Finance Associate

Role Overview

• Maintain accurate general ledger entries.
• Reconcile monthly bank, credit card, and trust account transactions.
• Proactively identify, resolve, and clearly document and report any discrepancies, trends, or irregularities to the CFO.
• Monitor and maintain accurate bank feeds.
• Proactively track daily cash activity and support the preparation of rolling cash flow forecasts.
• Assist with short-term liquidity planning and analysis, offering observations and potential solutions.
• Process vendor invoices, maintain accurate A/P records, and reconcile statements.
• Ensure timely payments in accordance with internal controls.
• Support payroll processing, including validation of hours and proper application of U.S. payroll tax rules and deadlines (knowledge of U.S. payroll tax compliance is essential).
• Organize financial data and supporting documents for monthly close.
• Assist with internal financial reports, summaries, and executive dashboards while suggesting improvements to clarity and usefulness.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and reporting standards.
• Assist in tracking financial performance, including budget vs. actual performance, identifying variances, root causes, and areas for improvement while ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Analyze KPI trends and prepare actionable insights and suggest optimizations for leadership.
• Maintain and improve internal dashboards (and supporting data sources) to visualize firm performance.
• Assist in developing, updating, and analyzing quarterly and annual budgets.
• Support scenario planning and margin analysis.
• Build and maintain financial models in Excel.
• Review tax return drafts against internal financials for consistency.
• Assist in managing estimated tax payment schedules and documentation.
• Actively collaborate with operations, administrative, and legal teams on finance related workflows.
• Propose improvements to systems for tracking, reconciliations, and reporting by critically evaluating current processes and understanding their rationale.
• Provide financial data and insights for ad-hoc strategic projects with clear, concise communication.
• Use approved AI and automation tools to improve efficiency, reduce manual work, and enhance reporting accuracy, while proactively identifying improvement opportunities and ensuring secure, compliant use in line with firm policies and data standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 5+ years of progressive responsibility in bookkeeping, financial reporting, payroll support, and accounts payable or demonstrable excellence in these areas with fewer years through strong analytical/problem-solving ability.
• Experience working in compliance-heavy, or professional services environments. Background in legal, accounting, or finance firms is highly preferred.
• Experience with U.S. payroll tax compliance and systems.
• Must have a stable work history with demonstrated consistency and reliability in prior roles, with clear ownership of responsibilities and outcomes.
• Proficient with QuickBooks Online
• Strong background in budgeting, financial analysis, and KPI tracking with proven ability to turn data into actionable recommendations.
• Familiarity with tax reporting, tax return validations, and reconciliation practices.
• Highly proactive, detail-oriented and solutions focused mindset with excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills, including a curiosity to understand processes and challenge inefficiencies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present financial insights effectively and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Ability to work independently while proactively seeking input/alignment when needed and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong Excel skills (formulas, pivot tables, financial modeling basics, etc.), and comfort using AI-integrated features within Excel, Office 365, or other cloud accounting systems.
• Demonstrated ability in responsibly using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or other generative AI platforms to support financial analysis, report generation, or workflow automation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint) and project tools like Asana, Microsoft Planner, etc.

Tech Stack

• Cloud