Controllers, Investment Accountant, French/Spanish Speaking, Associate, London

at  Goldman Sachs

OUR IMPACT

The Goldman Sachs Group is a bank holding company and a leading leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York with offices in major financial centres around the world.
We are committed to growing our distinctive Culture and upholding our core values which always place our client’s interests first. These values are reflected in our Business Principles, which emphasise integrity, commitment to excellence, innovation and teamwork.
Controllers ensure that the firm meets all the financial control and reporting obligations of a global, regulated, and public financial institution. Our professionals measure the profitability of, and risks associated with, every aspect of the firm’s business. Controllers also ensure that the firm’s activities are conducted in compliance with the regulations governing transactions in the financial markets.
We’re a team of specialists charged with managing the firm’s liquidity, capital, and risk, and providing the overall financial control and reporting functions. Whether assessing the creditworthiness of the firm’s counterparties, monitoring market risks associated with trading activities, or offering analytical and regulatory compliance support, our work contributes directly to the firm’s success. The business is ideal for collaborative individuals who have strong ethics and attention to detail.

YOUR IMPACT

The Financial Reporting department consists of 5 teams – Operating entities Controllers, Investment Accounting, Structured Investing Group Controllers, Goldman Sachs International Controllers and Regulatory Financial Reporting Controllers.
As an Investment Accounting Controller you will take complete ownership of the financial reporting and oversight of legal entities investing in a wide range of real estate assets, loans, debt and private equity investments. You will develop an in-depth understanding of these entities, including their investments, business strategies, and associated technical and management accounting requirements.
We’re looking for a bright, driven professional to join our Investment Accounting team, who is keen to use and develop their technical accounting skills to provide high quality reporting and analysis of our investments in a challenging and varied environment.

Responsibilities

• Preparation, analysis, review and presentation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting to senior management, directors, and other key stakeholders under US GAAP
• Preparation and analysis of financial statements, including resolving technical accounting issues and disclosure requirements, and liaising with external auditors
• Review and control of monthly and annual local GAAP financial reporting prepared by our external accounting partners across Europe
• Preparation and explanation of monthly P&L estimates to the trading Desk and coordination with Product Control
• Manage the takedown of new investments and develop processes with external partners to ensure timely receipt of accurate accounting and management reporting information
• Provide oversight of our external accounting partners to assure adherence with local obligations such as tax, regulatory and statutory audits
• Take full ownership and become the subject matter expert for entire legal entities
• Understanding the business and strategy of your entities, keeping up-to-date with business and market developments and communicating this effectively to key stakeholders
• Coordination with multiple teams across the firm - and across the globe - including Realty Management Division, Merchant Banking Division, Legal, Compliance, Tax, Operations, Technology and Investment Accounting teams in Asia and US, in a collaborative and problem-solving capacity
• Proactively seeking opportunities to improve our workflows, technology, and integrity of reporting information
• Involvement in a broad range of department–wide projects and initiatives as well as cross-departmental initiatives

REQUIREMENTS

• Qualified accountant – ACA (Newly qualified to 2 years PQE experience)
• Able to demonstrate technical accounting knowledge in your current area of expertise Preparation of audited financial statements under UK GAAP or IFRS an advantage
• Experience in preparation of audited financial statements under US, UK GAAP or IFRS an advantage A track record of improving processes and adding value to clients/stakeholders
• Proficiency in French and/or Spanish language is required
• Strong analytical skill – You demonstrate an aptitude for problem solving with the ability to exercise sound and balanced judgment in a highly regulated environment
• Functional expertise - Enjoy keeping up-to-date with emerging business, economic, and market trends
• Strong technical accounting skills – You demonstrate strong technical skills, pay attention to detail, take initiative to broaden your knowledge and resolve accounting issues
• Strong multi-cultural sensitivities – You enjoy interacting across countries and cultural areas.
• Personal drive and motivation - Successfully handle multiple tasks, take initiative to improve your own performance, work intensely towards challenging goals
• A client and business focus - Effectively handle difficult requests, build trusting, long-term relationships with clients, help the client to identify/define needs and manages client/business expectations
• Strong teamwork ethic – You are a strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills. You collaborate well with others within and across teams, encourage other team members to participate and contribute and acknowledges others’ contributions
• Excellent communication skills - Communicate what is relevant and important in a clear and concise manner and share information/new ideas with others
• Judgement and problem solving – You will always be thinking ahead, able to anticipate questions, plan for contingencies, find alternative solutions and identifies clear objectives.
• Creativity/Innovation and a desire to add value - Look for new ways to improve current processes and develop creative solutions that are grounded in reality and have practical value
• The ability to influence outcomes - Present sound, persuasive rationale for ideas or opinions. Able to take a position on issues and influences others’ opinions and presents persuasive recommendations both internally and to our external partners

• Preparation, analysis, review and presentation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting to senior management, directors, and other key stakeholders under US GAAP
• Preparation and analysis of financial statements, including resolving technical accounting issues and disclosure requirements, and liaising with external auditors
• Review and control of monthly and annual local GAAP financial reporting prepared by our external accounting partners across Europe
• Preparation and explanation of monthly P&L estimates to the trading Desk and coordination with Product Control
• Manage the takedown of new investments and develop processes with external partners to ensure timely receipt of accurate accounting and management reporting information
• Provide oversight of our external accounting partners to assure adherence with local obligations such as tax, regulatory and statutory audits
• Take full ownership and become the subject matter expert for entire legal entities
• Understanding the business and strategy of your entities, keeping up-to-date with business and market developments and communicating this effectively to key stakeholders
• Coordination with multiple teams across the firm - and across the globe - including Realty Management Division, Merchant Banking Division, Legal, Compliance, Tax, Operations, Technology and Investment Accounting teams in Asia and US, in a collaborative and problem-solving capacity
• Proactively seeking opportunities to improve our workflows, technology, and integrity of reporting information
• Involvement in a broad range of department–wide projects and initiatives as well as cross-departmental initiative