What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounting Specialist position at Comerica Bank?
Accounting Specialist
The Accounting Specialist role will be responsible for analyzing and reconciling various balance sheet and liability accounts to ensure the accuracy of the monthly balances on general ledger. This role will also monitor and analyze income and expense accounts for reasonableness and accuracy. This role will also be responsible for assisting the Accounting Manager as needed with daily activities in the monthly analysis of the corporate income statement and various corporate accounting functions, in addition to performing ad-hoc analysis as requested by management.
Position Responsibilities:
The Accounting Specialist role will be responsible for analyzing and reconciling various balance sheet and liability accounts to ensure the accuracy of the monthly balances on general ledger. This role will also monitor and analyze income and expense accounts for reasonableness and accuracy. This role will also be responsible for assisting the Accounting Manager as needed with daily activities in the monthly analysis of the corporate income statement and various corporate accounting functions, in addition to performing ad-hoc analysis as requested by management.
Position Responsibilities:
Month End Analysis/Close
- Post and review general ledger transactions to ensure accurate postings and reasonableness of transactions posting to general ledger accounts.
- Perform analysis of income and expense accounts. Analyze trends and identify large variances, including identification of potential prepaid expenses to be amortized.
- Set up recurring accruals, prepare quarterly materials for employee-related benefits and assist the Accounting Manager with necessary analysis.
- Perform various allocations for Health Benefits and Other Insurance expenses proportionately based on appropriate statistical drivers.
- Provide management with monthly, quarterly, and year over year income and expense variance explanations for month end close meeting. Assist with industry rate/volume analyses.
- Reconcile and review assigned monthly agings and general ledger account reconciliations.
Compliance, Risk and Support
- Assist the Accounting department with updates to Accounting-related procedures and documentation of accounting processes and workflows, including the design and implementation of internal controls to provide quality assurance over reported data.
- Ensure spreadsheet controls "best practices" are maintained across all existing critical spreadsheets within area of responsibility and are utilized in the development of new spreadsheets.
- Process wires from other areas of the bank and post general ledger entries related to the wire transactions. Ensure compliance with Wire Processing policies. Perform independent review and approval of foreign wires processed by the Accounts Payable department.
- Provide internal/external auditors with requested documents and support.
Partnering/Monthly Reporting
- Ensure good communication and working relationships are maintained with customers and colleagues throughout the bank. Communication involves all levels of the bank personnel.
- Input/process general ledger entries as requested by other areas of the bank, such as accruals or re-classes/corrections of general ledger accounts. Review entry requests prior to processing to confirm appropriate accounting treatment and follow up with contact for any questionable charges.
- Communicate with Human Resources and Wealth and Institutional Trust on account information regarding staff insurance and other benefits.
- Help other areas of the bank as needed, such as assisting with research of vendor payments or charges to general ledger accounts. Provide advice for appropriate application to general ledger accounts.
- Cross train/perform daily functions (as deemed necessary) to ensure coverage of critical processes during other team members PTO.
Accounting and Technical Consulting
- Stay abreast of accounting developments and work closely with others in the Accounting Department to apply technical and industry guidance as needed.
- Develop a functional understanding of banking and financial services industry processes/topics and accounting implications.
- Proactively identify opportunities to create operational efficiencies.
- Assist with implementation of automating certain processes or using advanced analytics to effectuate more efficient accounting and reporting processes.
- Perform other miscellaneous accounting functions as assigned.
Position Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in the field of Accounting or Finance
- 3 years of experience in accounting/finance related, including reporting and analysis
- 2 years of experience performing account reconciliation and internal control procedures
- 2 years of experience utilizing Microsoft Products including Word and Excel, including pivot tables
Licenses/Certifications:
- Preferred, CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday This position offers a hybrid work model that includes onsite and remote days as determined by the manager.
Comerica is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - veterans/individuals with disabilities, committed to workplace diversity.