Lead Financial Accountant - P4 - DC

About this role:

Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead financial Accountant.

Our Controllers department plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of our financial data, supporting strategic decision-making and regulatory compliance. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Data Controller to join our dynamic team and drive improvements in our data management processes.

We are looking for a proactive and experienced Lead Data Controller to take ownership of the timely and complete receipt of critical financial data elements within our Controllers department. This is a crucial role that requires strong leadership, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of data flows within financial services. The candidate will be instrumental in ensuring the quality and availability of data for all reporting purposes, leading a small team, and collaborating extensively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities include identification of risks, design of effective controls, and oversight of production activities such as data sourcing, processing, analyzing, and reviewing the output while ensuring that the activities are conducted in a controlled environment.

In this role, you will:

• Act as a lead Consultant for financial accounting related matters for lines of business and other control functions
• Apply a broad and deep functional expertise on accounting in order to influence and provide direction to Management on highly sensitive situations or negotiations
• Provide technical expertise regarding accounting issues, regulatory information and research
• Provide technical assistance on major transactions and product development
• Provide data for preparing and reviewing financial and regulatory reports
• Communicate practices and procedures for proper financial control functions in accordance with the company's internal controls policies
• Articulate the impact of policy changes to management within business group or organization
• Apply extensive specialized knowledge and act as an internal consultant or final authority in area of expertise
• Provide technical interpretation on matters and a key change agent in building and adopting best practices within the functional area
• Lead implementation of the most complex projects or initiatives impacting multiple lines of business or across the enterprise
• Identify compliance and risk management requirements for supported area and works with other stakeholders to implement key risk initiatives
• Provide strategic consultation to leadership
• Interface with external agencies, regulatory bodies or industry forums
• Provide work guidance or mentorship to other peers

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Finance, Accounting, Analytics, Financial Reporting, Accounting Reporting or Risk Reporting experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a data-focused role within the financial services industry (e.g., banking, asset management, insurance).
• Ability to understand inherent risks within data
• Strong understanding of financial products, their underlying risks, and how to design a strong robust control environment around those risks
• Proven experience leading a small team and proven experience of owning processes front to back
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience in data reconciliation, validation, and quality assurance.
•  Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Qualified CA/CFA/ICWA/MBA
• Understanding of change management discipline and ability to collaborate effectively
• Intuitive; fast learner with good problem-solving skills.
• Extensive hands-on experience with AxiomSL (or comparable enterprise-level financial reporting and data management system)
• Experience with data science concepts, methodologies, or tools (e.g., Python, R, machine learning for anomaly detection, data visualization) applied to financial data.
• Familiarity with data governance frameworks and best practices.

Job Expectations

Data Oversight & Delivery:

• Act as the primary point of contact for all data inflow into International Controllers by ensuring data is received accurately, completely, and on schedule for reporting deadlines.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust data reconciliation and validation processes to guarantee data integrity.
• Proactively identify and resolve data discrepancies, working closely with upstream data providers and source system owners.
•  Monitor data quality metrics and report on data completeness and accuracy to senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to data acquisition, processing, and quality within Controllers.
• Ensure operational documentation is maintained, and is best in class

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of Data Controllers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
•  Allocate tasks, manage workloads, and ensure efficient operation of the data control function.
• Contribute to the hiring and onboarding of new team members as needed.

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate effectively with various internal departments, including Technology, Operations, and other finance functions, to ensure seamless data flow and resolve issues.
• Provide relevant control metrics as required to facilitate oversight and governance
• Communicate clearly and concisely with stakeholders regarding data status, issues, and resolutions.
• The above ‘individual contributor’ tasks, this role will directly support the Financial and Regulatory Reporting Teams

Posting End Date: 

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

We Value Equal Opportunity

Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.

Candidates applying to job openings posted in Canada: Applications for employment are encouraged from all qualified candidates, including women, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and visible minorities. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process.

Applicants with Disabilities

To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace.  Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.

Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:

a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.

b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.