Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

About us:

Gradiant is a global solutions provider for advanced water and wastewater treatment. We are a different kind of water company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions, powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients' mission-critical operations in the world's essential industries. Gradiant’s innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 1,000 employees worldwide. Learn more at gradiant.com.

About the role:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced FP & A Manager to lead our accounting operations and drive financial excellence. This role is critical in ensuring accurate financial reporting, optimizing processes, and supporting strategic decision-making in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, strong technical expertise, and a proven ability to lead teams, implement scalable solutions, and navigate ambiguity.

This position will oversee the general ledger function, ensure compliance with US GAAP and regulatory standards, and drive process improvements through automation and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, capable of balancing big-picture thinking with operational execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting:

• Lead and oversee the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with US GAAP and company policies.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
• Manage reconciliations of general ledger accounts, intercompany transactions, and other financial data.
• Support internal and external reporting requirements, including audit readiness.
• Maintain and improve internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with SOX and other regulatory standards.

Process Optimization & Automation:

• Identify inefficiencies in accounting workflows and implement scalable, automated solutions to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Drive system implementations or improvements (e.g., SAP S4H) and ensure smooth transitions.
• Streamline month-end and year-end close processes to enable faster and more accurate reporting.
• Continuously evaluate and optimize accounting processes to support the company’s growth and scalability.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.
• Provide guidance, training, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Build structure in evolving environments, defining processes and systems to support rapid growth and change.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities, providing actionable insights to drive decision-making.
• Engage in cross-functional projects, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications & Skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent certification is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a focus on financial reporting, compliance, and process optimization. Proven experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, preferably within a multinational or large corporate setting.
• Strong expertise in general ledger management, month-end/year-end close processes, and internal controls.
• Experience with SAP (S4H or ECCS) is required; familiarity with accounting automation tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is a plus.

Technical Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of US GAAP, IFRS, and technical accounting standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other financial software tools.
• Experience with SOX compliance, risk management, and audit readiness.

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Innovative thinking and a proactive approach to identifying and solving challenges.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and lead by example.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Gradiant is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.