Job Description
Position Summary
As a member of the US Controller organization, this Senior Specialist supports controllership, financial reporting, and the internal control environment for assigned US legal entities. The role works closely with the Treasury area and with the Business Service Centers. It has primary responsibility for coordinating and reviewing accounting activities and may also gain exposure to other areas supported by US Controllers, such as Research and Development Division, Human Health, Manufacturing Division, Global Support Functions areas, and Corporate Areas including Consolidation Accounting on an ad hoc basis.
The Senior Specialist provides hands-on financial oversight and accounting support for assigned areas, helping ensure accuracy of our company's financial results, balance sheet integrity, intercompany accounting, and close activities.
The role also provides the opportunity to participate in financial integrations or divestitures involving US entities through the TRAIN process. Additionally, it contributes to team development by providing day-to-day guidance, reviewing work, and directly supervising two individuals. The position also drives the adoption of technology and emerging AI capabilities to improve consistency and efficiency across assigned activities while working closely with shared service delivery centers.
This opportunity offers broad exposure across the enterprise and provides a solid foundation for continued growth within controllership and other finance roles.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Entity Accounting
• Supervise day-to-day accounting and controllership activities for assigned Human Health activities within the US Controller organization.
• Review intercompany activity and monitor balance sheet integrity.
• Oversee end-to-end process for miscellaneous check receipts. Includes all aspects for tracking & processing checks, ensuring conformity with third party banks and finalizing impacts associated with cash reported in balance sheet results.
• Coordinate with business and finance partners to research financial results, provide commentary, and help resolve accounting and operational issues.
Financial Accounting and Reporting
• Support and coordinate assigned monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities in compliance with US GAAP and applicable statutory requirements.
• Partner with Corporate Accounting, Tax, Treasury, FP&A, Business Service Centers, and external auditors to support accurate reporting, analysis, and disclosure.
• Monitor deliverables, follow up on open items, and help ensure deadlines and quality expectations are met.
• Demonstrate deep understanding of GAAP principles to accurately analyze complex accounting transactions.
• Leverage modern automation, machine learning tools, and generative AI to streamline repetitive financial processes, optimize month-end workflows, and perform high-level data analysis.
Internal Controls and Compliance
• Perform, review, and monitor internal controls over financial reporting and entity-level compliance for assigned responsibilities.
• Support compliance with company policies, SOX requirements, local statutory requirements, and other regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate documentation and responses for internal and external audit requests and support timely issue resolution.
• Identify control gaps or recurring issues and recommend practical corrective actions.
Team Supervision and Business Partnership
• Serve as a day-to-day finance contact for stakeholders across operating divisions and supporting functions.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and work review for team members while promoting accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Work with finance, operations, and business partners to support decision-making and improve financial outcomes.
• Support defined process improvement initiatives and contribute to broader controllership transformation efforts.
• Communicate issues, risks, and recommendations clearly to management and relevant stakeholders.
Qualifications
Required
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 2-4 years of progressive accounting experience, with experience coordinating work, reviewing deliverables, or providing guidance to others.
• Possess conceptual understanding of accounting principles and processes, including working knowledge of US GAAP, internal controls, statutory accounting, and legal entity management.
• Ability to collaborate across functions, manage multiple priorities, and communicate effectively with stakeholders in a matrixed organization.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional integrity, accountability, and consistent follow-through.
• Attention to detail with the ability to connect financial accuracy, controls, and operational priorities.
• Ability to coach others, review work, share knowledge, and support team development.
• Continuous improvement mindset and openness to new technology and ways of working.
• Ability to work effectively through changing priorities and ambiguous situations.
Preferred:
• CPA or progress toward certification.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, SAP, APPIAN, and Blackline
• Experience using AI-powered tools, machine learning engines, or automation software to streamline financial workflows.
Required Skills:
Accounting Applications, Accounting Applications, Adaptability, Balance Sheet Accounting, Bank Compliance, Budget Variance Analysis, Control Theory, Corporate Accounting, Credit Management, Credit Risk Assessment, Finance Strategy, Financial Accounting Controls, Financial Compliance, Financial Controlling, Financial Data Reporting, Financial Forecasting, Financial Oversight, Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Intercompany Accounting, Internal Control Framework, Internal Control Procedures, Internal Control System, Internal Control Testing, Internal Financial Control, Invoice Management {+ 7 more}
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
10/12/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
