2027 Management Development Program - Finance, Controller (Buffalo, NY)

M&T Bank Corporation; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 4,133,000 - 5,510,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank Corporation is offering a Management Development Program in Buffalo, NY. The program includes ten weeks of core training and one year of on-the-job training, with exposure to classroom learning, leadership interactions, and cross-department projects.

The Controller’s department oversees GAAP compliance, financial reporting, and regulatory requirements, with opportunities to advance to analyst and potentially manager roles within Finance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting or MBA required/strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree candidate with excellent academic credentials (GPA 3.0+).
• Experience with data visualization or data querying tools (Tableau, SQL).
• Familiarity with SEC and bank regulatory reporting expected.
• Understanding of internal control frameworks and risk management principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide accounting advice on complex transactions and subledger configurations.
• Prepare accounting research and analysis for various products.
• Review and update accounting policies for new standards.
• Monitor financial results and perform variance analysis.
• Support general ledger entries and GAAP compliance.
• Prepare financial schedules and reports for stakeholders (SEC, regulators, Board).

Skills

Data visualization

Data querying

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in Accounting

MBA

Bachelor's Degree candidate

CPA eligibility

Tools

Tableau

SQL

Job description

Program Overview

Serves as a member of the Management Development Program (MDP) and participates in ten weeks of Core Training and one year of On-the-Job training (OJT). Core Training responsibilities include participation in classroom training, observations of departmental presentations, interaction with senior management, peer networking, and working in teams on group project assignments. OJT responsibilities vary by department and are assigned by the department manager. The position may be responsible for additional projects assigned by the department manager or Leadership Development Manager.

Department Description

The Controller's department is responsible for a broad range of financial and operational support activities. The department works to ensure the overall integrity and timely reporting of all financial data, promote compliance with all financial regulatory requirements, maintain an adequate system of internal financial control and provide accurate financial information to support the decision-making process. The Treasury Business Unit Controller and Accounting Policy teams within the Controller’s Department ensure appropriate application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles within the financial statements of the Bank.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with business units to provide accounting advice on complex transactions and configuration of accounting subledger systems.
• Prepare accounting research and analysis for various products across the bank.
• Review and update accounting policies of the bank for new and emerging accounting standards.
• Monitor financial results, perform research, and provide explanation for month-end reviews.
• Assist with financial data interpretation, variance analysis, and problem resolution.
• Display foundational understanding of financial statements and key performance drivers.
• Prepare financial schedules, reconciliations, and reports for internal and external stakeholders (e.g., SEC, bank regulators, shareholders, Board of Directors).
• Support general ledger entries and ensure adherence to GAAP, SEC disclosure, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Participate in cross-training and support onboarding of new team members.
• Adhere to department timelines and deliverables.
• Engage in training and development opportunities across Finance.
• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

How you can grow your career

During your time in the Controller's Office, you will gain an exceptional view of the Bank and have interactions with various constituents across Finance. You will be able to grow your career through different levels of financial analyst with the possibility of becoming a manager of a team of analysts.

Program Primary Responsibilities

• Participate in and complete a one-year long, non-rotational training program while creating and adding value to assigned department. Receive job specific training, general training in banking, communication and leadership, and personalized coaching and feedback.
• Performance measures may include several objective test scores, peer and sponsor feedback from group projects, facilitator feedback, Leadership Development Manager-MDP feedback, Department Manager feedback, final assessment score, and year-end performance appraisal from Department Manager.
• Core Training - Participate in training throughout the one-year assignment to learn banking, basic financial skills, technical skills, and leadership/interpersonal skills. Develop a solid understanding of banking functions, processes, and operations.
• Group Projects - Participate in group project assignments, working with a team of their peers to build relationships within their teams as well as with project sponsors, internal and external contacts, and senior management. Teams make a presentation to senior management at the conclusion of each project providing recommendations and potential project solutions.
• On-the-Job Training - The fundamental skills taught in core training are combined with On-the-Job training based on the incumbent's assignment. Job specific training teaches departmental policies, procedures, systems, and products. Upon completion of MDP, all incumbents attain basic skills necessary to contribute as individual contributors and/or managers in their assigned department.
• Complete tasks in a manner that are compliant with applicable laws and regulations and/or that serve to help the Company be in compliance with laws and regulations that apply to the business line the position supports.
• Understand and adhere to the Company's risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company's Risk Appetite.
• Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities

The Management Development Program is a non-rotational, one-year training program for recent college graduates where participants learn about sales, accounting, project management and leadership skills depending upon their career track. Various methods of training include classroom study, divisional orientations, and teamwork on group projects. These fundamentals are coupled with on-the-job training to allow for immediate application in the area for which the participant has been hired.

Supervisory/ Managerial Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Ideal Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting or MBA
• Desire to pursue CPA license
• Experience with data visualization or data querying tools (e.g., Tableau, SQL)
• Familiarity with SEC and bank regulatory reporting
• Understanding of internal control frameworks and risk management principles

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor's Degree candidate at a school where M&T Bank recruits MDPs (or an MBA student with no work experience).
• Outstanding academic credentials (GPA of 3.0 or better).
• Up to 1 year of work experience.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated analytical skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills.
• Demonstrated presentation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.

Pay with Benefits

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $29.57 - $43.99 per hour. The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation. The range listed above encompasses all geographic locations. The pay rate specific to your location will fall within this range and is available from your recruiter.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America

Company Overview

Great companies have an enduring sense of purpose. At M&T, our purpose is a simple one: make a difference in people’s lives and uplift the communities we serve. M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s affiliates offer advice, guidance, expertise and solutions across the entire financial spectrum, combining M&T Bank’s traditional banking services with the wealth management and institutional capabilities offered by Wilmington Trust. M&T Bank has a network of over 1,000 branches and 2,200 ATMs that span 12 states from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. For more than 165 years, M&T has strived to take an active role in our communities and build long-lasting relationships with our customers. We are a bank for communities—combining the capabilities of a large bank with the care of a locally focused institution. As an employer of choice, we are proud to offer competitive benefits ranging from medical and retirement to forty hours of paid volunteer time, each year. Our core values – integrity, ownership, collaboration, curiosity, and candor – drive the work we do. We seek to further build upon our record of success by bringing in top talent and fresh skill sets while continuing to support the growth and development of all our team members. View M&T’s Human Capital Report to learn more.

M&T Bank is unwavering when it comes to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.

M&T Bank Corporation has policies and procedures in place to promote a drug free workplace.