Director, Technical Accounting

Cetera Financial Group - El Segundo, CA

Full-time - Senior

El Segundo, CA

Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities

About the position

Cetera Financial Group (CFG) is seeking a Director, Technical Accounting who will lead a team responsible for overseeing technical accounting research and analysis for the parent entity and its broker-dealer subsidiary. This leadership role involves managing all communications with senior leadership, external auditors, and examiners on technical accounting and reporting matters. The Director will be the subject matter expert, ensuring compliance with GAAP and SEC pronouncements and overseeing the preparation and filing of all reporting documents. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with corporate development, legal, FP&A, treasury, and other departments to achieve common goals. In this position, you will provide guidance on technical accounting issues related to new products and complex transactions. You will work closely with the business to provide support on specific accounting interpretations and monitor the development and applicability of emerging accounting and reporting requirements being deliberated by the SEC, FASB, PCAOB, and other regulatory bodies. You will assess and implement accounting policies and procedures for current and newly issued GAAP standards, including the development of project plans, and keep management informed on the impact. Your responsibilities will also include ensuring clear and concise written documentation of accounting conclusions, accounting policies, and management’s response to control findings. You will oversee the preparation and filing of all external financial reporting documents and related SEC filings for the parent company and five broker-dealer subsidiaries. As the key liaison with the external auditors, you will work to ensure financial statement audits are completed timely and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting. You will analyze current controls and processes and recommend changes to develop and implement best practices. Additionally, you will research and document accounting treatment for complex M&A and related transactions, including preparation of opening balance sheets in the form of a walk-across document. Coordination with external advisors and oversight of documentation of valuation of intangible assets, contingent consideration, stock compensation, reserves, etc., will also be part of your role. You will collaborate with and support key members of the leadership team and serve as a key member of the Disclosure Committee, leading the preparation of Audit Committee and related Board materials. Finally, you will support the Controllership on other ad hoc projects and requests as determined by management.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on technical accounting issues related to new products and complex transactions.
• Work closely with the business to provide support on specific accounting interpretations.
• Monitor the development and applicability of emerging accounting and reporting requirements being deliberated by the SEC, FASB, PCAOB, and other regulatory bodies.
• Assess and implement accounting policies and procedures for current and newly issued GAAP standards, including the development of project plans.
• Keep management informed on the impact of accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure clear and concise written documentation of accounting conclusions, accounting policies, and management’s response to control findings.
• Oversee preparation and filing of all external financial reporting documents and related SEC filings for the parent company and five broker-dealer subsidiaries.
• Act as the key liaison with the external auditors on the audit and with other external parties.
• Maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting.
• Analyze current controls and processes and recommend changes to develop and implement best practices.
• Research and document accounting treatment for complex M&A and related transactions, including preparation of opening balance sheets in the form of a walk-across document.
• Coordinate with external advisors and oversee documentation of valuation of intangible assets, contingent consideration, stock compensation, reserves, etc.
• Collaborate with and support key members of the leadership team and serve as a key member of the Disclosure Committee.
• Lead preparation of Audit Committee and related Board materials.
• Support the Controllership on other ad hoc projects and requests as determined by management.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree in Accounting, or related field, and extensive knowledge of GAAP accounting principles.
• CPA license.
• Detailed, analytical individual with 12+ years of progressive public/private accounting experience, including a minimum of 5-8 years of 'Big 4' public accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and SEC reporting requirements.
• Working experience with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
• Prior management experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Prior experience in broker-dealer or financial services industry preferred.
• Ability to analyze problems, actively strategize to resolve such problems, solid organization skills, and a proven track record of process improvement and standardization.
• Excellent oral and written communication and strong presentation skills.
• Efficient, motivated individual with the ability to work both independently and as part of a broader team.
• Strong PC skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.