Application Guide

How to Apply for Securities and Compliance Paralegal

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations transparently communicate their climate impact and compliance. As a remote-first company, they value flexibility and innovation, making them an attractive choice for professionals seeking work-life balance while working on cutting-edge regulatory technology.

About This Role

This role is central to Workiva's public company compliance, managing SEC filings, insider trading administration, and corporate governance. You'll ensure accurate and timely disclosures, directly supporting the company's commitment to transparency and regulatory excellence.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start by reviewing the SEC filing calendar and coordinating with the legal team on upcoming deadlines. You could spend the morning drafting a Form 8-K for a material event, then move to processing insider trading preclearance requests and updating Section 16 filings. After lunch, you might prepare board materials for an upcoming meeting and end the day by auditing EDGAR Next accounts for accuracy.

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🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • A detail-oriented paralegal with 4+ years of experience in securities law, specifically handling SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements) and Section 16 reports.
  • Proficient with EDGAR and EDGAR Next, plus familiarity with Shareworks, Computershare, or Monday.com for stock administration and compliance workflows.
  • Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential information, with advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Copilot).
  • Experience supporting corporate governance tasks like maintaining policies, committee charters, and board materials for a public company.

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Highlight specific experience with EDGAR Next and Section 16 filings in your resume, noting the number of filings managed.

2

Show proficiency with Workiva's own software (Wdesk) if you've used it, as it's a key tool for SEC reporting.

3

Tailor your cover letter to mention ESG or sustainability reporting, aligning with Workiva's mission.

4

Quantify achievements, e.g., 'Managed 20+ 10-K filings with zero SEC comments' or 'Reduced filing errors by 30%.'

5

Demonstrate remote work readiness by mentioning your home office setup or experience with virtual collaboration tools.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your hands-on experience with SEC filings and Section 16 reporting, including specific forms and deadlines managed.', 'Highlight your familiarity with corporate governance tasks like drafting board materials and maintaining compliance policies.', 'Mention your proficiency with EDGAR Next and other tools listed in the requirements, showing you can hit the ground running.', "Connect your interest in the role to Workiva's ESG focus, expressing enthusiasm for transparent reporting and climate impact."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Workiva's latest 10-K and proxy statement to understand their current disclosures and governance structure.
  • → Read about Workiva's ESG solutions and how they help clients with climate reporting, as this ties into the company mission.
  • → Explore the EDGAR Next system updates to discuss how you'd adapt to new SEC requirements.
  • → Look up recent news about Workiva's growth, partnerships, or regulatory developments in ESG reporting.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your process for drafting and filing a Form 10-Q, including how you coordinate with teams.
2 How do you handle insider trading preclearance requests and maintain the Section 16 reporting calendar?
3 Describe a time you identified a compliance risk in SEC filings and how you addressed it.
4 How would you use Workiva's software (Wdesk) to streamline the filing process?
5 What experience do you have with ESG or sustainability reporting, and how does it relate to this role?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't overlook the importance of EDGAR Next proficiency—failing to mention it can signal outdated skills.
  • Avoid generic claims like 'I'm detail-oriented' without specific examples of filing accuracy or error reduction.
  • Don't neglect to discuss remote work experience; assuming it's easy without proof can hurt your candidacy.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Workiva!

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