What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Accountant position at Discover Financial Services?
Discover. A brighter future.
With us, you’ll do meaningful work from Day 1. Our collaborative culture is built on three core behaviors: We Play to Win, We Get Better Every Day & We Succeed Together. And we mean it — we want you to grow and make a difference at one of the world's leading digital banking and payments companies. We value what makes you unique so that you have an opportunity to shine.
Come build your future, while being the reason millions of people find a brighter financial future with Discover.
Job Description
What You’ll Do
Apply specialized skill or expertise to determine appropriate application of GAAP, regulation or operational process. Must demonstrate ability to explain judgements to senior management, auditors and/or examiners. Manage responsibilities independently, establishing direction, and prioritizing efforts. Serve as subject matter expert on multiple and highly complex business activities. Demonstrate broad perspective and critical thinking that is cross functional, extending beyond area(s) of responsibility. Ability to get the heart of an issue, demonstrating strategic thinking while leveraging technical expertise in formulating solutions. Act in a constative nature and make recommendations to advance initiatives, even if not in own area, while also demonstrating flexibility and open-mindedness in evaluating options. Challenge the status quo by evaluating situations from multiple facets. Develop relationships, expanding leadership influence to accomplish results through others. Responsible for the design and operating effectiveness of the control environment within the area of responsibility. Apply judgement for the appropriate application of Corporate Policy, GAAP, Regulation or established framework. Able to lead discussions with senior management as well as external parties. Demonstrates influence and decision-making across levels. Demonstrate accountability and leadership in the advancement of priorities independent of management oversight.
Promote a risk-aware culture, ensure efficient and effective risk and compliance management practices by adhering to require standards and processes.
Actively manages and escalates risk and customer-impacting issues within the day-to-day role to management.
How You’ll Do
The Basics
Requirements
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by federal, state, and local laws:
Application Deadline
The application window for this position is anticipated to close on Apr-06-2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The posting may be available past this date, but it is not guaranteed.
Compensation
The base pay for this position generally ranges between $77,500.00 to $131,500.00. Additional incentives may be provided as part of a market competitive total compensation package. Factors, such as but not limited to, geographical location, relevant experience, education, and skill level may impact the pay for this position.
Benefits
We also offer a range of benefits and programs based on eligibility. These benefits include:
What are you waiting for? Apply today!
All Discover employees place our customers at the very center of our work. To deliver on our promises to our customers, each of us contribute every day to a culture that values compliance and risk management.
Discover is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status. (Know Your Rights)
Discover complies with federal, state, and local laws applicable to qualified individuals with disabilities and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation to search for a position, to complete an application, and/or to participate in an interview, please email HireAccommodation@discover.com. Any information you provide regarding your accommodation needs will be kept confidential and will only be used to determine and provide necessary accommodation.
At Discover, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace through our Fair Chance Hiring practices. Fair Chance Hiring means that we base our hiring decisions on an applicant’s qualifications rather than their criminal record. All our positions are subject to Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Our applicants go through a background check, and we follow all applicable local laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance (LA County Fair Chance).
Positions marked as remote eligible are limited to remote locations within the country in which the position is based.
Applicants must be 18 or older at the time of hire.
With us, you’ll do meaningful work from Day 1. Our collaborative culture is built on three core behaviors: We Play to Win, We Get Better Every Day & We Succeed Together. And we mean it — we want you to grow and make a difference at one of the world's leading digital banking and payments companies. We value what makes you unique so that you have an opportunity to shine.
Come build your future, while being the reason millions of people find a brighter financial future with Discover.
Job Description
What You’ll Do
Apply specialized skill or expertise to determine appropriate application of GAAP, regulation or operational process. Must demonstrate ability to explain judgements to senior management, auditors and/or examiners. Manage responsibilities independently, establishing direction, and prioritizing efforts. Serve as subject matter expert on multiple and highly complex business activities. Demonstrate broad perspective and critical thinking that is cross functional, extending beyond area(s) of responsibility. Ability to get the heart of an issue, demonstrating strategic thinking while leveraging technical expertise in formulating solutions. Act in a constative nature and make recommendations to advance initiatives, even if not in own area, while also demonstrating flexibility and open-mindedness in evaluating options. Challenge the status quo by evaluating situations from multiple facets. Develop relationships, expanding leadership influence to accomplish results through others. Responsible for the design and operating effectiveness of the control environment within the area of responsibility. Apply judgement for the appropriate application of Corporate Policy, GAAP, Regulation or established framework. Able to lead discussions with senior management as well as external parties. Demonstrates influence and decision-making across levels. Demonstrate accountability and leadership in the advancement of priorities independent of management oversight.
Promote a risk-aware culture, ensure efficient and effective risk and compliance management practices by adhering to require standards and processes.
Actively manages and escalates risk and customer-impacting issues within the day-to-day role to management.
How You’ll Do
- Completes accounting control activities, such as account reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close review. Each requires gathering or reviewing the relevant supporting details from source reporting and/or business partners and taking action based on independent review. Demonstrate subject matter expertise and ability to apply independent judgment in decision-making to advance more technical components of own responsibilities. Role may also require routine review and/or approval of work completed by others.
- Performs monthly close routine in support of responsibilities within the team assigned. This may include representing team during meetings and completing specific financial reporting schedules or month-end variance analysis.
- Represents role and awareness of broader team functions in cross-functional teams to independently support the advancement of priorities in areas of responsibility, new business initiatives and/or resolution of production events, the scopes of which may evolve over time and be long-term in nature. Independently lead projects unique to role and engage business and technology partners as needed to support advancement and implementation.
- Provides financial reporting, audit, and compliance support by satisfying all requests timely and accurately with requested information.
- Manages the flow of wide scope of transactions impacting role through various internal and external systems as well as support related system testing efforts, trouble shooting and requirements gathering. Serve as primary contact to facilitate mapping of new transactions and ensure all such transactions are appropriately reflected to support accurate financial reporting.
- Independently identify and implement control improvements and process efficiencies relating to role, supporting automation and a stronger control environment.
The Basics
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field
- 3 years of experience in accounting, finance, or related field
- In Lieu of Education Experience 7 years accounting or finance, or related experience
Requirements
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by federal, state, and local laws:
- Primarily remain in a stationary position.
- No required movement about the work environment to complete the major responsibilities of the job.
- Primarily performed indoors in an office setting.
- Ability to operate office equipment such as but not limited to computer, telephone, printer, and calculator.
- Ability to communicate verbally.; Ability to communicate in written form.
- Master's degree in business administration and management, accounting, or related field
- 2 years of experience in banking, payments, financial or regulatory reporting, or related field
Application Deadline
The application window for this position is anticipated to close on Apr-06-2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The posting may be available past this date, but it is not guaranteed.
Compensation
The base pay for this position generally ranges between $77,500.00 to $131,500.00. Additional incentives may be provided as part of a market competitive total compensation package. Factors, such as but not limited to, geographical location, relevant experience, education, and skill level may impact the pay for this position.
Benefits
We also offer a range of benefits and programs based on eligibility. These benefits include:
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Time Off
- 401(k) Plan
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Health Savings Account
- Short and Long Term Disability, Life, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurances
- Recognition Program
- Education Assistance
- Commuter Benefits
- Family Support Programs
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
What are you waiting for? Apply today!
All Discover employees place our customers at the very center of our work. To deliver on our promises to our customers, each of us contribute every day to a culture that values compliance and risk management.
Discover is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status. (Know Your Rights)
Discover complies with federal, state, and local laws applicable to qualified individuals with disabilities and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation to search for a position, to complete an application, and/or to participate in an interview, please email HireAccommodation@discover.com. Any information you provide regarding your accommodation needs will be kept confidential and will only be used to determine and provide necessary accommodation.
At Discover, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace through our Fair Chance Hiring practices. Fair Chance Hiring means that we base our hiring decisions on an applicant’s qualifications rather than their criminal record. All our positions are subject to Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Our applicants go through a background check, and we follow all applicable local laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance (LA County Fair Chance).
Positions marked as remote eligible are limited to remote locations within the country in which the position is based.
Applicants must be 18 or older at the time of hire.
