Accounting Policy Manager

Accounting Policy Manager 

San Ramon

Exp 10-15 years

Deg Bachelors

Relo

Bonus

Job Description

 Accounting Policy Manager

Responsible for managing a group of accounting positions that will provide accounting expertise to the various business line groups throughout Bank of the West. In addition to; this position is responsible for establishing relationships and a high-profile leadership role by providing accounting policy expertise to senior management and business group managers. Requires high-level expertise due to impact of decisions to the Bank.

Position Accountabilities

Research and monitoring

Acts as the bank's primary interface with accounting pronouncements, including, but not limited to those written by the following entities:

Securities & Exchange Commission

Financial Accounting Standards Board

International Accounting Standards Board

Derivatives Implementation Group

Emerging Issues Task Force

FDIC, Federal Reserve and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Maintains and updates the Accounting Policy Manual

Ensures that new pronouncements are reflected in the manual in a timely manner

Ensures that the Executive Management Committee and Audit Committee are informed of major changes

Presents to senior management, at their request or need, a basic understanding of certain accounting policies or issues. Also keeps Finance management apprised of exposure drafts and developments that may affect the Company by the pronouncement makers.

Prepares well-organized, comprehensive and pertinent white papers for complex issues and transactions.

Works with the Business Line Groups to ensure General Ledger balances related to large or complex transactions are properly stated in accordance with our Accounting Policy Manual and generally accepted accounting principles, and that major financial accounting procedures and controls are in place and functioning.

Works with the Business Line Groups on implementation of changes to the Bank's accounting policies, procedures, standards and controls.

Advises project teams on specific accounting issues pertinent to new products, major business and organizational events and system conversions, and upgrades and enhancements.

Interacts with BNPP Controller's Department when questions and issues arise that are related to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS); works with Business Line Groups to ensure that information and process needed to report transactions on an IFRS basis is captured. (BNPP Controller's Department has primary responsibility for maintaining the BNPP accounting policy manual based on IFRS).

Assists First Hawaiian Controller's Department in implementing GAAP; (that group has primary responsibility for implementing GAAP in First Hawaiian Bank).

Responsible for acting as a liaison between Controller's Department and Business Line Groups, working on significant and complex areas of bank accounting; managing the rest of the department to do the same.

Responsible for acting as the bank's primary interface with accounting pronouncements.

Manages staff including selection, motivation and performance management. Allocates resources effectively.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

10+ years professional level accounting experience with a Big 4 Accounting firm or 10 to 12+ years of professional level accounting experience

4+ years of progressive accounting policy and internal control experience while working in a lead/ managerial capacity or matrix situation in the banking / financial services industry

Thorough knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and regulatory accounting practices in financial institutions

Accounting policy implementation experience

Knowledge and understanding of accounting treatment / policy as it applies to different business groups / products (e.g. capital markets, derivatives, treasury, etc.)

Experience in change management and cross-functional work teams

Experience in evaluating and implementing internal controls

Knowledge of COSO framework

Analytical and research skills

Bank product and service knowledge

Negotiation skills

Composition skills

Coordinate meetings

Demonstrated management

Team / consensus building

Strong time management skills and the ability to effectively multi-task

Excel, Word, Access and / or Hyperion software

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Strong presentation skills with experience reporting to senior management

The ability to plan, execute and deliver on projects in a timely manner

Ability to work effectively across all divisions

Action and results oriented with a positive attitude and the ability to overcome obstacles

Supervise 2+ professional staff

May supervise employees in Business Line Groups assigned to or assisting with accounting policy related work

SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA