Job Overview:The Director, Technical Accounting and Accounting Research will be a senior leader within the Global Coffee Company's Controllership organization, responsible for leading the technical accounting and accounting research function and serving as the company's center of excellence for complex accounting matters, accounting policy, and SEC reporting support.
This role is focused on researching, concluding, and documenting the accounting for complex and non-routine transactions under U.S. GAAP; supporting the External Reporting team on SEC filings and related disclosures; and providing technical guidance on the conversion between U.S. GAAP and IFRS concepts required for statutory reporting across the company's international jurisdictions. The role will partner closely with External Reporting, Consolidations, statutory reporting and Global Shared Services teams, legal, tax, treasury, commercial and operations, and external auditors to evaluate transactions and ensure they are appropriately reflected and disclosed in the company's financial statements.
This leader will serve as a trusted advisor on technical accounting matters, accounting policy, new accounting pronouncements, and cross-functional business initiatives. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical accountant with deep U.S. GAAP expertise, working knowledge of IFRS, strong accounting research and memo-writing discipline, executive communication skills, and the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Accounting Leadership- Lead the research, documentation, and resolution of technical accounting matters in accordance with U.S. GAAP, SEC guidance, and company accounting policies, and determine the appropriate accounting treatment for complex and non-routine transactions.
- Author and maintain technical accounting position papers, whitepapers, and memoranda that clearly document the facts, authoritative guidance, analysis, and conclusions reached, and that withstand internal and external audit scrutiny.
- Monitor, interpret, and communicate new and emerging accounting standards and SEC rulemaking, including evaluating the implications of new pronouncements on accounting policies, disclosures, and financial reporting.
- Lead the implementation of new accounting standards and provide periodic training to finance and accounting teams on new and emerging accounting guidance.
- Provide technical accounting expertise for complex transactions, contracts, proposed structuring, business initiatives, revenue arrangements, leases, derivatives and hedging, business combinations, investments, equity and stock-based compensation, and financing structures.
- Support management on mergers, acquisition, divestiture, and separation activities, including valuation coordination, purchase price accounting, and related transaction accounting documentation.
- Own and maintain the company's accounting policy and technical memo library, ensuring policies remain current with authoritative guidance and are applied consistently across the organization.
SEC Reporting Support & Close Process- Partner with the External Reporting team on the preparation and review of Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, registration statements, and other SEC filings, providing technical support for complex disclosures and new disclosure requirements.
- Active participation and cross functional partnership to support the monthly, quarterly and annual close process within Controllership team.
- Draft and review technical footnote disclosures for complex accounting matters and perform disclosure checklist and peer benchmarking reviews against SEC and FASB requirements.
- Support preparation of Audit and Finance committee communications and presentations to the Board.
- Support the preparation of pro forma and carve-out financial information, as well as responses to SEC comment letters, in coordination with External Reporting, legal, and external auditors.
- Provide technical input to the Consolidations team on the accounting conclusions underlying consolidated results, without responsibility for close, consolidation, or ledger ownership.
Statutory Reporting and U.S. GAAP to IFRS Conversion- Serve as the technical resource on differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRS, providing guidance to local finance teams and Global Shared Services on the conversion of U.S. GAAP results to IFRS for statutory reporting purposes.
- Research, document, and maintain a library of recurring GAAP-to-IFRS differences and conversion positions across key jurisdictions, covering areas such as revenue, leases, financial instruments, impairment, income taxes, pensions, and business combinations.
- Review and challenge significant conversion adjustments and related documentation to ensure consistency of application and appropriate support for statutory audits.
- Support local statutory audits by resolving technical accounting questions raised by component auditors and advising on IFRS or local GAAP disclosure requirements.
Governance, Controls, and Audit Support- Lead the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment process, including the technical analysis, valuation coordination, and supporting documentation.
- Manage or support the non-GAAP governance process, including interaction with senior finance leadership and alignment with SEC guidance on non-GAAP measures.
- Ensure technical accounting conclusions, policy decisions, and related documentation are supported by appropriate internal controls, including controls over accounting research and the review of significant judgments.
- Serve as a primary liaison with internal and external auditors on technical accounting topics, new accounting pronouncements, and their application to the company, ensuring timely support and effective issue resolution.
Cross-Functional Partnership and Business Support- Work closely with External Reporting, Consolidations, statutory reporting and Global Shared Services teams, legal, tax, treasury, commercial, and operational teams to address technical accounting questions and support business initiatives, developing a deep understanding of dependencies across these functions.
- Engage early on new business initiatives, contracts, and transactions to identify accounting implications, assess reporting and disclosure consequences, and advise on structuring considerations before deals are executed.
- Prepare and present analyses, reports, and materials for management and senior leadership.
- Perform special projects and ad hoc analyses as directed by accounting and finance leadership.
Process Improvement and Transformation- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the company's accounting policies, technical research protocols, and documentation standards, driving consistency in how complex accounting matters are analyzed and concluded.
- Maintain a hands-on approach to solving complex accounting and reporting challenges, adapting to changes in responsibilities and organizational priorities while continuing to execute against key objectives.
Team / Cross functional Leadership- Lead, develop, and engage the technical accounting team and other cross functional teams, providing ongoing guidance, support, coaching, performance feedback, and career development.
- Establish clear goals, accountability, and expectations through regular conversations, one-on-one discussions, performance reviews, and talent calibration processes.
- Identify technical, professional, and interpersonal development opportunities for team members and cross functional team members.
Total Rewards:- Salary Range: $155,500- $190,000
- Actual placement within the compensation range may vary depending on experience, skills, and other factors
- Benefits, subject to election and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Paid Time Off (including paid parental leave, vacation, and sick time), 401k with company match, Tuition Reimbursement, and Mileage Reimbursement
- Annual bonus based on performance and eligibility
Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred
- Active CPA license required.
- 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including technical accounting, financial reporting, and/or external audit experience.
- Demonstrated depth in U.S. GAAP research and application to complex, non-routine transactions, with working knowledge of IFRS and the ability to bridge U.S. GAAP and IFRS concepts for statutory reporting.
- Prior experience leading, managing and developing teams of technical accounting professionals.
Preferred Qualifications- 6+ years of experience with a Big 4 public accounting firm and additional experience with a large accelerated SEC filer or Fortune 500 company.
- Experience in consumer products, CPG, food, retail, coffee, beverage, or related industries.
- SAP experience preferred.
- Experience with revenue recognition, leases, derivatives and hedging, business combinations, investments, financing structures, stock-based compensation, impairment analyses, non-GAAP governance, and SEC reporting support.
