Specialist- Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting USA

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

This position assists in the preparation and review of various SEC filings (Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Proxy Statements, etc.) and participates in technical accounting research and documentation. In addition, this position is required to assist and provide guidance to the finance department in the preparation of certain journal entries; the application of U.S. GAAP in various jurisdictions; the development, implementation, and application of our accounting policies; and maintenance of the company's accounting/finance policy manual. The candidate must have strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC regulations. From time to time, this position also supports the review of certain transactions presented in the Deal Risk Committee or Scope of Authority contract review meetings. This position works closely with multiple organizations including accounting, tax, finance, treasury, legal, and other business groups to support SEC filings and ensure accounting issues are appropriately identified, analyzed, and reported.

Education/Experience:

• BS (or international equivalent) in finance/accounting (required).
• Master's degree (or international equivalent) in finance, accounting, business, or other related fields (preferred).
• CPA (U.S.) or CA (international) (preferred).
• 5+ years combined experience working for a public accounting firm and/or a public company with relevant experience in financial reporting and technical accounting research.
• Experience in:
  
  
  
  • U.S. GAAP (required).
  • SEC rules and regulations (required).
  
  
• XBRL (preferred)
• Working knowledge that preferably consists of, but is not limited to, the following:
  
  
  
  • Revenue recognition.
  • Lease accounting.
  • Inventory accounting.
  • Investments and joint ventures.
  • Debt transactions.
  • Derivative/hedging transactions.
  • SOX compliance.
  • Experience with Oracle or other ERP systems.
  • Workiva financial reporting platform (preferred).
  
  
• Microsoft Office applications, including a high degree of proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Financial Analytics - Ability to review and guide others in interpreting data and deriving meaningful and accurate analysis.
• Problem Solving - Ability to provide guidance to others to solve various problems through efficient and comprehensive solutions.
• Collaboration - Team Leader who evaluates, discusses and influences across functional teams to deliver improvement results.
• Ability to perform under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work with team members in other jurisdictions and time zones.
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal direct oversight.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist in the preparation and filing of Forms 10-Q, 10-K, 8-K, DEF 14-A, and other required SEC filings, including XBRL (as applicable).
• Serve as a resource for the business in reviewing the accounting for significant sales and other contracts, including communicating key impacts and observations to executive management.
• Assist in the implementation of new accounting standards and the related disclosure requirements.
• Interface with a variety of organizations including the accounting, tax, finance, treasury, legal, and other business groups. Serve as a key contact for external auditors.
• Lead technical accounting research and documentation for various U.S. GAAP matters, including but not limited to leases, equity-method investments, variable interest entities, asset retirement obligations, marketable securities, debt, share-based compensation, foreign currencies, derivative and hedging arrangements, and revenue recognition.
• Review monthly / quarterly accounting reconciliations and SOX controls.
• Prepare and review SEC filings using the Workiva software.
• Support earnings calls and other investor communications as required.
• Lead the application of various U.S. GAAP accounting policies and maintain the company's accounting/finance policy manual.
• Coach accounting associates at our shared service center on various technical accounting areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.
• Ensure compliance with Quality, Environment, Health and Safety, and Responsible Business Alliance policies and procedures that are enforced within the organization.

Reporting Relationships:

• This role reports to the Manager, Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting.

Travel:

• Up to 10% travel may be required.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $95,000 - $130,000 Estimated Annual Salary Range

US Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. 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.