Role Description

The Director of Compensation Accounting at SMBC is a senior leadership role responsible for end-to-end ownership of accounting, reporting, controls, and governance over all personnel-related expenses (payroll, bonus, benefits, deferred compensation).
This role leads a team within the Controller/Finance organization and partners closely with HR, Payroll, FP&A, and senior management to ensure accurate financial reporting, robust controls, and strategic insights into compensation costs.

Role Objectives: Responsibilities

Leadership & Functional Ownership - Lead the Compensation Accounting function across SMBC Americas. Oversee a team responsible for Payroll accounting, Bonus and incentive compensation accounting, Benefits and deferred compensation. Set the vision, strategy, and operating model for compensation accounting.
Financial Close & Reporting Oversight - Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close for all personnel expense accounts. Review and approve journal entries for payroll, bonus, and accruals. Financial statement disclosures related to compensation, Ensure reporting aligns with US GAAP / IFRS / J-GAAP requirements.
Accruals, Estimates & Analytics - Oversee complex accrual methodologies, including Bonus pools and incentive plans, deferred compensation and retention awards. Provide executive-level analytics on Compensation trends, Variance drivers vs. budget/forecast. Partner with FP&A to ensure accurate forecasting of personnel costs.
Controls, Governance & Risk Management - Design, implement, and enhance internal controls framework over compensation accounting. Ensure compliance with SOX controls, internal policies and global standards. Oversee audit readiness and remediation of control deficiencies.
Balance Sheet Integrity & Reconciliations - Ensure integrity of compensation-related balance sheet accounts, including Accrued payroll, bonus liabilities, benefits payables. Review and challenge account reconciliations and aging items.
Audit, Regulatory & External Reporting - Serve as key point of contact for External auditors, Internal audit and Regulatory exams. Oversee preparation of supporting schedules, disclosures and documentation. Ensure adherence to regulatory expectations in a large global banking environment.
Systems, Transformation & Process Improvement - Drive automation and optimization across Payroll and HRIS integrations and General ledger systems. Lead initiatives to standardize processes, improve data quality and reporting timeliness. Leverage technology and advanced Excel / data tools to enhance efficiency.
Business Partnering & Stakeholder Management - Act as senior finance partner to HR / Compensation & Benefits, Payroll and Senior Finance leadership. Provide insight into compensation strategy impacts on financials. Support executive decision-making on compensation structures and cost optimization.

Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
10-15+ years' experience in Compensation and/or Equity Based Accounting leadership, ideally within banking or financial services.

Knowledge of financial reporting, balance sheets and general accounting practices including U.S. GAAP and IFRS
Experience with financial statements including footnotes and working with external auditors
Experience with general ledger functions and the month-end/year close process
Strong analytic and problem- solving skills
Strong organizational skills, detail oriented with ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Extensive Excel experience required; Oracle Cloud GL and Alteryx knowledge a plus
CPA preferred

Additional Requirements

SMBC's employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required.