Director, Technical Accounting

Cetera Financial Group - El Segundo, CA

Full-time - Senior

Remote - 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, working closely with the business to support specific accounting interpretations. You will monitor the development and applicability of emerging accounting and reporting requirements being deliberated by the SEC, FASB, PCAOB, and other regulatory bodies. Assessing and implementing accounting policies and procedures for current and newly issued GAAP standards will be a key responsibility, including the development of project plans and keeping management informed on the impact. You will ensure clear and concise written documentation of accounting conclusions, accounting policies, and management's response to control findings. Overseeing the preparation and filing of all external financial reporting documents and related SEC filings for the parent company and five broker-dealer subsidiaries will be part of your duties. As the key liaison with external auditors, you will work to ensure financial statement audits are completed timely while maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting. This includes analyzing current controls and processes and recommending changes to develop and implement best practices. Researching and documenting accounting treatment for complex M&A and related transactions, including preparation of opening balance sheets, will be essential. You will coordinate with external advisors and oversee documentation of valuation of intangible assets, contingent consideration, stock compensation, reserves, etc. Collaboration with and support for key members of the leadership team will be crucial, as well as leading the preparation of Audit Committee and related Board materials. Additionally, 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Be 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 sheet 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 the 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.