A senior financial accountant performs high-level accounting work. A person with this title is often expected to oversee a company's financial accounting tasks and may be asked to lead a team of other accountants. Often, a senior financial accountant prepares and reconciles financial statements as part of this job. He may also analyze accounting processes that are currently used and help to develop improved methods. A person with this job may also help review and create accounting policies, implement new policies, or refine those that are already in use.
Typically, a senior financial accountant must work independently to perform accounting tasks for the company that hires him. He may be responsible for handling the company's general ledger and balance sheet. A person in this field may also be responsible for a company's income statement analysis and performance analysis. He may also be given the responsibility of managing accounting processes and procedures, including those related to such areas as sales and use tax. This person may also close the company’s books at year's end after yearly audits are complete.
A senior financial accountant may have a variety of audit responsibilities as well. For example, he may be tasked with performing internal audits and working with outside auditors as necessary. Often, a senior financial accountant also has the job of reviewing accounting documents to make sure they are accurate and looking for any discrepancies in calculations. When errors are noted, he may be tasked with correcting them himself or directing efforts to correct the errors.
Sometimes, a senior financial accountant works to organize and assign a company's other financial staff members as well. He may help in the selection of new hires and train staff members or assist in the training process. He may also evaluate other staff members' work. If there is a need for disciplinary action, it may be his responsibility to recommend it as well.
In many cases, employers hire senior financial accountants who have bachelor's degrees in accounting, finance, or a related field. Often, however, employers have a preference for individuals who have earned master's degrees in addition to four-year credentials. Many employers require or prefer a person who is interested in filling this job position to be a certified public accountant, and many also expect job candidates to have long experience in the field. For example, some employers prefer applicants who have at least five years of accounting experience, though some may prefer much more. Sometimes, a person who wants to become a senior financial accountant starts out in an entry-level position and works his way up to this job.
