Director, Accounting Policy

If you’re looking for a meaningful career, you’ll find it here at Webster. Founded in 1935, our focus has always been to put people first--doing whatever we can to help individuals, families, businesses and our colleagues achieve their financial goals. As a leading commercial bank, we remain passionate about serving our clients and supporting our communities. Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Agility, Respect, Excellence are Webster’s values, these set us apart as a bank and as an employer. 

Come join our team where you can expand your career potential, benefit from our robust development opportunities, and enjoy meaningful work!

The Accounting Policy Director is responsible for the research, interpretation and application of current and pending accounting policy to determine proper treatment with US GAAP.  This person will monitor and proactively play a leadership role, internally and externally, in new potential accounting guidance and its implication on the firm and broader industry. This role is responsible for maintaining oversight of the adoption and compliance with any new accounting policies and will play a critical role in reviewing SEC and other regulatory filings to ensure accurate and policy compliant filings.

In this position, you will be an important business partner with deal teams and senior executives on new business transactions and other opportunities to ensure appropriate consideration of technical accounting ramifications and impact on the firm’s financial statements.

Moreover, this person will work with key stakeholders to ensure accounting process risks have been identified, assessed, and documented in accordance with SOX requirements. This includes assisting with risk control analyses, process flows and matrices necessary to support management’s internal control actions, particularly in connection with key accounting estimates.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for developing consistent and reliable accounting policies and procedures to prevent accounting risks from developing. Present new accounting policies and changes to the organization’s critical accounting policies to executive management as necessary.  
• Lead implementation efforts for new accounting standards.
• Review allowance for loan and lease loss methodologies, key assumptions and judgements for compliance with US GAAP.
• Review loan syndication agreements to determine appropriate income recognition, review adequacy of mortgage banking activities including repurchase reserve adequacy, servicing rights measurement and fair value measurements, etc. 
• Participate and assist with SEC financial reporting requirements, as needed.
• Provide technical position papers, research and memos for the organization in connection with all significant non-routine transactions as well as any new products and services while managing the technical team.
• SOX compliance support related to significant accounting estimates (e.g., goodwill impairment reviews, Impairment evaluation, Deferred tax positions, etc.) which shall include providing US GAAP leadership to control owners for internal control documentation, implementing/editing of new and existing controls as needed. Work with auditors and related parties on all SOX activities particularly for significant accounting estimates to ensure SOX 404 compliance
• Monitor current accounting and regulatory developments and providing updates to senior management on the impact that new developments may have on the organization. 
• Consult with business units and external auditors on technical accounting matters and the application and development of accounting policies. Ensure all new products and services are US GAAP complaint.
• Lead the preparation of certain financial reporting disclosures (MD&A and Footnotes) for completed transactions and work closely with the financial reporting team to support the filing of quarterly and annual SEC and bank regulatory reports to ensure appropriate disclosures are made in accordance with US GAAP and regulatory disclosure rules and requirements. 
• Provide training to management and staff on accounting policies. 
• Assist in representing the organization externally on matters affiliated with accounting policies by taking active part in industry-wide relationships and associated organizational meetings

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and CPA Preferred
• 5-8 years+ of accounting experience, preferably with some public accounting experience.
• Banking experience is a plus.

• Ability to manage a project including development and tracking of timelines/action plans.

• Strong communication and stakeholder relationship building skills.

• Strong analytical skills, written and verbal communication skills.

• A willingness and awareness of the need to communicate outside of the division, educate constituents and influence others.

• Ability to benchmark peers and seek continuous improvement in the company's reporting.

• Strong professional skills and presence; an ability to interact with senior executives.

• Strong technical accounting knowledge of US GAAP.

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management.
• Strong attention to details and can analyze information quickly

The estimated salary range for this position is $135,000USD to $165,000USD. Actual salary may vary up or down depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position is eligible for incentive compensation.

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