigned coach.
• Reach out to mentor and attend mentoring and coaching activities.

Practice Development Functions

• Assist in the survey of potential client’s requirements, organization, processes, and peculiarities.
• Participate in suggesting improvements in the Firm and BPS processes, policies, and procedures.
• Attend meetings with potential clients, together with the Manager, Directors/Partner.

Administrative Functions

• Comply with the Firm and BPS Division administrative processes, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure proper warehousing of working files and documents.
• Complete all required monitoring and surveys in a timely manner.
• Complete and submit accurate time reports in a timely manner.
• Always ensure confidentiality of engagement. The staff should not disclose or make use of any information that he/she may acquire during the course of the engagement other than to properly perform his/her work in connection therewith.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy
• Certified Public Accountant
• Three to Five years solid experience in Accounting
• Well-developed communication (oral and written) skills
• Pro-active and analytical
• With good leadership qualities and positive work attitude.