Workday Financials Principal Consultant

As a Principal Consultant, you will help “bridge the gap” between the business and technical teams by solving complex Workday intersystem problems, guiding customers through the transformation, implementation, and operation phases of a Workday implementation. You will be a “go to” implementation leader, expected to provide expert guidance and delivery for Financials engagements.

This individual serves as a billable functional lead on Workday Financials implementations, working closely with Engagement Managers, Managers, and functional area leads. This person will provide overarching guidance and leadership on Workday Financials government engagements to ensure a robust and complete solution that meets customer needs and allows for future enhancements with limited rework. This role will report directly to Financials Federal Solutions Practice Delivery leader.

Key Areas of Responsibility

  • Lead multiple, concurrent Workday Financials implementations
  • Deliver Foundation Data Model (FDM) design sessions on Workday Financials Implementations
  • Oversee overall functional design on assigned implementations, ensuring efficient and accurate design and configuration of the delivered solution
  • Utilize CynergyTM methodology to deliver Workday Financials implementations
  • Mentor junior project resources by providing guidance allowing them to learn new skills and functional areas, lead customer sessions, and configure the solution
  • Serve as an advocate and escalation point for the EM and functional team and ensure issues are being addressed
  • Help team to understand and adhere to methodology and provide feedback to appropriate parties internally to support continuous enhancement of our tools and process
  • Continuous commitment to the ongoing optimization of the CynergyTM methodology, which includes driving team members to keep these tools current
  • Ensures cohesive structures and project communications are in place for cross‑functional delivery between their area and the following areas: HCM, Payroll, Integrations, Financials, Organizational Change & Training, Data Conversion, and Reporting
  • Conduct internal Quality Assurance for Financials implementation
  • Assist engagement/project managers and team members when needed to identify project needs and develop solutions and strategies
  • Drive team and individuals to achieve high customer satisfaction levels
  • Assist with strategic company and practice initiatives
  • Actively participate in the Workday Product Lead Program
  • Attend regular Workday KSS calls for Financials product areas
  • Maintain Workday certifications through the biannual update process
  • Assist Solution Architects with scoping and estimating projects, as necessary
  • Participate in Sales Orals meetings for proposed assignments
  • Participating in discussions regarding functional areas that may come into scope for project or customer
  • Assisting with or reviewing estimates for Change Orders in functional areas

Skills and Experience

  • Current Workday Financials Certification, preferred but not required
  • Possess 10+ years customer‑facing experience with Federal agencies implementing Financial ERP Systems
  • Possess project management and/or team lead experience
  • Required characteristics: clear communicator, fast learner, detail oriented, decisive, and enjoy fast paced work environments while working well with and across teams to accomplish stated objectives effectively and efficiently
  • Possess Sales engagement experience estimating and presenting to prospects
  • Experience gathering requirements, designing, prototyping, testing, and deploying solutions to meet customer requirements
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively manage customer expectations
  • Excellent problem‑solving skills and strong attention to detail
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • Ability to travel up to 50%

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until 05/11/2026

The annual salary for this position is between USD $106,171 – USD $159,257 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

  • Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
  • Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
  • 401(k) plan and contributions
  • Long‑term/Short‑term Disability
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Why choose Cognizant

  • Entrepreneurial environment that welcomes your ideas
  • Opportunity to do great work
  • Outreach programs that support communities and tap into your volunteer spirit
  • Learning opportunities to help current needs and advancement
  • Global operations, with opportunities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific
  • An abundance of Affinity groups to meet your needs

Cognizant Core Values

  • Work as One: We think beyond roles, relying on each other’s strengths to win as a team.
  • Raise the Bar: We always aim for excellence in how we work and what we deliver.
  • Dare to Innovate: We push boundaries and take chances to reimagine what’s possible.
  • Do the Right Thing: We all lead with integrity and always make the ethical choice.
  • Own It: We own the outcomes for our company, colleagues, and community.
Back to blog
Ads

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...