Senior Manager, ESG Accounting & Reporting

The Role :

Read the overview of this opportunity to understand what skills, including and relevant soft skills and software package proficiencies, are required.

Morningstar is looking for a Senior Manager - ESG Reporting to join our global Finance organization, which is focused on business partnership, innovation, automation, and process improvements.

As the Senior Manager - ESG Reporting, you will work cross-functionally with various stakeholders and be involved in several initiatives to optimize and enhance the Company's ESG external reporting and infrastructure such that we meet anticipated global ESG regulatory compliance timelines.

This position reports to the Director - Financial Reporting. This is a full-time position and is based in our Chicago office.

Responsibilities :

ESG Reporting responsibilities may include, but are not limited to :

• Assist with monitoring and analyzing global ESG reporting requirements to provide guidance on complying with requirements.
• Work cross-functionally to support a changing ESG reporting landscape and drive process improvement.
• Assist in managing the implementation of new ESG accounting / sustainability standards (including SEC climate-related guidance, EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and other global or country-specific sustainability reporting requirements) and related accounting policies.
• Support the non-financial data review for our annual reports (Corporate Sustainability Report, SASB Report, TCFD Report).

Examples of the implementation work may include :

• Assist in assessing existing ESG reporting processes including input assessment, data capture, assessment of processes, controls and governance, and evaluation of system capabilities and implementation of process improvements that reduce risk, create efficiencies, and ensure reporting integrity and assurance.
• Support and educate the business and senior leadership in their understanding of ESG disclosures and any related implications to ensure ESG disclosure requirements are properly vetted and implemented in a well-controlled process from an end-to-end perspective.
• Work with cross-functional teams to review and document current ESG processes, draft disclosures as needed, identify risk areas and areas for improvement, and design controls around these to reduce risk and exposure to avoid operational complications, as well as evaluate and assess potential gaps in reporting and control environment.
• Support stakeholders to optimize emerging technology to create efficiencies and better serve stakeholder needs.

Requirements :

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, sustainability, or similar discipline is required.
• Relevant professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, Certified Sustainability Practitioner (CSP), Greenhouse Gas Management Institute diploma, or equivalent are a plus.
• Background in sustainability and GHG accounting strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of work experience in a combination of ESG reporting, accounting and financial reporting, internal controls, risk management, data management, or related fields.
• Big 4 public accounting experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, including SEC reporting requirements.
• Understanding of current and emerging sustainability regulatory landscape in the United States including SEC Reporting Rules and abroad, including CSRD.
• Experience with corporate sustainability reporting frameworks and platforms including SASB, TCFD, and CDP, as well as data collection and management.
• Ability to multi-task and manage shifting priorities and deadlines, with attention to detail, and an ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to work well on large and small cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to build relationships with team members, business leaders, and global accounting and sustainability functions.
• Forward-thinking attitude with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent documentation skills to be used in developing audit work papers and completing SOX-like reviews.
• Strong skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word).

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