Sr Financial Analyst - External Reporting and Regulatory

Baird; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Baird’s Finance Reporting team is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst – External Reporting and Regulatory to prepare financial statements, regulatory filings and accounting policy guidance. The role involves cross-functional collaboration, audits liaison, and support for new initiatives within a fast-paced environment.

Based in Milwaukee with a hybrid schedule (three days in-office), this position emphasizes integrity, accuracy and continual process improvement, including involvement with

Qualifications

• CPA license or eligibility and pursuit within a year
• Ability to obtain Series 7 within 120 days and Series 27 within one year
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Word)
• Experience with AI, BI or automation tools such as Power BI, Copilot, Alteryx or DFIN Active Disclosure
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities with attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous improvement
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent experience
• Compensation and bonus commensurate with experience

Responsibilities

• Coordinate audits and liaise with auditors on scheduling and documentation
• Prepare financial statements and disclosures (unaudited and audited) and supporting documents
• Prepare quarterly cash flow statements and bank reporting packages
• Support monthly/quarterly/annual FOCUS filings and reporting packages
• Assist with close process including revenue/expense recognition and journal entries
• Conduct regulatory research related to new products and initiatives

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Time management

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

Excel

Word

Power BI

Alteryx

DFIN Active Disclosure

Microsoft Copilot

Job description

Join Baird’s Finance Reporting team and play a key role in delivering accurate financial statements, regulatory filings and accounting guidance across a dynamic financial services organization. The team manages the monthly financial close, prepares internal and external financial statements and serves as the primary liaison with corporate auditors and regulatory examiners from the SEC and FINRA.

As a Senior Financial Analyst – External Reporting and Regulatory, you will prepare financial statements, regulatory filings, government surveys, journal entries, reconciliations and accounting policies. You will collaborate across Finance, Corporate Resource groups and Baird’s businesses to provide accounting and regulatory guidance for new initiatives, products and significant transactions.

This opportunity offers meaningful exposure to leaders and teams across the firm, a track record of career progression and the ability to expand your expertise in an evolving, fast-paced environment. You will join a team committed to achieving strong results for clients and the firm while giving back to the communities where we live and work. Learn more about our Corporate Finance team here.

This position offers a hybrid working arrangement based in Milwaukee, with at least 3 days per week in the office and the remaining time remote.

The Impact You’ll Make

• Coordinate corporate audits and serve as a key internal and external liaison, partnering with auditors on scheduling, documentation requests, testing, walk-throughs, status updates and findings
• Prepare mid-year unaudited and year-end audited financial statements and disclosures, including gathering, organizing and maintaining supporting documentation
• Prepare quarterly cash flow statements and bank reporting packages
• Assist with monthly, quarterly and annual Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single (FOCUS) filings and reporting packages, including supplemental analysis schedules and memos
• Monitor daily net capital and notification alerts and provide key support during regulatory examinations
• Review, update, prepare and maintain key accounting policies, including drafting narratives and process flows and researching new accounting and regulatory issuances
• Clearly communicate the prospective financial impact of accounting and regulatory changes on current firm policies
• Maintain and update the department’s written supervisory procedures, supervise general ledger account reconciliations and balance sheet variance analyses and evaluate controls over financial reporting
• Support the implementation of new or enhanced controls when introducing technology, including AI and automation tools, into key accounting and regulatory reporting processes
• Support the financial close process by preparing calculations, gathering and reconciling source data for proper revenue and expense recognition and recording accruals, allocations, reclassifications and journal vouchers
• Conduct accounting and regulatory research related to new products, initiatives and transactions and support additional ad hoc requests

What You’ll Bring To Baird

• CPA license or the ability to meet CPA requirements with a desire to obtain licensure within one year of employment
• Ability to obtain the Series 7 license within 120 days and the Series 27 license within one year
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to take ownership, gather relevant information and recommend process improvements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products with an emphasis on Excel and Word
• Experience with AI, business intelligence or automation tools, including "Microsoft Copilot", "Power BI", "Alteryx or DFIN Active Disclosure", preferred
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent responsibilities with strong attention to detail, ensuring high-quality, timely and accurate work
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to connect clearly and professionally with auditors, regulators, internal clients and cross-functional teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines and proactively communicate in a fast-paced environment
• A collaborative mindset, intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning, innovation and improvement
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent experience
• Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or firm profitability
• You’ll have the opportunity to advance your career while enjoying our comprehensive benefits designed for your life, career and future.

Baird is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.

Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: Baird does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not compensate for any placement resulting from such submissions. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be treated as valid applications.