Senior Analyst, Corporate Accounting

This position provides oversight and governance for the global accounting close process and manages associated improvement projects. This position also assists with strategic design and management of the Enterprise Resource Planning (or “ERP”) system, master data, and other unique accounting and financial reporting projects managed by the corporate accounting team. Candidate must have a strong knowledge of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), consolidated financial statements, and internal controls. This position works closely with accounting teams across the world as well as other business functions to promote quality and efficiency in our financial activities.

Experience:

• 4-7 years combined experience working for a public company and/or a public accounting firm (preferably Big Four) with relevant experience in consolidated financial statements, ERP systems, and/or project management. A master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or other related fields or a CPA license may be substituted for one year of additional experience.
• Experience in:
  U.S. GAAP (required).
  SEC rules and regulations (preferred).
  Share-based compensation accounting (strongly preferred).
  Multinational company organization (strongly preferred).
• Working knowledge of internal controls and SOX compliance.
• Working knowledge of major ERP systems (SAP/BPC/Anaplan preferred).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including a high degree of proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.

Education:

• BS in finance or accounting (required).
• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or other related fields (preferred).
• CPA (strongly preferred).

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Process oriented with outstanding attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Highly motivated, very organized, results oriented.
• Can perform under tight deadlines.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Help manage the global accounting close, including preparation or review of journal entries, reconciliations, and other documentation supporting the financial results for monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting periods
• Review and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial results (e.g., financial statements, close decks, and other internal/external reporting).
• Drive process improvement projects and create scalable best practices, with preliminary focus on the following:
  Streamline the stock administration process; account for share-based compensation arrangements; assist with related internal and external reporting; and prepare annual financial statements for the 401(k) plan.
  Improve the global close process and associated tasks.
• Simplify the master data structure and implement efficient master data strategies.
• Assist with ERP system and master data design to enable execution of complex business/accounting process changes.
• Serve as a resource for international accounting teams and perform ad hoc projects related to unique transactions, contracts, or other commercial arrangements.
• Partner with the technical accounting team on the implementation of new accounting standards or accounting for non-standard transactions.
• Research accounting guidance for unique matters and prepare whitepapers to support conclusions.
• Support external reporting matters as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Manager, Consolidations.
• No direct reports.

Travel:

• No travel required.

U.S. Physical Requirements:

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.