Sr. Reconciliation Data Analyst - Payments

Our client is seeking a detail-oriented Reconciliation & Reporting Analyst to join the Recon & Reporting team. In this role, you will be responsible for reconciling financial transactions across card networks, banks, processors, and internal systems to ensure financial accuracy and reporting integrity. You will investigate discrepancies, automate reporting processes, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to improving reconciliation processes and controls. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong analytical skills, SQL expertise, and experience in payments, reconciliation, accounting, or finance operations. Key Responsibilities Financial Reconciliation & Reporting • Perform daily, weekly, and monthly reconciliations between card networks, banking partners, processors, and internal financial systems. • Investigate and resolve reconciliation breaks by performing detailed root cause analysis. • Design, develop, and maintain automated SQL-based reconciliation reports and dashboards. • Monitor settlement, funding, and banking activities to identify discrepancies and operational issues. • Support month-end close by preparing reconciliation reports and documentation for accounting and audit purposes. Data Analysis & Process Improvement • Analyze large transactional datasets to identify trends, exceptions, and opportunities for automation. • Develop operational KPIs and reporting dashboards to improve reconciliation efficiency. • Maintain process documentation, SOPs, and operational runbooks. • Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance controls and operational efficiency. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner with Engineering, Product, Accounting, Treasury, Compliance, and Finance teams to resolve reconciliation issues. • Define business requirements for system enhancements and validate production changes. • Respond to reconciliation and reporting requests from internal stakeholders and external partners. • Utilize AI tools to improve analytical efficiency and operational insights. Requirements • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a quantitative field (Master's degree preferred but not required). • 5+ years of experience in reconciliation, payment operations, settlements, accounting, finance analytics, or related fields. • Strong SQL skills with experience building automated reports and reconciliation queries. • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Lookups, and complex formulas. • Strong understanding of financial reconciliations, accounting principles, and money movement. • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. • Ability to manage recurring deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. Preferred Qualifications • Experience with payment card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). • Knowledge of payment rails including ACH, Wire, SWIFT, RTP, and FedNow. • Experience with reconciliation platforms, banking portals, and BI tools such as Looker or Tableau. • Exposure to month-end close, settlement reporting, fee reconciliation, regulatory reporting, SOX controls, or audit support. • Experience improving operational processes through automation and continuous improvement initiatives.