JOB SUMMARY

The Staff Accountant position has been established to enable Peoples Bank to provide best-in-class financial products and services to its customers while also delivering superior returns to Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ: FNWD) stockholders. The Staff Accountant's responsibilities include preparing financial reports, performing account reconciliations, maintaining the general ledger, assisting with audit preparations, and performing other accounting duties as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform daily, weekly and monthly reconciliations and general ledger maintenance.
• Ensuring timely close by preparing and review reconcilements per the reconciliation checklist
• Prepare daily and month-end journal entries as assigned.
• Prepare reports for management and Board meetings including monthly financials, ratio analysis, and other presentations as assigned.
• Makes recommendations for potential improvements and department efficiencies.
• Establish/maintain efficient processes and support operational enhancements and improvements.
• Act as a liaison with regulators, internal audit, and external auditors by maintaining request lists as assigned.
• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities with Controller and Assistant Controller to ensure timely and accurate reporting as well as assist with audit requests.
• Contribute to regulatory filings including call report, 10-Q, and 10-K.
• Process and document controls to ensure SOX and FDICIA compliance with internal control environment.
• Remains current on Accounting Rules and Regulations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required:
  • Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
  • A good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including formulas, formatting, page layout, filtering, and views.
  • Highly organized; ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
  • Strong written, verbal, and analytical skills.
• Preferred:
  • 1 - 2 years of experience within a financial institution or public accounting
  • CPA Eligible

ABOUT US

For over a century, Peoples Bank has served as a cornerstone of customer commitment, helping our communities thrive and continuously supporting our community members. Proudly bearing the Finward name as a Finward Company, our logo symbolizes our unwavering dedication to financial excellence, advanced technology, and elevating the customer journey.

Headquartered in Munster, Indiana, Peoples Bank offers an extensive array of consumer, business, and wealth management solutions, alongside cutting-edge digital banking services. With 26 conveniently located Peoples Banking Centers spread across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, we uphold a tradition of delivering top-notch performance to our valued residents.

At Peoples Bank, we are driven by a passion for fostering success within our customer base and communities. Anchored in our core values of Stability, Integrity, Community, and Excellence, we are committed to building strong partnerships with our customers and communities to help them achieve financial success. Through innovative engagement and technology, we ensure an exceptional customer experience at every turn.

Peoples is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Equal Housing Lender/ Member FDIC