Financial Control Senior Analyst

The Financial Control Senior Analyst plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of financial reporting and accounting processes across the organization. As an experienced individual contributor, this role is responsible for executing and leading complex financial activities, including period-end closing, compensation accounting, financial reporting, and cost management. The analyst applies advanced technical expertise and sound judgment to resolve complex accounting issues, support strategic initiatives, and drive process improvements. With a strong understanding of enterprise strategy and business operations, the role collaborates cross-functionally to deliver actionable insights, enhance financial controls, and support transformation efforts. The position requires a high level of autonomy, analytical rigor, and the ability to influence outcomes through effective communication and stakeholder engagement.

Position Responsibilities

1) Accounting and Reporting

• Record-to-Report Execution:
  • Lead the implementation of new or updated accounting and reporting standards, ensuring accurate application and alignment with corporate policies.
  • Identify and assess accounting treatment for complex or unusual transactions, providing recommendations and documentation to support decisions.
  • Review and validate the accuracy and legitimacy of recorded financial transactions and related reports, ensuring completeness and compliance.
• Period Close:
  • Independently oversee month-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, reclasses, and reconciliations across integrated and non-integrated systems.
  • Define and maintain general ledger accounts and ensure the integrity of the chart of accounts.
  • Review and signoff reconciliation outputs, ensuring substantiation and resolution of discrepancies; approve and release journal entries in accordance with internal controls and compliance standards; and ensuring timely and accurate financial submissions.
• Benefits and Compensation Process: Provide advanced financial oversight and analysis of MFC employee compensation and benefits programs. Activities may include:
  • Ensuring that the accounting and financial reporting processes for compensation-related expenses (such as salaries, bonuses, and benefits accruals) comply with internal controls, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • Strategically collaborating with HR to ensure the validity of payroll inputs, incentive payouts, and benefits costs.
  • Interpret and challenge compensation trends, variances, and accruals to support strategic planning and forecasting.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Ensure an effective review of the financial statement preparation of statutory and management reporting by ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations. Activities may include:
  • Prepare and review financial statements and management reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal and external requirements.
  • Identify potential compliance risks and recommend mitigation strategies to senior stakeholders.
  • Ensure timely and accurate completion of all financial reporting obligations.
• Reporting and Analytical Support: Design and implement reporting systems and processes to deliver high-quality management information.
  • Review ad-hoc analyses to ensure effectiveness in addressing stakeholder needs.
  • Develop performance and project reporting tools tailored to business unit needs.
  • Provide analytical support for incentive compensation, marketing allowances, and deferred incentive plans (DIP), ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment.
• Accounting Advisory Support: Act as a subject matter expert in accounting discussions, providing guidance on complex issues and new business models.
  • Act as a subject matter expert to cross-functional teams in accounting discussions, providing guidance on complex issues during new business model evaluations, project initiatives, and resolution of ad-hoc accounting inquiries.
  • Interpret and apply new accounting standards, ensuring consistent implementation and alignment with corporate policies across functions.
  • Provide expert guidance in meetings, calls, and reporting activities related to changes in booking methodologies, regulatory studies, and financial reporting requirements.
  • Collaborate with senior stakeholders to assess financial impact of strategic initiatives and regulatory changes.

2) Cost Management & Planning

• Cost Accounting: Apply advanced costing methodologies (standard, marginal, absorption) and interpret cost variances (material, labor, overhead) to provide actionable insights. Lead cost analysis initiatives to identify performance issues and cost-reduction opportunities. Supervise preparation of detailed cost reports to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Ensure the support of budgeting, forecasting, and business planning activities by reviewing accurate preparation, variance analyses, and delivering insights that support strategic decision-making. Analyze cost drivers and trends to inform budget development and scenario planning.
• Expense Management: Accountable for highly effective expense management by independently managing expense recording, allocation, and reconciliation processes across legal entities; conducting audits of general expenses and supervising suspense account reconciliations. Ensure expense management practices align with financial controls and strategic objectives.

3) Process, Controls & Systems

• Process Compliance & Improvement: Identify and implement process improvement initiatives, leveraging best practices and industry trends. Ensure compliance with SOX controls and internal policies, supporting audit readiness and control effectiveness.
• Systems Proficiency: Maintain expertise in ERP and accounting systems; recommend and support system enhancements. Ensure that support systems such as Fieldglass and Ivalua feed effectively into accounting systems. Participate in the functional design and implementation of new accounting technologies and tools.
• System Admin Maintenance: Oversee setup and maintenance of cost centers, accounting units, and account structures to ensure accurate financial data flow and reporting.

4) Collaboration, Projects & Stakeholders

• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate complex financial information with clarity and context to diverse stakeholders. Analyze stakeholder profiles to identify opportunities for collaboration and efficiency.
• Project Participation: Independently manage components of multiple project plans, including business cases, contingencies, and critical paths. Monitor implementation progress, resolve obstacles, and communicate outcomes effectively.
• Finance Process Modernization: Actively contributes to transformation initiatives, leveraging technology and process redesign to improve efficiency and insight.
• Teamwork & Leadership: Foster a collaborative working environment by engaging with peers and cross-functional teams. Share expertise and insights to support team goals and enhance collective performance. Promote trust, openness, and respect in team interactions.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrate advanced interpersonal and influencing skills by proactively participating in cross-functional discussions, navigating stakeholder dynamics with professionalism and tact, and resolving conflicts constructively. Collaborates to drive alignment and shared accountability for organizational objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA or equivalent professional certification required; advanced certifications (e.g., CMA, CFA) are an advantage.
• 4 to 6 years of progressive experience in financial control, accounting operations, and reporting, including Record-to-Report (R2R), Procure-to-Pay (P2P), and Order-to-Cash (O2C).
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex accounting transactions, financial reporting, cost analysis, and compliance.
• Proven track record of contributing to cross-functional projects, process improvement initiatives, and transformation programs.
• Experience in interpreting and applying accounting standards and leading financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Advanced understanding and application of professional accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, US GAAP).
• Expertise in transactional accounting, period-end close, financial statement preparation, and compliance reporting.
• Proficiency in cost accounting methodologies and financial planning techniques, including variance analysis and forecasting.
• Strong command of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and accounting applications; hands-on experience with Fieldglass, Ivalua, and reporting tools is preferred.
• Ability to assess system functionality, recommend enhancements, and contribute to the design and implementation of accounting technology solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and resolve high-impact issues.
• Advanced communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders and influence cross-functional alignment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and functions.
• Proactive mindset with adaptability to change and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Lead through expertise by sharing insights, guiding peers, and contributing to team success without formal people management responsibilities.
• Take full ownership of deliverables, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Exhibit sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in managing tasks and resolving challenges.
• Understand and support business strategy, evaluating the financial impact of change and contributing to transformation efforts.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment, fostering trust, respect, and shared accountability.

When you join our team:

•  We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
•  We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
•  As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].