Job Abstract

Job Description

The Washington Post’s finance department is looking for an experienced senior accountant to join the financial accounting and reporting team. As a part of this team, you will be responsible for monthly and annual general ledger close procedures with emphasis on accounting for fixed assets, capital expenditures, information technology engineering expenses and other month-end and year-end close procedures. 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 an attention to detail and dedication to quality.
• You are flexible and willing to take on new and additional tasks as the needs arise.
• You are adept at using your technical accounting knowledge, and you like to research accounting pronouncements and apply guidance to complex accounting transactions as circumstances present themselves.
• You enjoy collaborating on cross-functional teams.
• You are organized and focused on meeting due dates throughout the monthly and annual year-end closing cycles, and you like the challenge of managing your workflow within multiple competing priorities.

Responsibilities:

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for:

• Fixed asset accounting, including:
  • Tracking existing fixed assets, recording depreciation, coordination and accounting for the disposition of fixed assets. Monitor controls, procedures, and asset requisition forms for the recordation of fixed assets.
  • Monitoring projects for proper classification from work on process to placement in service.
  • Track the compilation of project costs, comparison to the capital budget and management authorizations, and close out accounts for completed projects.
• Accurately and timely prepare monthly expense entries to record costs related to information technology engineering (including internally developed software) by collecting and analyzing data received from multiple business teams throughout the company.
• Variance to budget analyses for income statement accounts, international companies, month over month variance analysis for balance sheet accounts.
• Track and amortize prepaid cost for IT engineering (including cloud computing).
• Provide information and reporting to Financial, Planning and Analysis team in support of its annual budget and interim forecasts.
• Work with Financial Accounting management to analyze and document proper GAAP accounting interpretations.
• Maintain and update internal process documentation for existing accounting procedures and policies.
• Identify areas for process improvements, including leveraging technological solutions to improve efficiencies and assist in the implementation of robotic processing automation.
• Support general ledger accounting functions including but not limited to journal entry preparation, month-end close processes, financial reporting accuracy, GL account reconciliations, and variance analysis of balance sheet and income statement accounts.
• 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.
• 3+ years of general ledger accounting, including international operations.
• 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.
• 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, BlackLine, Salesforce, Bloomberg Tax and Accounting – Leases and Fixed Assets and SAP software preferred.

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

• Nine paid holidays and two personal days

• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

• Robust mental health resources

• Backup care and caregiver concierge services

• Gender affirming services

• Pet insurance

• Free Post digital subscription

• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed. 

The innovation doesn’t end in the Newsroom – dozens of teams power The Washington Post.  We are now hiring the next innovator – how will you Impact Tomorrow?

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