Job Description:

Expense Accounting and Payroll Accounting Officer

Role Summary

The Expense Accounting Center of Excellence (COE) Lead is responsible for overseeing US GAAP-compliant expense and Payroll accounting and accrual processes while leading a team that supports Global Accounting Controllers and Finance Controllers. The role ensures accurate reporting, strong controls, timely delivery, and continuous process improvement through standardization and automation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership & Governance

·         Lead, coach, and develop a team of 2-3 accounting professionals.

·         Promote accountability, ownership, and a high-performance culture.

·         Align workloads with staffing capacity and delivery timelines.

·         Act as the primary escalation point for people, process, and system issues.

·         Ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

2. Accounting & Reporting Oversight

·         Oversee end-to-end payroll accounting and reporting activities.

·         Perform managerial reviews to ensure accuracy, completeness, and relevance.

·         Provide reporting support and analytical insights to stakeholders.

·         Serve as the subject matter expert for complex accounting and reporting matters.

3. Core Accounting Activities

Daily / Weekly

·         Monitor General Ledger activity in accordance with US GAAP.

·         Prepare and review manual journal entries.

Monthly

·         Support and coordinate month-end close activities.

·         Prepare prepaid amortization schedules and related postings.

·         Prepare aged accrual summaries and clear control accounts.

·         Perform account reconciliations and certifications.

Quarterly

·         Execute SOX control testing.

·         Manage intercompany expense settlements.

Annual

·         Perform CIS control testing.

·         Support internal and external audits.

Ad hoc

·         Update process documentation, SOPs, and flowcharts.

·         Perform variance analysis and respond to stakeholder queries.

·         Manage GL maintenance and user access reviews.

·         Support system enhancements and new transaction setups.

4. Transformation & Automation 

·         Lead process re-engineering and standardization initiatives 

·         Drive automation using tools such as Copilot, Power BI, Alteryx, and Tableau 

·         Support implementation of GAO transformation and right-placement strategy 

·         Continuously improve efficiency and process effectiveness 

Skills & Competencies

·         Strong knowledge of US GAAP and accrual accounting.

·         Expertise in financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls, including SOX and Audit.

·         Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

·         Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving ability.

·         Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under tight timelines.

Qualifications & Experience

·         Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or an MBA in Finance.

·         12–16 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, or a shared services environment.

·         3–5 years of experience leading teams and managing cross-functional deliverables.

·         Strong exposure to payroll accounting, General Ledger processes, and US GAAP.

·         Experience with process improvement, automation, or transformation initiatives is highly desirable.

About State Street

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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