Senior Financial Accountant

Job Description

The Washington Post’s finance department is looking for an experienced senior accountant to join the financial accounting and reporting team. Adaptability to ever-changing business priorities, intellectual curiosity, and an understanding of how various puzzle pieces fit into the big picture in support of the mission of The Washington Post is crucial to this role.

The Washington Post is the right place for you because you are a dynamic and self-motivated individual contributor, you are interested in applying your skills to evolving business processes, and you want to work with a talented, forward-looking financial accounting and reporting team.

Motivation:

• You want to contribute to a finance team responsible for the integrity of the financial data that supports the company’s leaders’ ability to make informed strategic decisions.

• You possess attention to detail and dedication to quality, working efficiently without compromising accuracy, and are able to demonstrate a good pace in completing tasks.

• You are quick to adapt to changing priorities, balancing speed with precision in day-to-day activities. 

• You possess in-depth knowledge of overall accounting principles and financial regulations, and expertise in one or more specialized areas of responsibility. You are capable of applying your technical skills to complex accounting tasks and providing solutions to accounting challenges, and you like to research accounting pronouncements and apply guidance to transactions as circumstances present themselves.

• You are flexible and willing to take on new and additional tasks as the needs arise, and you enjoy planning and executing specific accounting projects independently while providing frequent updates to your manager. 

• You are proficient in developing timelines for your recurring assignments and projects, coordinating with team members and business stakeholders, and ensuring timely completion of tasks, and you thrive with the challenge of managing your workflow within multiple competing priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Preparation of general ledger accounting functions including but not limited to journal entries, month-end and year-end close processes, annual report preparation, financial reporting accuracy, GL account reconciliations.

• Variance to budget analyses for income statement accounts, international companies, month over month variance analysis for balance sheet accounts.

• Preparation of monthly financial statements and consolidated financial package in accordance with GAAP.

• Working with Financial Accounting management to analyze and document proper GAAP accounting interpretations.

• Maintaining and updating internal process documentation for accounting procedures and policies that capture how to complete tasks and business purpose for activities.

• Identifying areas for automation, leveraging technology and bringing innovative ideas and approaches to existing processes.

• Preparation of schedules and supporting data in conjunction with the issuance of annual financial statements and tax filings as requested.

• Preparation of data and schedules for audit requests during interim and year-end audit cycles in support of both external and internal audits.

• Perform special project, analysis, and ad hoc reporting as needed.

• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Degree in Accounting, CPA preferred.

• 4+ years of progressive experience in accounting, finance, or auditing roles.

• A demonstrated understanding of accounting and financial concepts.

• Clear and concise communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.

• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and power pivot.

• Experience with accounting process automation (e.g., Alteryx) strongly preferred.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Ability to prepare and analyze financial statements.

• Detail-oriented with demonstrated initiative in research and follow-through.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Experience with Oracle, Hyperion Smartview, BlackLine, Salesforce, Bloomberg Tax and Accounting Leases and Fixed Assets and SAP software preferred.

The Washington Post’s policy for employees is five days per week in the office, with exceptions for newsgathering and general business travel.

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive a